Anna Amnell lives in Helsinki. She lived her childhood and school years in the rural area of Finland. She was an AFS-exchange student to the United States, was in Cyprus in 1974 and lived in Canada during the 1980s. She has Master's degree from the University of Helsinki and has been a house-wife, and worked as a free lance journalist and teacher. She started writing fiction in her fifties. Anna Amnell is member of The Union of Finnish Writers, Writers in Helsinki and Finnish Writers for Children and Young People. She is married and has three adult children.
Author's picture: Turun Tietokuva
Anna Amnell http://www.nuorisokirjailijat.fi/amnell-anna.html
Author's picture: Turun Tietokuva
Anna Amnell http://www.nuorisokirjailijat.fi/amnell-anna.html
Anna Amnell: Lucia and Luka
[written in Finnish. Lucia ja Luka. Kyynärän mittainen tyttö ja poika]
Helsinki, Finland. Books on Demand
B/W illustration by Matti Amnell.(info suomeksi, an interview in English)
2013, 120 pages ISBN 978-952-498-842-1
Cover: Jan van Hemessen: Die Goldwägerin
bpk/Gemäldegalerie, SMB/Jörg P. Anders
Historical novel for young readers, 8-15 years old.
Order from Books on Demand (BoD) Price: € 19 90 *tax included
Themes: the 16th century, 1562-1563, Turku, Wittenberg, Prince John of Finland, Catharine Jagellon, renaissance court in Turku, Finland, growth hormone deficiency, Erik XIV of Sweden, Ivan the Terrible, Lucia Olavsdaughter, Luka of Dalmatia, friendship, romantic love.
For several years Anna Amnell has done meticulous research on the 16th century. "Lucia and Luka" [Lucia ja Luka] is her seventh historical novel for young readers.
”Anna Amnell tells us about her journey as a writer of children’s books from Italian renaissance to Turku castle through three books. Her heroine is Lucia, short in stature, who comes to the court of Duke John and Catherine Jagellon in Turku, in the middle of the 16th century. The background of the plot is a vast non-fiction part which deals with genetics and disturbances in growth, among other things. Besides Turku, Tallinn is also a scene of Amnell’s books, and the various ways of social behaviour are described, too.” Vuokko Jokinen – Summary. Tyyris Tyllerö , a journal of children´s culture 4/2013, a special Turku edition, Ismo Loivamaa, editor.
[written in Finnish. Lucia ja Luka. Kyynärän mittainen tyttö ja poika]
Helsinki, Finland. Books on Demand
B/W illustration by Matti Amnell.(info suomeksi, an interview in English)
2013, 120 pages ISBN 978-952-498-842-1
Cover: Jan van Hemessen: Die Goldwägerin
bpk/Gemäldegalerie, SMB/Jörg P. Anders
Historical novel for young readers, 8-15 years old.
Order from Books on Demand (BoD) Price: € 19 90 *tax included
Themes: the 16th century, 1562-1563, Turku, Wittenberg, Prince John of Finland, Catharine Jagellon, renaissance court in Turku, Finland, growth hormone deficiency, Erik XIV of Sweden, Ivan the Terrible, Lucia Olavsdaughter, Luka of Dalmatia, friendship, romantic love.
For several years Anna Amnell has done meticulous research on the 16th century. "Lucia and Luka" [Lucia ja Luka] is her seventh historical novel for young readers.
”Anna Amnell tells us about her journey as a writer of children’s books from Italian renaissance to Turku castle through three books. Her heroine is Lucia, short in stature, who comes to the court of Duke John and Catherine Jagellon in Turku, in the middle of the 16th century. The background of the plot is a vast non-fiction part which deals with genetics and disturbances in growth, among other things. Besides Turku, Tallinn is also a scene of Amnell’s books, and the various ways of social behaviour are described, too.” Vuokko Jokinen – Summary. Tyyris Tyllerö , a journal of children´s culture 4/2013, a special Turku edition, Ismo Loivamaa, editor.
Anna Amnell: An Escape to Tallinn
[written in Finnish, Pako Tallinnaan]
Lasten Keskus ISBN 951-627-595-8
Helsinki, Finland. Historical novel for young readers, 8-15 years old.
Written in Finnish.
B/W illustration by Matti Amnell.
Themes: the 16th century, growth hormone deficiency, Helsinki, Tallinn, child marriages, students, friendship, adventure, life in a medieval town, death, father.
17-year old Lucia is only 81cm tall. She comes to Helsinki to teach 13-year old Margareta to play lute. She has also a secret task to perform. Margareta is tall and beautiful. When her father dies her stepmother wants to marry her to a strange old man. The girls decide to escape to Tallinn to Margareta's uncle. It is winter, it is cold. Will the sea be frozen? Can they skate or walk over the sea to safety?
[written in Finnish, Pako Tallinnaan]
Lasten Keskus ISBN 951-627-595-8
Helsinki, Finland. Historical novel for young readers, 8-15 years old.
Written in Finnish.
B/W illustration by Matti Amnell.
Themes: the 16th century, growth hormone deficiency, Helsinki, Tallinn, child marriages, students, friendship, adventure, life in a medieval town, death, father.
17-year old Lucia is only 81cm tall. She comes to Helsinki to teach 13-year old Margareta to play lute. She has also a secret task to perform. Margareta is tall and beautiful. When her father dies her stepmother wants to marry her to a strange old man. The girls decide to escape to Tallinn to Margareta's uncle. It is winter, it is cold. Will the sea be frozen? Can they skate or walk over the sea to safety?
Anna Amnell: An Ell-Sized Girl
[written in Finnish, Kyynärän mittainen tyttö]
2004. Lasten Keskus
ISBN 951-627-486-2
"An Ell-Sized Girl" was shortlisted for Lasten LukuVarkaus -2005, a national children's book prize, which is given each year for the best children's book.
Helsinki, Finland. Historical novel for young readers, 8-15 years old.
B/W illustration by Matti Amnell.
Themes: The 16th century, growth hormone deficiency, family, friendship, the Baltic Sea, Gotland, the Fens, Ely, London. Elizabeth I, Prince John of Finland in London.
Thirteen-year-old Lucia Olavintytär [fictitious character] is 2 ft 8 inches tall ( 81 cm). She lives a sheltered life at a rural manor house in the middle of the Finnish forests. Lucia and her brothers are given a good education by their father, a former monk. Lucia is good singer and lute player, she speaks and writes Latin fluently. Her father knows Lucia's worth in the sixteenth century world and tries to protect her. People like her were sold, kidnapped and donated to the kings and queens at the European courts to be used as companions, entertainers and nurses of the royal children.
On an early spring morning in 1559 Lucia goes to her usual ride accompanied by her servant boy. In a moment Lucia's life is changed. She is kidnapped and taken by boat first to Gotland and then to the Fens, the ancient swamplands of England, to be trained and sold to be a dwarf and spy at the court of the young Queen Elizabeth. What will happen to Lucia?
[written in Finnish, Kyynärän mittainen tyttö]
2004. Lasten Keskus
ISBN 951-627-486-2
"An Ell-Sized Girl" was shortlisted for Lasten LukuVarkaus -2005, a national children's book prize, which is given each year for the best children's book.
Helsinki, Finland. Historical novel for young readers, 8-15 years old.
B/W illustration by Matti Amnell.
Themes: The 16th century, growth hormone deficiency, family, friendship, the Baltic Sea, Gotland, the Fens, Ely, London. Elizabeth I, Prince John of Finland in London.
Thirteen-year-old Lucia Olavintytär [fictitious character] is 2 ft 8 inches tall ( 81 cm). She lives a sheltered life at a rural manor house in the middle of the Finnish forests. Lucia and her brothers are given a good education by their father, a former monk. Lucia is good singer and lute player, she speaks and writes Latin fluently. Her father knows Lucia's worth in the sixteenth century world and tries to protect her. People like her were sold, kidnapped and donated to the kings and queens at the European courts to be used as companions, entertainers and nurses of the royal children.
On an early spring morning in 1559 Lucia goes to her usual ride accompanied by her servant boy. In a moment Lucia's life is changed. She is kidnapped and taken by boat first to Gotland and then to the Fens, the ancient swamplands of England, to be trained and sold to be a dwarf and spy at the court of the young Queen Elizabeth. What will happen to Lucia?
In Anna Amnell's "novel An Ell-Sized Girl (Kyynärän mittainen tyttö, 2004) the idea of difference is explored from the perspective of a short girl captured and taken to the court of Elizabeth I to live as a court dwarf." Kaisu Rättyä. virtualfinland.fi
"Anna Amnell-- traite pour sa part de la différence dans Kyynärän mittainen tyttö (Haute d’une aune, 2004) en évoquant le destin d’une enfant de petite taille enlevée pour servir de lutin à la cour de la reine Élisabeth Ire."
(Virtual Finland)
In Anna Amnells "Roman Kyynärän mittainen tyttö (Das eine Elle große Mädchen, 2004) wird das Anderssein mit Hilfe des Schicksals eines Mädchens behandelt, das geraubt wird, um als Hofzwerg von Elisabeth I. zu dienen." (Virtual Finland)
"En su novela Una chica de un codo de altura (Kyynärän mittainen tyttö, 2004), Anna Amnell -- trata el tema de las diferencias a través de una narración sobre destino de una adolescente enana que es raptada y llevada a la corte de la reina Isabel I."(Virtual Finland)
"Anna Amnell-- traite pour sa part de la différence dans Kyynärän mittainen tyttö (Haute d’une aune, 2004) en évoquant le destin d’une enfant de petite taille enlevée pour servir de lutin à la cour de la reine Élisabeth Ire."
(Virtual Finland)
In Anna Amnells "Roman Kyynärän mittainen tyttö (Das eine Elle große Mädchen, 2004) wird das Anderssein mit Hilfe des Schicksals eines Mädchens behandelt, das geraubt wird, um als Hofzwerg von Elisabeth I. zu dienen." (Virtual Finland)
"En su novela Una chica de un codo de altura (Kyynärän mittainen tyttö, 2004), Anna Amnell -- trata el tema de las diferencias a través de una narración sobre destino de una adolescente enana que es raptada y llevada a la corte de la reina Isabel I."(Virtual Finland)
Anna Amnell: Vaahteralaakson Aurora. 2014. A Compiled edition of Aurora -books. Cover: Matti Amnell
Anna Amnell's Aurora-books
NEW:
http://annaamnell.weebly.com/elokuussa-vaahteralaakson-aurora-2014-aurora-1-3-yksissauml-kansissa.html
Anna Amnell's Aurora-books
NEW:
Anna Amnell: Vaahteralaakson Aurora 2014, a new compiled edition of Aurora-books
http://annaamnell.weebly.com/elokuussa-vaahteralaakson-aurora-2014-aurora-1-3-
Aurora-books
(1991, 1993, 1995, 1999): immigration, children as servants, Canadian nature, art, friendship. A Finnish school girl in Helsinki and Toronto. All Aurora-books are sold out. You can find them in libraries. First three Aurora-books were published by the name Pirkko Pekkarinen.
A notice in a guidebook for Finnish elementary teachers about Anna Amnell's fiction: "detailed description of history, milieu and manners. - - History brought to life." Härkönen & Karjarinta & Pakarinen (Editors): Non-fiction and fiction for elementary schools. Helsinki 1994.
Blinnikka, Vuokko: Pirkko Pekkarinen [Anna Amnell]. – Kotimaisia lasten- ja nuortenkirjailijoita 2. Toim. Ismo Loivamaa. Hki 1999: BTJ Kirjastopalvelu, s. 197-199.
Blinnikka, Vuokko: Anna Amnell. – Kotimaisia lasten- ja nuortenkirjailijoita 3. Toim. Ismo Loivamaa. Hki 2001: BTJ Kirjastopalvelu, s. 10-13.
"Aurora and the valley of sugar maples
[written in Finnish, "Aurora, Vaahteralaakson tyttö"]. 1991, 2nd pr. 1992.
Publisher: Kirjapaja. ISBN 951-625-089-4 [Published by the name 'Pirkko Pekkarinen]
Themes: 1903, russification in Finland, immigration to Canada, Canadian nature, valleys of Toronto, Edwardian lifestyle, children as servants, suffragettes, romantic love, history.
Aurora's journalist father is expelled from the grandduchy of Finland. Aurora follows him to Toronto in 1903 and works as servant girl in an Edwardian household.
"Aurora and her cousins from Saint Petersburg."
[written in Finnish, Aurora ja Pietarin serkut.]. 1993. Publisher: Kirjapaja. ISBN 951-625-158-7[Published by the name 'Pirkko Pekkarinen]
Aurora studies art in Helsinki. Her cousin Olga comes to school to Finland.
Themes: romantic love, Helsinki, 1905 general strike, school. The 1905 general strike from the point of view of schoolgirls and a non-Socialist family, history, children as servants, romantic love, Finnish-Russian families.
"The time of the passenger pigeons."
[written in Finnish, Aurora ja villikyyhkysten aika.] 1991. Publisher: Kirjapaja. ISBN 951-625-350-4
[Published by the name 'Pirkko Pekkarinen]
Aurora returns for a summer in Toronto with her Canadian fiancé Thomas. There is a ghost in the greenhouse and in the valley. An Edwardian summer in Toronto. Servants' life in a manor.
Themes: Toronto, Canada's nature, children as servants, ghosts, Edwardian lifestyle, valleys in Toronto, romantic love.
NEW:
http://annaamnell.weebly.com/elokuussa-vaahteralaakson-aurora-2014-aurora-1-3-yksissauml-kansissa.html
Anna Amnell's Aurora-books
NEW:
Anna Amnell: Vaahteralaakson Aurora 2014, a new compiled edition of Aurora-books
http://annaamnell.weebly.com/elokuussa-vaahteralaakson-aurora-2014-aurora-1-3-
Aurora-books
(1991, 1993, 1995, 1999): immigration, children as servants, Canadian nature, art, friendship. A Finnish school girl in Helsinki and Toronto. All Aurora-books are sold out. You can find them in libraries. First three Aurora-books were published by the name Pirkko Pekkarinen.
A notice in a guidebook for Finnish elementary teachers about Anna Amnell's fiction: "detailed description of history, milieu and manners. - - History brought to life." Härkönen & Karjarinta & Pakarinen (Editors): Non-fiction and fiction for elementary schools. Helsinki 1994.
Blinnikka, Vuokko: Pirkko Pekkarinen [Anna Amnell]. – Kotimaisia lasten- ja nuortenkirjailijoita 2. Toim. Ismo Loivamaa. Hki 1999: BTJ Kirjastopalvelu, s. 197-199.
Blinnikka, Vuokko: Anna Amnell. – Kotimaisia lasten- ja nuortenkirjailijoita 3. Toim. Ismo Loivamaa. Hki 2001: BTJ Kirjastopalvelu, s. 10-13.
"Aurora and the valley of sugar maples
[written in Finnish, "Aurora, Vaahteralaakson tyttö"]. 1991, 2nd pr. 1992.
Publisher: Kirjapaja. ISBN 951-625-089-4 [Published by the name 'Pirkko Pekkarinen]
Themes: 1903, russification in Finland, immigration to Canada, Canadian nature, valleys of Toronto, Edwardian lifestyle, children as servants, suffragettes, romantic love, history.
Aurora's journalist father is expelled from the grandduchy of Finland. Aurora follows him to Toronto in 1903 and works as servant girl in an Edwardian household.
"Aurora and her cousins from Saint Petersburg."
[written in Finnish, Aurora ja Pietarin serkut.]. 1993. Publisher: Kirjapaja. ISBN 951-625-158-7[Published by the name 'Pirkko Pekkarinen]
Aurora studies art in Helsinki. Her cousin Olga comes to school to Finland.
Themes: romantic love, Helsinki, 1905 general strike, school. The 1905 general strike from the point of view of schoolgirls and a non-Socialist family, history, children as servants, romantic love, Finnish-Russian families.
"The time of the passenger pigeons."
[written in Finnish, Aurora ja villikyyhkysten aika.] 1991. Publisher: Kirjapaja. ISBN 951-625-350-4
[Published by the name 'Pirkko Pekkarinen]
Aurora returns for a summer in Toronto with her Canadian fiancé Thomas. There is a ghost in the greenhouse and in the valley. An Edwardian summer in Toronto. Servants' life in a manor.
Themes: Toronto, Canada's nature, children as servants, ghosts, Edwardian lifestyle, valleys in Toronto, romantic love.
Anna Amnell; "Aurora and Molly."
[written in Finnish, Aurora ja Molly.]
1999.
Publisher: Kirjapaja. ISBN 951-625-580-9
Aurora's story for younger readers, 8-10 years old. Black and white illustration by Anna Amnell's son Matti Amnell. Themes: 1903: friendship, russification in Finland, immigration to Canada, Toronto, Edwardian life-style, children as servants
The copyright for all Aurora-books: Anna Amnell and Matti Amnell
[written in Finnish, Aurora ja Molly.]
1999.
Publisher: Kirjapaja. ISBN 951-625-580-9
Aurora's story for younger readers, 8-10 years old. Black and white illustration by Anna Amnell's son Matti Amnell. Themes: 1903: friendship, russification in Finland, immigration to Canada, Toronto, Edwardian life-style, children as servants
The copyright for all Aurora-books: Anna Amnell and Matti Amnell
Matti Amnell's illustration. Molly is a child servant in an Edwardian household.
Anna Amnell's Aurora Books. Illustration and cover pictures: Matti Amnell
