Boy and a Leap of Courage

This book continues the story of Ronnie who is enrolled in circus school!

Ronnie’s new hobby raises doubts and fear as he is scared that he won’t be any good or have any courage at all to try. Everything changes, however, when he meets a brave new friend who also looks more like him – the type of friend Ronnie has never actually had. Ronnie becomes more encouraged and finds that this lets him experience something entirely new.

An inspiring book from Jani Toivola and illustrator Saara Obele about courage and friendship that shows you’re not alone. Boy and a Leap of Courage follows two lovely titles from the same duo: Boy in the Red Skirt and Boy and Butterflies in His Tummy.

Publishing information

Year of publication

2023

Page count

Original title

Poika ja rohkeusloikka

Original language

Finnish

Original publisher

Otava

Book series

Boy (Book 3)

About the author

Author photo of Jani Toivola for Rights and Brands Literary Rights.

Jani Toivola (1977) is a Finnish actor, director and author who has worked in the media industry since the early 2000s. He was the first elected black MP and was part of Finland’s Green Party between 2011-2019. Previously, Toivola has written two books about personal identity and parenting. Boy and the Red Skirt is his first children’s book, which he hopes would speak to everyone and remind them that there are no rules, and your own story can change the world.Jani Toivola lives in Helsinki together with his school-aged child. As a former MP, he has an active presence in the media for pointing out social issues, as well as presenting everyday family life as a single gay parent. Parenthood inspires him in many ways and means the world to him. He openly talks about this in the public by sharing snapshots of his daily life to his 74k+ followers on Instagram. He believes in the strength of storytelling and how it can create conversation and enable change in society. “I think its important to encourage every child to focus on themselves more often. To have trust in their inner fire. I believe it carries one far in life, and ultimately strengthens the ability to empathize with others.”– Jani Toivola

Author page Photo of Saara Obele for Rights and Brands Literary Rights.

Saara Obele (b. 1984) is an illustrator and a graphic designer living in Espoo, Finland. She studies Visual Communication Design at Aalto University. She loves bright colours, patterns, flowers, yoga, swimming and reading illustrated stories with her kids.Boy in the Red Skirt is the first children’s book that she has illustrated. In Jani Toivola’s story, she was drawn to its ability to raise different emotions as well as its diverse characters. With her colorful illustrations, she wants to emphasize all the emotions Roni is going through. “Every child deserves to see themselves in the books of today.”– Saara Obele

Author page

Reviews

“The Ronnie books by Jani Toivola and Saara Obele are coherent books that reform the Finnish children’s book field, in which the main character is a child who challenges normative concepts in many ways. The books normalize the differences in families and the complex emotional lives of children. The warm series with its text and illustrations reminds one of the importance of believing in yourself. Although the Ronnie picture book series is a combination of illustration and text, Toivola as the author of the series is nominated for the award.”

Ibby Finland

"The book amusingly describes the thoughts and feelings that come up when one sees another brown child in the same room. … The story is simple, straightforward, and effective. It has a gentle backdrop and pleasant characters. … The book’s illustrations are also just fantastic, as in the other Ronnie books, and the colour scheme especially in this part is as charming and gentle as a hug."

POC-Lukupiiri Blog

"Jani Toivola’s Boy and a Leap of Courage is a charmingly gentle and inspiring story about fear and courage. It beautifully reminds you that fears can come up in many types of situations and that even a courageous person can be afraid – and vice versa. The thoughts and feelings of the main character, Ronnie, are clearly depicted so it’s easy for the reader to identify with him. Saara Obele’s illustrations smoothly contribute to the text. The colourful and vivid pictures appeal to the eye, and the narrative conveys a pleasing understanding."

Kirjakaapin kummitus Blog