Mauri Kunnas has been awarded the ‘Tieto-Lauri’ Prize for his unrivalled authorship of children’s books which has inspired children to read for four decades.
“Mauri Kunnas offers both children and parents joyful moments spent on reading about several topics. Kunnas is doing an invaluable job in promoting reading and enthusiasm for books,” explains Claes von Heiroth, chairman of the Lauri Jäntti Foundation awarding the prize.
The prize is awarded every three years to a major children’s or YA author.
Mauri Kunnas’ first children’s picture book, The Finnish Elves, was published in 1979. It was a start to an exceptionally successful career, and today Kunnas is the most beloved and best-selling author of children’s books in Finland. In 2012, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal. Several generations of children have grown up with his hilarious and beautifully illustrated stories.