John the Skeleton

Triinu Laan is a writer, a manager of cultural activities, a mother of five, and loves wild living more than anything else. Laan lives with her three youngest children, mathematician husband, and self-conscious cat in the countryside in Võru County. Their home language is Võro, which is spoken by about 70,000 people, primarily in south Estonia. Her stories convey the understanding that the worlds of adults and children, the living and the dead, and humans and animals are not so different as one may think.Adam Cullen is a freelance translator of Estonian prose, poetry, and drama. His translations include novels by Mihkel Mutt (The Cavemen Chronicle, nominated for the 2015 Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Prize for Literary Translation), Rein Raud (The Brother and The Reconstruction, nominated for the 2017 Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Prize for Literary Translation), Kai Aareleid (Burning Cities), and Tonu Onnepalu (Radio). Cullen’s debut collection of original poetry, Lichen / Samblik, was published in 2017. Originally from Minnesota, he has resided in Estonia since 2007.Marja-Liisa Plats is an illustrator, graphic designer, photographer, and singer. She graduated from Tartu Art College in photography and is a member of the Young Authors' Association in Tartu and the Tartu Artists' Union. Plats has illustrated more than 40 children’s books and regularly contributes to the children’s magazine Täheke. She has received extensive recognition for her works and has been listed in the White Ravens catalogue three times.

"We loved this quirky, tender tale of an Estonian family and their skeleton, that explores life and death through humor, folk art and excellent translation,” — Dr. Marianne Martens, Batchelder Award Committee Chair"Laan’s vignettes of life with John the Skeleton complement the illustrations—simple yet profound. . . . A magical book that allows death to become a beloved part of life." — Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review"Vignettes seamlessly present a window to Estonian culture, while saunas, pixies and linden-blossom tea (pähnähäitsmetsäi: pah-nah-hites-met-sigh-y) lend cultural authenticity to a child-friendly, medically accurate and humorous text." — American Library Association"Meet my favorite Estonian picture book of all time. The last time I fell for something from Estonia it was The Ear by Piet Raud, and I stand by my love of that title, but this is something special." — Betsy Bird, School Library Journal"I enjoyed John the Skeleton immensely, because it is absurd, funny, loving, and makes you understand the grandparents’ quirks. . . . The illustrations are full of life, and make an endearing portrait of the tribulations of farm life, the aging of loved ones, and the pleasure to be found in the little things. This book has won so many awards, and for good reason!" — Mariana Ruiz, GeekDad"Folk-naif pencil illustrations with beet-red highlights combine gentle humor with tender observation . . . and when the line between life and death blurs further in this lightly other-worldly read, John offers true companionship." — Publishers Weekly"This slyly funny Estonian import is an affectionate, whimsical look at death." — Youth Services Book Review"This reflective, folksy book explores concepts of memory, life, death, and everything surrounding them. The direct third-person present-tense text uses short, vignette-style chapters, adding an immediacy to the telling. The art, using textured shades of gray that appear to be rendered with pencil alongside striking pops of bright pink, creates a feel that is both haunting and fresh." — Horn Book Magazine