Gyldendal Agency - Foreign Rights Guide, Children/Young Adult

Anne Cathrine Eng anne.cathrine.eng@gyldendal.no Foreign Rights Director

Nina Pedersen nina.pedersen@gyldendal.no Literary Agent

Kirsti Kristoffersen kirsti.kristoffersen@gyldendal.no Film & TV Rights

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Sehesteds gate 4 0130 Oslo, Norway

Postal address

P.o. box 6860, St. Olavs plass 0130 Oslo, Norway

https://agency.gyldendal.no

Illustration: Sunniva Sunde Krogseth, Karin and the Darkness

CHILDREN / YOUNG ADULT

PICTURE BOOK // AGE 6–9

MIDDLE GRADE // YOUNG ADULT

Mieko is Dancing

Mariko Miyata-Jancey / Skinkeape (illustrator)

Lush, charming picture book story!

Mieko loves to dance! Especially when she can wear shorts and a T-shirt instead of those stupid tights and that uncomfortable leotard. Mieko has never spun so fast or jumped so high before! And now Sofia with the smile has started dancing too – that smile that makes Mieko melt inside, that makes it even nicer to be there.

But why has Mieko been put in the jump group? They’re all boys!

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

48 pages

Mariko Miyata-Jancey

Mariko Miyata-Jancey (b. 1989) is a dancer and choreographer, and has extensive experience with teaching and performances aimed at children and young people, as well as being very familiar with the target group as an educator.

Marianne Gretteberg

Marianne Gretteberg Engedahl /b. 1986), also known as Skinkeape, is a writer, illustrator and chef. In recent years she has caught the attention of critics and prize juries.

Karin and the Darkness

Janne-Camilla Lyster / Annette Saugestad Helland (illustrator)

Picture book about the questions, big and small, that can come up at bedtime.

What’s that shining in the sky? What’s a star? Where does everything go when it’s dark? The Horse keeps asking and asking, so Karin has to tell him all about the light and the orchestra in the sky and why night-time comes – because the Horse is just a horse that doesn’t know everything, so you can’t just lie down and go to sleep.

Janne-Camilla Lyster

Janne-Camilla Lyster (b. 1981) has published eight poetry collections and two novels. Lyster is a dancer and choreographer trained at the Ballet Academy at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Karin and the Darkness is her first book for children.

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

Annette Saugestad Helland

Annette Saugestad Helland (b. 1975) is a visual artist, illustrator and animator. She was trained at the Bergen Academy of Art and Design and Konstfack in Stockholm. She has made a numerous of animated films and has worked in the animation industry for many years.

The Sneak

Inga Husby Sætre

Susanne and Sørensen are neighbours, but not very good neighbours.

Susanne likes things quiet, clean and tidy. She doesn’t like mess – and she does NOT like Sørensen.

But one day a little sneak moves into the garden between the two neighbours – and this sneak is all set to spice up their lives!

«The Sneak has to go down as the most indisputably charming book of the year. Who is the sneak? A magical little being whose life is devoted to sparking magic between people.» NRK

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2022

88 pages

Inga Husby Sætre

«From now on I’ll say, “I hope the Sneak comes by today” when I’m feeling a bit down or bored. Anyone who has read this book will know what I mean.»

Adresseavisen

«...a charming children’s book about neighbourliness, teamwork and companionship. (…) an exceptional picture book.»

Klassekampen

Inga Sætre (b. 1978) is an author, comic-book creator, illustrator and animator. She trained as an animator and is one of our most highly renowned illustrators and cartoonists. She created the award-winning graphic novel Fall Technique, which has also been turned into a film and won an Amanda Award under the title Ninjababy.

Just Mother and Ellinor

Ingrid Z. Aanestad / Sunniva Sunde Krogseth (illustrator)

Can Ellinor tell others about her mother? Or is it a secret?

Just mother and Ellinor live together. They make sushi and drink cocoa with chili and draw anything they like.

Mother is the most beautiful person Ellinor knows. But sometimes mother gets sad and lies on the sofa all day.

Can Ellinor tell others about it? Or is it a secret?

A warm picture book about togetherness, starfish and the desire to do the right thing.

Emotional illustrations by Sunniva Sunde Krogseth.

Ingrid Z. Aanestad

Ingrid Z. Aanestad (b. 1983) grew up in Klepp in Rogaland. She made her debut in 2006 with the novel I dag er ein fin dag and has since published several novels and essays. Just Mother and Ellinor is her first children’s book.

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Sunniva Sunde Krogseth

Publication year: 2022

56 pages

Sunniva Sunde Krogseth

Sunniva Sunde Krogseth (b. 1987) works as an illustrator in Oslo and has received a number of awards for her illustrations. She debuted in 2020 with Naturinstruksjoner (Nature Instructions), a poetic picture book for adults. Nature is a recurring theme in her work.

Leo is a Salmon

Arne Svingen / Tiril Valeur (illustrator)

Imagine if Leo was a salmon! Then he could tickle people’s legs and even stick his head under water. Could he even play football down there?

“Inspirational role play… Accomplished interplay between text and illustrations.”

Katrine Kalleklev, barnebokkritikk.no, about Leo is a dog and Leo is an elephant.

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

40 pages

Arne Svingen

Arne Svingen (b. 1967) is one of our foremost writers for children and young adults. His production spans from easy reads for children, to novels for children and young adults.

Tiril Valeur

Tiril Valeur (b. 1975) is a writer, illustrator and graphic designer. She lives in Kristiansand.

Sara and Dagmara get Kidnapped

Heidi Linde / Hanna Granlund (illustrator)

The perfect hideaway?

The books about Sara and Dagmara are characterized by Heidi Linde’s warm and humorous style. As we meet the girls once again in the fourth book, everyone is helping to tidy up the place where they live. But the girls don’t think that hard work looks like any fun at all, so they stay out of the way until the treats are handed out. They find a perfect hideaway, they think…

This is the fourth book in the series about Sara and Dagmara

Heidi Linde

Heidi Linde (b. 1973) is a genuinely talented writer, and writes a warm, yet vivid prose about characters that will touch your heart. She has been a rising star since her debut novel Under the Table (2002) made it to the main selection in Norway’s major book club, but her big breakthrough came with her third novel, Yes, We Can! (2011).

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Hanna Granlund

Publication year: 2023

40 pages

Hanna Granlund

Hanna Granlund (b. 1990) is a Swedish illustrator and author. She has contributed to over 50 publications.

Facts about Superstition

Hilde Hodnefjeld

Knock on wood, don’t walk under ladders, four-leaf clovers bring good luck…

Superstition is a bit like everyday magic, and belongs to our cultural heritage. In this book, the reader is introduced to different phenomena which, in popular belief, brought good luck or bad luck. Some of this has survived to this day, although we probably don’t take it entirely seriously anymore. Here we learn what can bring fortune or misfortune and what might be behind the beliefs.

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2022

Illustrator: Hilde Hodnefjeld

Publication year: 2023

40 pages

Hilde Hodnefjeld

Hilde Hodnefjeld (b. 1966) was educated in graphic design and illustration at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry in Oslo, majoring in drawing. She works as an illustrator and as part of the Illustratørene collective in Oslo, and has illustrated a number of books for children. In addition, she has written and illustrated several picture books, such as Lykke and the Accident (2019) and Imagine (2012).

Benny Football Buddy

Anneli Klepp / Åshild Irgens (illustrator)

Benny takes new chances.

Benny wants to start a football practice.

He wants to play on the team.

‘Sure thing,’ says the coach.

‘Chill out, you dork,’ says Adam.

So what should Benny do?

Benny feels safest with his teddy bear. But when he has to put teddy away for a little while, he suddenly discovers how brave he is all by himself!

This is the third book in the Benny series.

Anneli Klepp

Anneli Klepp was born and raised in Kirkenes. She debuted with Gyldendal in 2006 with the children’s book Lousy Tangles and Warm Blueberry Pie. Since then, she has written several books and series for children.

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Åshild Irgens

Publication year: 2023

40 pages

Åshild Irgens

Åshild Irgens (b. 1976) is a Norwegian illustrator. She has illustrated several children’s books for the publishers Aschehoug, Damm, Samlaget and Gyldendal, among them the novel Tonje Glimmerdal by Maria Parr, a recipient of the Brage Prize.

Hans Jørgen Sandnes

Hans Jørgen Sandnes (b. 1979) is an illustrator, animator and cartoonist. Together with Jørn Lier Horst, he created the Detective Agency No. 2 books, which is Norway’s best-selling children’s universe in book form with a print run of over 1.7 million. Hans Jørgen’s illustrations have been published in over 20 countries.

Crypto Hans Jørgen Sandnes

A magical underwater world!

Crypto 1: Into the Deep

Ophelia moves to Salt Cove to live with her foster family, the Birkens, and gets to know local fisherman Bernard. Both have seen traces of sea monsters, and together they discover the sea monster Krako and a missing boy! They rescue the boy, but Krako gets captured by the boss of the town’s aquarium.

Crypto 2: The Hurricane

The aquarium is closed because of a hurricane warning, so Ophelia and Bernard free Krako from captivity in a dramatic and perilous rescue operation. When another monster rescues Ophelia from the sea, it becomes clear that she has a very special connection to the sea monsters. Are they really dangerous, or is it people that are making them feel unsafe?

Crypto 3: Open Ocean

Dalis steals Ophelia’s book on cryptozoology. Ophelia and Bernard pursue her out to sea and discover that Dalis is working for a secret organisation – Crypto. Dalis is badly injured in a dramatic encounter with a new sea monster, and along with Dalis, Bernard and Ophelia head for Fingal’s Island, where Crypto has its headquarters. They discover that the organisation isn’t hunting the sea monsters, but is working to protect them and keep them in hiding.

Crypto 4: Frost Mist

To Ophelia, the organisation on Fingal’s Island feels strangely familiar. She explores the island on her own, and when she encounters a dangerous swarm of sea monsters, she discovers that she can sing the crypto-siren songs, can understand strange crypto-symbols, and can tame sea monsters. It turns out that her biological father has a connection to Crypto. Is it right for the organisation to keep its knowledge of the sea monsters a secret?

Crypto 5: Deep Freeze

Ophelia and Bernard join Dalis on an expedition to the Arctic, in hot pursuit are the aquarium manager and some American businessmen who want to cash in on the sea monsters. Ophelia comes across traces of her father and realises that he was trying to expose Crypto. He believed that if only humans knew about the sea monsters, we would also be considerate of them. During the expedition, Ophelia is put in great danger, and the aquarium manager realises that he has to abandon his business plans.

Crypto is a series that will consist of ten books dealing with the protection of animals and the environment. How can we protect and save things that for most people are unfamiliar and scary?

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Henry Bronken

Publication year: 2023

56 pages

The Taco Monster

Arne Svingen /Henry Bronken (illustrator)

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Eivind Gulliksen

Publication year: 2023

104 pages

The

Twelfth book in the bonkers and delightfully absurd series Svingen’s Mad World!

Benjamin’s father says that you get a crooked face from cycling into the wind, that the roots of your teeth grow up into your head if you don’t brush your teeth, and that the dreaded Taco Monster crawls out from his hiding place whenever there’s a smell of tacos in the house – so the safest thing to do is eat blood sausage and cod tongues. But one day Benjamin really, really wants some tacos, and how good can the Taco Monster’s sense of smell really be?

Henry Bronken

Henry Bronken is a Norwegian cartoonist. His first comic was published in the Norwegian anthology Forresten in 2001. Several comic books have since been published.

Escape to Space

Arne Svingen Eivind Gulliksen (illustrator)

The eighth book in the series about Agent Elvin Griff!

Elvin and Lydia are on the run and hiding in the forest. At a secret underground base, they meet people who believe the end of the earth is near. They want to travel to another planet to start from scratch. But where are all the children? And what’s hiding in the massive hangar? Join Elvin and Lydia on their wildest adventure yet!

Eivind Gulliksen

Eivind Gulliksen (b. 1973) studied journalism at Høgskolen in Oslo and currently works as an illustrator.

Stuffed

Arne Svingen /Simon Nyhus (illustrator)

Chilling horror story about taxidermy and brotherhood.

Raven has been fighting with his brother once again, and runs away in a complete rage. Along the road he meets a man who collects dead animals, which he then stuffs. Raven goes back to the man’s house to see his amazing collection. But then he opens the wrong door…

This is the twenty-second book in the popular horror series for children.

Simon Nyhus

Simon Nyhus (b. 1988) is a Norwegian 3D designer and illustrator. He has been a concept designer for Norwegian animated films and illustrated children’s books.

Arne Svingen

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Simon Nyhus

Publication year: 2023

72 pages

Arne Svingen is one of our most popular authors and has written over 100 books. His work ranges from children’s books to novels for young people and adults. He has been awarded a number of prizes for his books, including the Brage Prize, the Ministry of Culture’s Literature Prize, ARK’s Children’s Book Prize and the Bookworm Prize. Svingen’s novels have been translated into 25 languages.

The World’s Worst Ski Trip

Marius Horn Molaug / Kristoffer Kjølberg

Join Kent and Ruben on a ski trip!

Kent has gone along with Ruben and his family to their cabin. The OBLIGATORY SKI TRIP awaits them there, and Ruben and Kent naturally do everything they can to avoid it.

Kent hates ski TRIPS, even more than Ruben. Kent is more the ski JUMPS type of guy. Or the ZOOMING DOWNHILL AT A THOUSAND MILES AN HOUR ON ONE SKI type. Or the TRYING TO DO A BACKFLIP BUT MISSING THE JUMP AND INSTEAD CRASHING STRAIGHT INTO A TREE AND BREAKING THE SKIS type. Not the boring walkalong-on-skis type.

They resort to all sorts of tricks to avoid going along, but when Ruben’s little sister gets lost in the mountains, they are forced to strap on their skis and help with the search.

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Kristoffer Kjølberg

Publication year: 2023

112 pages

Marius Horn Molaug

Marius Molaug (b. 1976) works as editor of the Norwegian edition of Donald Duck. He is a member of the creative community Dongery.

The latest book in the World’s Worst series! Lots of laughs, fun illustrations, and days that seldom go according to plan make the World’s Worst books a light, entertaining and hysterically funny reading experience.

Kristoffer Kjølberg

Kristoffer Kjølberg (b. 1980) is a prize-winning illustrator and graphic designer. He is a member of the creative community Dongery.

Wild Wilderness 1 – The Final Skull

Ola Nielsen / Martin M, Hvattum

The inn ‘The Busty Nymph’ is located in the Wild Wilderness, at the crossroads of all magical worlds. Visitors come here from the Kingdom of the Dead, Zombieland, The Wild West, Atlantis, The Wasteland of Dragons and all other possible and impossible universes.

Behind the counter at the inn are the swamp children Lok, Knis and Nøste, who would much rather go out on adventures than serve and wash up after abominable snowmen, rude mermaids and stinky trolls. But when the sheriff shows up demanding money the inn doesn’t have, the swamp children have to come up with a plan to save the inn.

In order to make some money, they have to arrange the best party the Wild Wilderness has ever seen. But that means they have to travel to Port Mortem to get some supplies. Will they make it back alive?

Ola Nielsen Oldani

Ola Nielsen Oldani (b. 1989) is an award-winning author who had Roald Dahl and Jules Verne read aloud at his bedside. When he became a father himself, he realized how important the fantastic worlds and characters on his parents’ bookshelves had been growing up.

The cartoon The Final Skull (2023), which he creates together with Martin Hvattum, is his first publication.

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Martin M. Hvattum

Publication year: 2023

Martin M. Hvattum

Martin works as an illustrator. The later years with a lot of focus on illustration as part of identity design, as well as editorial illustration and campaigns. He was educated at the Academy of Art University where he graduated with distinction.

The Invasion

Rut Granli

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

160 pages

Mysterious, luminous creatures have occupied Justyna’s school. What do they want with her?

When mysterious, luminous creatures begin to take over her school, something exciting finally starts happening in Justyna’s life.

She has been wishing for some action – a disaster, whatever!

Alongside with her friends, she has to find out what these lights are all about.

But what do these creatures really want? And why is it only Justyna who meets them?

It looks like Justyna has got the disaster she was hoping for.

The Invasion is the first book in the Ephyra trilogy.

Rut Granli

Rut Granli (b. 1986) lives in Aurskog. She is a qualified teacher in arts, crafts and design with a specialisation in special needs pedagogy and Norwegian at primary level. Rut is a teacher at a special needs school in Lillestrøm municipality. She has written several books for children.

Love, sort of

Heidi Linde

Can you fall in love, just like that?

In the class next door to Olivia’s, there’s a boy called Niels. It seems like Olivia sees him wherever she looks: at the ping-pong table, on the stairs by the main entrance, and at the bike stands. It’s as if her eyes just ZOOM in on him all by themselves!

Is this what LOVE is? And if that’s what this is: WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO ABOUT IT?

A book exploding with charm that uses humour, warmth and insight – and takes first love very seriously indeed.

Critics gave the first two Olivia books a brilliant reception, and The Different Lives of Olivia was nominated for ARK’s Children’s Book Prize. Love, sort of can be read independently of the other Olivia books.

Other books in the series: Man’s Best Friend (2021)

The Different Lives of Olivia (2019)

Book 1

Heidi Linde

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2022

136 pages

Heidi Linde (b. 1973) is a genuinely talented writer, and writes a warm, yet vivid prose about characters that will touch your heart. She has been a rising star since her debut novel Under the Table (2002) made it to the main selection in Norway’s major book club, but her big breakthrough came with her third novel, Yes, We Can! (2011).

Noor and the Miniature

Julia Kahrs

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

192 pages

Foreign sales: Denmark, Straarup & Co

Original new novel from storytelling talent

Julia Kahrs!

On just another day, Noor discovers something pretty unusual in the cellar: a miniature version of herself! Why on earth has Noor got a miniature?

But perhaps this is precisely what she needs, because on top of dealing with her annoying classmates and huge amounts of homework, Noor has managed to sign up for the school’s Christmas show – not that she has a clue what she’s going to perform. And when circumstances surrounding the Christmas show turn unexpectedly shady and dangerous, having a sneaky miniature on your side turns out to be a good thing.

Julia Kahrs

Julia Lossius Kahrs (b. 1985) published her first book, the adventure novel The Silver Foxes, in 2009.

The Storm is Coming

Julia Kahrs

Gørja seems to be a completely ordinary place, with a school, a shop and a kiosk.

But there are also secrets in Gørja that the adults cannot – or will not – explain. There have been two child disappearances from Gørja, and both times a storm raged through the streets and the forest, and across the lake and the sky. Now a new storm is brewing – and Sam’s family has only just moved here.

A wild, exciting and highly original story from Julia Kahrs.

Winner of the Brage Prize 2022

Nominated for Ark’s Children’s Book Prize 2022

Nominated for “Boksluker-prisen” 2022

Nominated for the Norwegian Critics’ Prize 2022

“The novel is well composed, the language rushes along, and the whole thing is driven forward by adventures and surprises (...).

What is the novel about? About belonging. Hidden truths. Finding out who you are. Love. All the important things, wrapped up in a wild and sensuous package.”

From the jury statement, the Brage Prize

“This family is so strange and different that the novel becomes completely unpredictable and incredibly fun to read. It’s also exciting, since the storm is approaching and some children usually disappear with it. The book is full of absurd situations and laconic comments — this isn’t a book to leave behind half-read at the cabin. A crystal-clear 6 out of 6!”

Kristine Isaksen, VG

«Wildness and mystery from one of our most original children’s novelists.»

Periskop.no

Publisher: Gyldendal

Illustrator: Sunniva Sunde Krogseth

Publication year: 2022

256 pages

Foreign sales: Denmark, Straarup & Co

Jenny Fender

Heidi Marie Vestrheim

Fun, charming novel from children’s book debutant Heidi Marie Vestrheim.

Jenny and Signe are neighbours, best friends AND they’re playing a concert together at this year’s summer festival in the village. This is going to be the best summer ever!

But the news arrives just before the summer holidays start with a bang: Signe is moving – far, far away. Jenny is devastated. What’s going to happen with the band and the concert now? And what happened about being the bestest best friends in the whole wide world? Can you really be best friends with someone who lives miles away?

One day, someone moves into Signe’s house! Someone with a rock’n’roll hairdo, tight pants and a drum kit in the basement. Someone who’s irritatingly cool, who makes yummy smoothies and makes Jenny’s head spin. Someone called Sara, who’s moved all the way from Oslo.

This is going to be the worst summer ever…or is it?

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

Heidi Marie Vestrheim

Heidi Marie Vestrheim (b. 1977) comes from Øystese and lives in Oslo. She is a TV and radio presenter, musician, songwriter and author.

Vestrheim has a two-year authorship course at the Norwegian Children’s Book Institute. Jenny Fender is her first children’s book.

Cash Money

Arne Svingen

Topical book about money and social inequality!

Edvin Cash Money Johansen is one of the richest kids in the country.

But one day somethings happens that changes everything.

Absolutely everything.

This is a story about having lots of money. And all of a sudden not having any. But most of all, it’s the story of one of the wildest ideas that was ever made into reality.

With Cash Money, Arne Svingen has served up a high-paced story of the rich kid whose life is turned upside-down as his financial juggler of a father in a stroke of bad luck loses everything. The book has relevancy, excitement, activism, a sense of justice, and, with its use of social media, great relatability. A book of 240 action-packed pages that will engage its readers “to the bitter end”.

- NRK

Arne Svingen

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

240 pages

Arne Svingen (b. 1967) is one of our most popular authors and has written over 100 books. His work ranges from children’s books to novels for young people and adults. He has been awarded a number of prizes for his books, including the Brage Prize, the Ministry of Culture’s Literature Prize, ARK’s Children’s Book Prize and the Bookworm Prize. Svingen’s novels have been translated into 25 languages.

League

Nina Borge

Jos has been a gamer for as long as she can remember. All she dreams of is turning pro. With sky-high expectations, she starts out on the e-sports programme at upper secondary school. But as the only girl in the class, it’s not easy to stake her claim. An important League of Legends tournament lies ahead, but in e-sports it’s the boys who dominate. Are they going to show her respect? Is she even welcome there?

How much is Jos willing to sacrifice to reach the top?

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

208 pages

Nina Borge

Nina Borge (born 1983) was born and raised in Sandefjord and lives in Stokke. She trained as a child welfare pedagogue and works as a milieu therapist. In addition, she works freelance as a script consultant and editor for Forlagshuset in Vestfold. League is her third novel.

As the only girl in her gaming class, Jos has to work hard to earn respect.

Gangster

Jan Tore Noreng

New book in the Boys series!

Sander has left school. He is a dealer, and he earns well. But on his eighteenth birthday, the unthinkable happens – he is caught by the police. To avoid punishment, Sander enters into an agreement to infiltrate the drug community.

Suddenly, Sander is faced with much greater consequences than a prison sentence.

Gangster is the third book in Boys, a thrilling, actionpacked book series.

Jan Tore Noreng

Publisher: Gyldendal

Publication year: 2023

112 pages

Jan Tore Noreng (b. 1968) is a teacher and lives in Mefjordvær on the isle of Senja.

He has studied creative writing at the University of Tromsø and has himself taught it at the Cultural School in Berg municipality. Gangster is his elleventh novel.

Anne Cathrine Eng anne.cathrine.eng@gyldendal.no Foreign Rights Director

Nina Pedersen nina.pedersen@gyldendal.no Literary Agent

Kirsti Kristoffersen kirsti.kristoffersen@gyldendal.no Film & TV Rights

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Visitor address Sehesteds gate 4 0130 Oslo, Norway

Postal address

P.o. box 6860, St. Olavs plass 0130 Oslo, Norway

https://agency.gyldendal.no