Trick or Treat with Mirka Hokkanen!

Hi, readers, writers, and seasons lovers of all kinds! We’re thrilled to welcome author and illustrator Mirka Hokkanen, who’s here today to share her wonderful new books - perfect for fall or any time of year.

Mirka’s Little Seasons: Autumn Leaves celebrates the incredible journey of leaves through the seasons and their essential role in nature. As winter fades into spring, the leaves’ big job begins, unfurling from buds and stretching wide to soak up the sun. From delicate maple leaves to the grand fronds of ferns, and everything in between, young readers can discover just how much leaves can do in this pitch-perfect picture book.

Want to know more about Mirka and her beautiful new book, PLUS want to know if she's offering a Trick or a Treat? Read on if you dare...🍬🎃

Q: Hi, Mirka! Thanks for joining #SeasonsOfKidLit for our Annual Trick-or-Treat Event! We’re thrilled to have you and hear all about your book that’s perfect for fall! Can you share a little about yourself with us and your background in writing and illustrating for kids? What encouraged you to become a kid lit creator? 

A: Thank you for having me! I have a background in fine art and people always told me that my work would fit really well into children’s books. I kept putting it off as something that was out of my wheelhouse, until I had kids of my own and was loving reading picture books with them. Picture books made such a big impact in our life, that I decided I want to create that magic for others. I’ve been on a path to create books that make people laugh, learn and connect ever since.  

Q: Little Seasons: Autumn Leaves, published by Odd Dot, follows the incredible journey of leaves each season and their essential role in nature! This seriously looks like so much fun. Can you share more about your book and the inspiration behind it?

A: The book is part of a series of nature’s cycles. The first one is about spring and the seed life cycle and this second one is about fall, leaves and photosynthesis. I wanted to create a book about something as mundane as leaves, but make it fun, interesting and educational. I wanted to share how important leaves are to us, and weave in interesting facts like how leaves change color and photosynthesis, all while keeping the tone light and making the reader laugh. All kids pick up pretty leaves in the fall, and it’s fun to have a new awareness for them after reading the book.     q

Q: You’ve woven STEM facts into your story - how fun! What tips would you like to share with anyone looking to blend fiction and STEM facts together. How do you keep the perfect blend of learning and entertainment in mind when creating? 

A: When I created these books, I thought: “How would I explain this to my 5-year old in an interesting way?” My first tip to creating nonfiction for kids is to write at the level of your audience, but not talk down to them. 

Second, I think it’s important for kids to have something to connect to in the text. Something that they can think: “I’ve felt that way.” or “I’ve done/seen that before.” For example on the page below, I ask if the reader can recognize any of the leaves on the page. It invites kids to stop, look closer and think if they’ve seen any of the leaves before. I use experiences that they can relate to and weave the facts in with them. 

Third, humor helps with fact retention and keeps kids turning the pages. I work to include a sprinkle of humor on each spread to keep readers entertained. It can be in the form of a speech bubble, a character doing something funny, a pun, or a dissonance between the text and illustration. 

In a nutshell, I start with a lot of research and narrowing down the most interesting facts on a topic, then I write the book in a way that I would explain it to my kids so that they can relate to the topic, and then make sure to add humor on every spread.     

Q: What’s your favorite spread and why?

A: My favorite spread of the book is the winter spread showing all the critters sleeping under the snow. It was fun to research all animals that sleep in leaves over winter and then find a way to hide as many as I could in the illustration. How many can you find?

On a little side note, one of my favorite parts of the book is the little luna moth that starts out as an egg at the beginning of the book. It then grows through the book pages, overwinters as a chrysalis and then emerges as a moth at the end. It’s a little side story to find and talk about with kids aside from the main theme of leaves in the book. 

Q: What’s the most challenging part about being a #kidlit creator? How about the most rewarding part?

A: The most challenging part is the irregular schedules. Each book has multiple stages from initial sketches, to pitching, working with a publisher and then promoting after the book comes out. It takes years and there are many moving parts. It’s hard to keep a balanced schedule and having long gaps in your income going from one stage to another. 

The best part relates to the different stages. I love to work on different projects and work never gets boring because I’m always moving between different stages on different books. It keeps me on my toes. 

BONUS: What’s both your favorite and least favorite candy? What would you be thrilled to receive in your candy bag, and what would you desperately try to trade?

A: I have the biggest sweet tooth. That thing is out of control most days forcing me to eat candy and chocolate to keep it happy! From trick-or-treating I’d keep all gummy bears, Snickers and Twix for sure, but would immediately trade Reeses’s pieces (I don’t like peanut butter!).     

Q: Would you like to leaf (see what I did there? 🎃) a Trick or a Treat for our readers?

A: A Treat! I'd like to giveaway a copy of Little Seasons: Autumn Leaves. Shipped anywhere in the US. I also have directions for a fun leaf character craft on my blog, and free downloadable resources for each of my books on my website. 

WOW! Thanks for such a fall-tastic treat! And thanks again for joining us and giving us a closer look at your book. It was a pleasure having you.

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Mirka's book giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by and 2) share her post on social media. Fall leave GIFs are welcome, too!

Please Note: Books/giveaways will be shipped in the U.S. only.

*Special Reminder: Those who like, leave a comment on, and share all posts will be entered into a drawing and be eligible to win:

• One (1) of five (5) Rate Your Story Speed Passes perfect for quick MS feedback, provided by Editor Lynne Marie & Author Heather Macht and/or

• A Query Critique from Agent  Lynnette Novak with The Seymour Agency 

Winners will be drawn and announced on or about 10/22. 

About Mirka Hokkanen:

Mirka Hokkanen is a Finnish-American author-illustrator who loves to create humorous books with quirky characters. Mirka’s published works include the picture book series Kitty and Cat (Candlewick), the early reader graphic novel series Mossy and Tweed (Holiday House), and the nonfiction picture book series Little Seasons (Macmillan/Odd Dot). When not in her studio, she likes to knit, sew, and explore the outdoors with her three kids.

For more about Mirka, check out the below links:

Website: https://www.mirkah.com/autumnleaves 

Craft: https://www.mirkah.com/pb-blog/leafcraft 

Amazon (for book reviews and purchases): Little Seasons: Autumn Leaves: Hokkanen, Mirka, Hokkanen, Mirka: 9781250885616: Amazon.com: Books

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