Oh Creative Lady: Meet Riikka Jantti, author of Little Mouse

We are huge fans of the Little Mouse books by Riikka Jantti. In fact, just last week, Miss 4 insisted on taking all 3 of the series to preschool for News. The genius of these books lies in the way young readers empathise with Little Mouse discovering the world, whilst parents empathise with the ever-patient but slightly weary, Mummy Mouse. Little Mouse is exploring the boundaries of his world and asserting his independence whenever he can. I recognise so much of the curious and spirited Little Mouse in my own littles. The latest book, Little Mouse’s Christmas, is a delightful glimpse into a Scandinavian Christmas. My children strongly identify with Little Mouse’s impatient wait for Christmas and the temptation of all those Advent windows! It is such a treat to have Little Mouse author, Riikka Jantti, as an Oh Creative Lady.

I am… a 45 years old writer and illustrator. I live in Helsinki with my daughter and my father, so there are three generations in our household. This is very handy, we like the arrangement very much. My daughter goes to pre-school, she is six, and I make childrens’ books. My father mostly plays solitaire.

My greatest inspiration, when talking about ’Little Mouse’, is of course my daughter. She is funny, and she challenges me every day by being very strong and self-willed. Most of the stories tell quite accurately about our daily life. Our favourite moment is the reading session in the evening, when I read her the bed-time stories.

I’m happy to have a job I love, and a few good friends. I like cooking, I often invite my friends to eat. I’m now working on Little Mouse -book number four. It tells about Mouse’s and his mother’s trip to their summer cottage.

When I’m in a creative slump, I… read comic books. Especially Asterix and Lucky Luke (classic comic books made by French and Belgian artists). Just reading the best comic books there are, often gives me the creative spark again. It’s like meeting old friends.

I think my greatest achievement is that my books have been translated in other languages. That little kids around the world are reading them.

In high school I had a very good Finnish teacher. She encouraged me to write more, and gave very good feedback. I still hear her voice in my head when I write.

My advice to you is … the world is nicer when you are nice yourself. And us artists, we should make the world a little more beautiful, rather than ugly.

The awesome kids over at Scribble Kids have given me a copy that I’ll be giving away next week over on Instagram. Make sure you pop by to enter!

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