I have been working professionally as an illustrator and graphic designer since about 2008. From the very beginning, my work has been deeply rooted in children’s and youth culture, focusing primarily on illustrations for both children’s picture books and educational materials. My expertise lies in character-driven illustration, serving both pedagogical goals and engaging narrative storytelling.
On my free time I like to paint with traditional media, relax with pottery and occasionally reset by taking ‘just one more turn’ in a game of Civilization. I love cats, flowers are nice, bees are awesome and nothing is cooler than old robots!
Below is a selected bibliography, overview of clients that I’ve had the pleasure to work with and a list of other projects I’ve been happy to have been part of.
Some of my clients
Otava, Sanoma Pro, WSOY, Karisto, Finnish National Agency for Education, Finnish National Broadcasting Company YLE, Rovio Entertainment Ltd., Storytel, Paletti, The Guides and Scouts of Finland, Fairtrade Italy and Finland, plus for example, the cities of Espoo, Tampere and Hämeenlinna.
Children's Books (selected)
- Varzan Virtasten Valtias (2025)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Otava / ISBN: 9789511514831Nooma ↗
- Naapurissa: Hurja Halloween (2025)Illustrator / Authors: Salla Salmela, Iina Hyttinen / Publisher: WSOY / ISBN: 9789510520338
- Hirveä Ikävä (2025)Illustrator / Author: Vuokko Hurme / Publisher: Into Kustannus / ISBN: 9789523935648Nooma ↗
- Vilma Virtanen ja Kaveri (2024)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Otava / ISBN: 9789511490777Nooma ↗
- Hirveä Hoppu (2023)Illustrator / Author: Vuokko Hurme / Publisher: Into Kustannus / ISBN: 9789523931770Nooma ↗
- Kastehelmi Virtanen ja Ötökät (2023)Illustrator / Author: Vuokko Hurme / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789511471349Nooma ↗
- Virtasten Joulut (2022)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Otava / ISBN: 9789511432982
- Hirveä Nälkä (2021)Illustrator / Author: Vuokko Hurme / Publisher: Into Kustannus / ISBN: 9789523516939Nooma ↗
- Paavo Virtanen ja Tauti (2021)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789511380924Nooma ↗
- Veera Virtanen ja Kiusaaja (2020)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512367153
- Virtaset huvipuistossa (2018)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512364251
- Vilma Virtanen virpomassa (2017)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512362448
- Perttu Virtanen ja varkaus (2016)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512360710
- Virtasten lapset ja pentu (2015)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512359110
- Paavo Virtanen ja pimeys (2014)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512356577
- Angry Birds: Stella and the Hunt for the Jade Egg (2013)Illustrator / Author: Sari Peltoniemi / Publisher: Rovio Entertainment Ltd. / Released in various languages / ISBN: 9781608873760
- Veera Virtanen ja esikoulu (2013)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512356577
- Perttu Virtanen ja kateus (2012)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512356034
- Kastehelmi Virtanen ja oma tahto (2012)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512355365
- Paavo Virtanen ja tyttöjen tavarat (2011)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512354313
- Vilma Virtanen ja uimaito (2011)Illustrator / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / Released also in Arabic in 2020 / ISBN: 9789512352913
School Book illustrations (selected)
- Preschool Journey with Pocket Puffs (2024)Illustrator / Authors: Anniina Berg, Merja Kuosmanen, Maria Marin / Publisher: Otava / Preschool study book (also released in Finnish: Eskariretki) / ISBN: 9789511498186
- Milli 1-2 (2018, 2019)IllustratorPublisher: Sanoma Pro / Math school books, also released in Sweden
- High Five! 5 (2018)IllustratorPublisher: Otava / English school books, also released in Estonia / ISBN: 9789511310457
- Hight Five! 4 (2017)IllustratorPublisher: Otava / English school books, also released in Estonia / ISBN: 9789511296478
- High Five! 3 (2016)IllustratorPublisher: Otava / English school books, also released in Estonia / ISBN: 9789511273424
- Suomea luvassa (2016)IllustratorPublisher: Opetushallitus / ISBN: 9789521359170
Book Cover illustrations (selected)
- Kosti Kuutamo -series (2022-2023)Cover illustration / Author: Mikko Kalajoki / Publisher: Storytel / Storytel Audiobook series
- Punaviiva (2012)Cover illustration / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512356065
- Pusu ja pokaali (2012)Cover illustration / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512356270
- FC Tytsyt (2010)Cover illustration / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512352906
- Huippuvalmentaja (2011)Cover illustration / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512354672
- Kasi kentälle (2009)Cover illustration / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512351480
- Tulikärpäset (2009)Cover illustration / Author: Anneli Kanto / Publisher: Karisto / ISBN: 9789512350988
Other works (selected)
- Kukkalähetys -Postage Stamp (2022)IllustratorPosti / One of five winners in design competition for new stamps (held by Posti, Grafia Ry and Kuvittajat Ry)
- Official Advent Calendar for Guide and Scouts of Finland (2014, 2015, 2016)IllustrationThe Guides and Scouts of Finland
- Kutitus – Children's Art Festival (2010-2018)Illustrations for posters, leafletsCity of Espoo
- Suklaan matkassa (2014)Illustrations for study material about chocolate productionFairtrade Finland / Also released by Fairtrade Italia
- Christmas postcards for Mannerheim league for children welfare (2012)illustrationsPaletti Oy