Button and Popper

Oili Tanninen

This classic reissue of a Finnish fairy tale first published in 1964 tells the story of twin pixie brothers who find their family a new home.

Button and Popper tells the story of a family of pixies—mother, father, and twelve children—who live in an apple tree. They enjoy its warmth and shelter, eating apple pie all spring and summer long. But when fall comes, the leaves begin to drop and the apple tree becomes a cold and wet place to live. Twin brothers Button and Popper decide to find their family a new home, but when they trek into the city and start inquiring about an apartment with room for twelve children and their parents, people laugh in their faces or politely excuse themselves.

Luck strikes when, through a most fortunate mix-up at the market, the pixies find themselves in the home of Professor Pilli. When he hears their story, he invites them to look after his house while he’s away at the South Pole. When the rest of their pixie family finds out the good news, everyone is relieved and happy again.

First published in 1964, Button and Popper was written and illustrated by Oili Tanninen, one of Finland’s most celebrated illustrators and authors. Bold, on-trend, midcentury illustrations support this new translation of a classic Finnish story that’s quirky and charming in equal measure.

Reviews

Illustrated in saturated shades of yellow, orange, and black with simple geometric shapes and line designs reminiscent of Marimekko textiles, this 1960s reissue from Finland possesses retro charm… Sweet and appealing… A visual delight.

— Kirkus Reviews

Midcentury illustrations accompany the new translation of the classic story by one of Finland's most celebrated author-illustrators.

— Publishers Weekly

Contributors

Oili Tanninen

Author

Oili Tanninen is a celebrated Finnish illustrator and author with over twenty children’s books to her name. She has received several major awards, including the Hans Christian Andersen Certificate of Honor (three times over). She lives in Helsinki.