**Addictive middle-grade fantasy!**From where and how after a great storm had Snupsi once appeared on Juniper Island beach remains a mystery. Back then, the only object lying beside him was an old worn compass with a hovering hand under the hazy dome, pointing its finger towards the horizon.
What secrets and adventures does the other side of the horizon hide? Can Snupsi find out who his parents are from where he came from?As it later appears, randomly looking adventures seem to have mysterious connection. Caring, understanding, bravery and wit help to overcome challenges, find new friends and reconcile conflicts.
"Snupsi" is a thrilling and humorous fantasy story, packed with over 200 pages of reading, 30+ pictures and enjoyed by children and adults alike.
"Snupsi" was first published in 2015 and was nominated as one of the best children's books of the year. In 2018 "Snupsi" was translated into English and featured in the Baltic stand at the London Book Fair as one of the most outstanding children's books.
So, who is Snupsi? He is a curious and adventurous fellow, who lives on a tiny northern Juniper island. He is quite happy there, but from time to time, sorrow creeps in. At times he finds himself sitting on the pier with that old peculiar compass, staring at the sea and wondering where the hovering hand under the dome could be pointing to.
When the island's brightest scientist Helden finishes his flying machine Escapist, Snupsi has finally the chance to explore the world beyond the island borders and an unforgettable journey begins with his friends Patter, Tinken, Hiku, Nuff and Helden begins.
The author has sculpted all the book's characters from colourful plasticine. They have been the basis for the book's illustrations. The pictures of these sculptings can also be found inside the book.
There are also 3D printed figurines and a cuddly plush Snupsi with a backpack! Check the author's page to find them!
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Author
If one had to describe you in one word after reading the book, it would probably be “Imagination”. The characters look unearthly, yet are adorable and warm that one can immediately relate to. The adventures take the fellows to lands and even planets that keep on surprising with new characters and twists.
How did all that come out of you?
I think imagination has been always one of my strongest sides, but I had never put it much into practice as an adult until I wrote “Snupsi”. The book was born on one island where my everyday companions were all sorts of wild creatures. I had been living and working so long in the city environment, that something inside me craved for the nature. Then, I didn't exactly know what it was, but I knew where I had to go there and start writing.
So, everything in Snupsi has been written without you knowing prior of what happens next or even where the story ends?
Precisely, as if I were a mere observer! But I didn't "see" exactly the characters. I had to sculpt them. Only after the right color mix or the right feeling, the material started speaking to me and the character was born. It took me about a year to accomplish all that after writing.
The short cliff-hanging chapters will entice young people, and their parents, as it introduces them to Snupsi. Readers will quickly love this little blue guy who co-pilots the flying machine, the Escapist. Hanno Parksepp wrote this illustrated adventure for those in middle school, but this would be a fun book to read to younger children. As he begins his journey of uncharted lands, the readers wonders if he will find his family. Along with the significance of the compass given to him by his parents.
I love how Hanno Parksepp enforces good behavior within her characters, making them likeable to kids and parents. Snupsi shows bravery in difficult times and the importance of being friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these creatures’ expedition and the imagination the author put into this child's book.
I read the English version that is available on Amazon.
‘Juniper Island had been experiencing the unsettled nature of autumn for some time.’
Estonian author and artist Hanno Parksepp has MA in law and BA in diplomacy and though born in Estonia he now lives n Belgium where he creates plasticine sculptures of Snupsi – the figures became the inspiration for his debut book SNUPSI. Most of "Snupsi's" characters have been created pre-hand in plasticine and are the basis for the book's illustrations. Mariann Joa assists with the illustrations and Juta Ristsoo is the translator.
Hanno introduces Snupsi’s home Juniper Island – ‘In the evening, the Juniper Island beach was quiet and dreamily peaceful. The waves gently coming ashore and the laid-back chirping of the grasshoppers among the bulrushes singing their pleasant song was all one could hear. Suddenly the sound of running feet and squealing resounded. The sound became louder, and then faded away, replaced by energetic splashing of water. There was no doubt that the voices were coming from the fisherman’s wharf. Between the fishermen’s boats at the end of the pier, sat a blue figure making rings in the seawater with his feet. He stopped for a moment, muttered something to himself and kicked up golden beads of water, lit by the glow of the sun. The solitary figure wore a backpack with yellow pockets on the sides. And when he adjusted it, its contents jangled mysteriously, as if to give a hint of the interesting things inside. Viewed from afar, the figure seemed to have rabbit ears, but upon closer examination, it turned out that he was not a rabbit and those were not rabbit ears. They were weird antennas, the tips of which were a playful orange colour. As he muttered to himself, the antennas moved from side to side, and sometimes his large and inquisitive eyes narrowed, for instance, when he scratched his head.’
Though the joy of this beautifully written and illustrated book is in the reading, the plot of the story helps: ‘As you probably know or have guessed, Snupsi is the name of the book’s main character. He is a curious and adventurous fellow living on Juniper island. He is a bit furry and all blue, except the orange tips of his antennas and soles of his feet. The later are a bit strangely coloured – white. And if you wonder, do they get dirty, then my answer is – a little. But by no means is the book only about Snupsi. It is an adventure story where all his friends – uncle Helden, Patter, Tinken, Hiku and Nuff – have equally important role. Snupsi is not quite a typical youngster. Yes, he is cheerful and really enjoys his life on the tiny Juniper Island like any other kid there. But from time to time, something else seeps in – sorrow, accompanied by lots of questions. At times he finds himself sitting on the pier with an old compass, staring in turn at the sea and a funny looking compass needle – a hovering tiny finger not pointing to the north, but towards the horizon. Years ago, there was a huge thunderstorm on Juniper island. After the weather had calmed down, one could see very unusual sight on the ragged beach full of debris. There was about a year old Snupsi, playing happily in the sand with a strange looking weathered compass… but with no one beside him. And nobody on the island had seen him before either. It was obvious that Snupsi was not born and raised there. But where? The same question had been haunting Snupsi ever since Helden, who found him on the beach and raised him as his own, had told him that story.‘
Though the book is designated for ages 6 – 12 years, it is so full of charm (and excellent illustrations) that the book is bond to become a family favorite. The original plasticine sculptures on which the characters are based are shared at book’s end – a veritable art gallery! Recommended.
WOW. When I find precious gems like this, I want to buy a bunch of them for classroom libraries! I actually used to do that when my children were in elementary school.
Snupsi was a fantastical character with fun loving, diverse friends, exploring the world on a new flying invention. Although his heritage is unknown at the beginning, he finds his family by chance (or fate?).
I loved how our orphan main character did not exhibit super hero skills or was prophesied to save the world. I loved the characters’ growth, humour, and appropriate intelligence through deduction of choices and outcomes. Or by happen chance.
This is a wonderful tale narrated by a marvelous voice actor. His tone and speed correlated to the emotions and events unfolding. I was captivated from the first word.
Highly recommended for young listeners. Adult listeners could enjoy this as well. No violence nor suggestive /questionable content.
This is my voluntary review of an audiobook received for free. During my listen, the author also gifted me the ebook with the most adorable illustrations! Hopefully, the illustrations can be added to the audiobook in the near future as an additional file downloaded with the purchase.
Listen to the book and add the book or ebook for an immeasurable added bonus!
Snupsi: (packed with humor, twists and beautiful illustrations, perfect for kids age 6 12 and bedtime reading) by Hanno Parksepp is such a great book for young kids and teens. With beautiful and quirky illustrations,(modeled after actual sculptures) a cute story, and a great setting, this book has a lot going for it. Snupsi lives on Juniper Island, a place that is filled with adventure. When Snupsi's Uncle Heldon builds a flying machine named the Escapist, the adventure truly begins. Finally Snupsi might be able to travel beyond the borders of Juniper Island. While not a short book at two hundred pages, maybe read a few pages at night, this is a fantastic read for kids and will inspire their imagination. The plentiful drawings will keep their attention and really help to flesh out the story. Highly recommend for an innovative and unique story.
Explore with Snupsy! A fun, imaginative story for kids and teens, but all can enjoy. The story is about Snupsi who lives on the adventurous Juniper Island but want to go around the world. His dream comes true when island's brightest scientist Helden finishes his flying machine Escapist. Now Snupsi has a chance to go around the world and find answers to his questions, that he has always wondered. The book takes the reader to interesting and adventurous journey of the various places. The book has pictures that helps the kids follow the story. It’s a long book so multiple sittings is the way to do or a bed time book.
What a cute book and wonderful illustrations. The short chapters will entice young readers and their parents, as it introduces them to Snupsi. Readers will quickly love this little blue guy who co-pilots the Escapist a flying machine. As he begins his journey of uncharted lands, readers wonder if he will find his family. I love how Hanno Parksepp encourages good behavior within her characters, making them likeable. Snupsi shows bravery in difficult times and the importance of being friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the expedition and what imagination the author put into this book.