Odds and Ends - Maija Hurme

Maija Hurme is an illustrator, writer, and graphic designer who spends half of her time working with children's literature and illustrations. Hurme, who lives in Helsinki, Finland, has illustrated many books for children. Her books have been nominated for the Nordic Council's Children's Literature Prize, the Finlandia Junior Prize, and the Arvid Lydecken Prize.

She likes to find inspiration for her stories in her own and others' children; nature; small, strange objects; and the environment. Mia Spangenberg holds a PhD in Scandinavian studies from the University of Washington, with a focus on Finnish literature and cultural studies. She is a 2017 graduate of the Finnish to English literary translation mentorship program organized by FILI, Finland's literary organization.

Spangenberg is passionate about championing international children's literature and writes articles for WorldKidLit about picture books from around the world.