Rosie Runs
By Marika Maijala
Translated from the Finnish by Mia Spangenberg
Rosie dreams of forests, meadows, hares, and freedom. A greyhound trapped at the racetrack, she sprints in endless circles – until one day, Rosie makes a fearless beeline to the enormous world beyond the track. Scared and a little excited too, Rosie runs through shadowy forests, a circus, a bustling train station, and even takes a quick dip alongside a ferry. She keeps running through small towns and whirling cities, observing the gentle, giddy moments of passersby. Readers will find peace in a private look at a man watering his plants, or a jolt of happiness at a long-snouted dog wearing a cap on a train. A book about taking in the wide world around you, Rosie Runs beckons young readers to rediscover their favorite hobbies and passions, and revel in the joy of playing and being among new friends.
Forthcoming on July 18th, 2023
Praise
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The illustration is relentlessly expressive, but at the same time precise. The technique chosen by the author supports the story and makes the speed visible. The wax crayon cannot be controlled, but the images are still perfect. Maijala’s artwork is seemingly clumsy, but on a closer look, it is perfectly controlled. The book is the first that Maijala has written. The text and the images skillfully carry the story together. The artwork of the book is the wildest Maijala so far.
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Rosie’s leap into freedom is an inspirational example of the opportunity to choose differently and refuse to achieve something that other people want you (or a dog) to achieve. As an object alone, Rosie Runs is both extremely beautiful and well thought-out . . . Maijala’s crayon illustrations are childlike. She intentionally plays with perspective and allows the lines to wobble. The result is uniquely alive and emotional. Boldly, the book speaks in the same image language as the child reader. Rosie’s body, as it is thrust forward, brings a strong sense of movement to the pictures. At the text level, Maijala’s sentences are unpretentiously short and descriptive, but at the same time lyrical and polished to perfection. Rosie Runs is an ambitious work of art.