Lottie Saahko, a young female author with long brown hair, blue eyes, and red lipstick smiling, wearing a white top with ruffled edges and denim overalls, standing against a teal background.

Hi, I’m Lottie, author of Lumi & the Wolf.

Design by Jason Cockcroft

lumi and the wolf cover lottie saahko michael morpurgo
Abstract orange starburst pattern on white background

Lumi & the Wolf

Out ON September 24!

Not long now until my debut middle-grade novel will be published by Hachette Children’s Group! Set in the frozen wilderness of Lapland, Lumi and the Wolf is an epic adventure story about an autistic girl who leads a wolf to a national park to save him from hunters. It has super-short chapters (2-4 pages), lots of action and cliffhangers, eco-themes, and themes of home, heritage, and belonging. It will be released as a beautiful hardback with a cover by the award-winning Jason Cockcroft and forest diary illustrations by me!

Check out my FAQ to find out more!

Preorder it signed from Papercat!
Mark as "Want to read" on Goodreads
A woman smiling warmly outdoors in a snowy winter setting, wearing a colorful winter hat, scarf, gloves, and a coat with snow on it.

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Hey there!

I’m Lottie

Lovely to meet you!

Hi, I'm Lottie Saahko. I’m the author of thirteen books in Finnish, and my first English book will be published in September 2026! That means I write books in two languages (and I speak five). I was born in Finland but raised in various countries around the world. Now I live in London.

I love writing, reading and drawing in my forest diary. I also take aerial hoop classes, and when I’m in Finland, I enjoy ice swimming, cross-country skiing and spending time with my grandfather. He is 91!

I also love creating content for Instagram and YouTube. Make sure to follow me for lots of writing and reading updates!

Read more about me

What would you like to know?

Snow-covered trees in a Lapland winter landscape under a clear blue sky.

My videos

Person reading a book on a light-colored bed with a pink keychain with a heart charm resting on the open book.

read my BLOG

Two reindeer standing in a snowy forest in Lapland with frosted trees during sunset or sunrise.

My research

Events and Visits

I’d love to visit you!

I am great with children of all ages. I have over five years’ experience of public speaking and school visits in Finland and am excited to bring my sessions to schools, bookshops, festivals, and libraries across the UK. I offer:

  • Traditional author talks, where I introduce my story and how I researched and wrote this book. I cover themes of nature/sustainability, neurodivergence and empathy towards difference.

  • Writing sessions where we explore story structure, characters and emotion before workshopping a story together. High energy and fun!

  • Forest Diary workshops, where we journal and draw about nature like Lumi. I can bring the forest indoors, so children can connect with nature without leaving the classroom, bookshop, or library.

An author on a school visit points at a presentation on a large screen in a classroom, showing photos and information about her upbringing Germany. Students sit at desks facing the screen.
Find out more!

  • 'Here is storytelling at its best, the story utterly mesmerising and deeply touching'

    — Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse

  • 'High adventure, neurodiverse feisty heroine, action-packed short chapters; it's a teacher's gold standard'

    — Jude, owner of the Only Make Believe Bookshop

  • 'A heartfelt adventure set in the snowy Finnish wonderlands. Sensitively written, this is bound to appeal to animal lovers everywhere'

    — Hannah Gold, Author of The Last Bear

  • 'Spellbinding, sensitively written and sweeps you away from the very first page'

    – Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls

  • ‘Hooked from page one, love that we meet the wolf so early on, and kids - you’ll have to make your own dinner because I’m on strike until I finish Lumi and the Wolf!’

    – Martina, owner of Chocolit Children’s Bookshop

  • 'Epic, enchanting, authentic – a brilliantly original animal story that stayed with me long after finishing.’

    – Emma Carroll, author of Dracula & Daughters

Blog
Keeping a Nature Journal
Keeping a Nature Journal
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Foraging in Finland
Foraging in Finland
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Reviews for Lumi and the Wolf
Reviews for Lumi and the Wolf

Early reviews ‘Lumi and the Wolf’ has received from authors such as Michael Morpurgo, Hannah Gold, Elle McNicoll as well as booksellers.

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Blog

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Words from my Editor

‘Lumi’s heart-stirring story is that rarest of things; a page-turner that feels like an instant classic. Enthralling and poignant, action-filled and beautifully-told, epic and cosy – I couldn’t stop reading from the opening page. This is a book to get lost in, and one which never leaves you – a perfect collaboration between an immensely talented writer and an award-winning illustrator. Lumi and the Wolf is just the beginning of the journey for a new and truly inspiring storyteller.’

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