Triinu Laan (1975) is a manager of cultural activities and a children's writer. She graduated in law from the Tallinn School of Economics and received a master’s degree in cultural management from the University of Tartu in 2018. She is involved in the translation and editing of Võro-language books, and organizes events aimed at the promotion of the Võro language and culture. As an author, Laan has written four children’s books, all of which are in both the Võro (a regional language in South Estonia), and Estonian languages. Her debut work,
The Big Black Dog, (published under her previous name Triinu Ojar) received immediate international acclaim and was listed in the White Ravens catalogue.
Profile photo: Argo Ainjärv
Awards
2026
IBBY Honour List (
The Boy and the Papa)
IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages (
John the Skeleton)
Nukits competition, 2nd place (
The Boy and the Papa)
Hans Christian Andersen Award Jury Selection: Outstanding Children's Book (
The Boy and the Papa)2025Mildred L. Batchelder Award (
John the Skeleton)
Kirkus Prize (USA) finalist (middle-grade list) (
John the Skeleton)
Andersen Prize in Italy (
John the Skeleton)
Bernard Kangro Literary Award (
The Boy and the Papa, Keelepesätsirgu jutu`)
Childhood Prize (Tartu Prize for Children's Literature) (
The Boy and the Papa)The Knee-High Book Competition, 3rd place (
Dad's Plaster Story)
Rahva Raamat Award: best children's book by an Estonian author (The Boy and the Papa)2024
Annual Children’s Literature Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia (
The Boy and the Papa)
Good Children’s Book (
The Boy and the Papa)
2023
Latvian Children's, Young Adults' and Parents' Jury (Bērnu, jauniešu un vecāku žūrija), 2th place (age 9+), (
John the Skeleton)2022Nukits competition, 3rd place (
John the Skeleton)2021Childhood Prize (Tartu Prize for Children's Literature) (
John the Skeleton)The White Raven (
John the Skeleton)
2020Good Children’s Book (
John the Skeleton)
Annual Children’s Literature Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia nominee (
John the Skeleton)
2016Raisin of the Year Award (
The Old Broken Cat)Annual Children’s Literature Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia nominee (
The Old Broken Cat)
2008The White Ravens (
The Big Black Dog)
2007Annual Children’s Literature Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia nominee (
The Big Black Dog)
2006The Knee-High Book Competition, Special Prize for an animal story (
The Big Black Dog)
