Gøril Sæther and Oda Valle - Selected Title Authors
We are happy to present our selected title author Gøril Sæther, who has written The World of Pets. Everything You Need to Know About Our Animal Friends (original title: Den store boka om kjæledyr). The book is illustrated by Oda Valle and it is one of NORLA’s Selected Titles of the spring 2025.
What is your book about?
When Norway went into lockdown during the pandemic, we did the same thing as so many others: we got a pet. In my case, it was a dwarf hamster named Kirby. I observed Kirby’s tiny life in his cage: scurrying around, hoarding food, and burying it for later. That was the start of a short story about a hamster. Then, I started getting interested in other pets—specifically how they made their journey from the wild to becoming members of human families, shaped by geography and cultural history. The book contains a mini-biography of each pet, including the common ones, like dogs and cats, and the more unusual ones, like lizards. Many children want a pet but lack the knowledge to care for one properly. Pets don’t just come from pet stores; they originate from steppes, deserts, high mountains, and tropical islands. That means they require a lot of us, including proper care and treatment based on their natural needs and instincts. And lots of pets live much longer than people expect! I’ve tried to present tips and facts in a way that’s both entertaining and educational.
What inspired you to write this book?
This book is truly one of a kind, which is why we thought it was important to bring to life! For the very youngest, there are picture books about the most common pets. But for children around age six—when they really start putting pressure on their parents—there was a need for a thorough book that takes pets (and children!) seriously. This book can serve as an inspiration for families who are considering getting a pet or who already have one. But you don’t need to own a pet to enjoy it, either! It’s a book about animals, after all—and it can be fun to read about snakes and guinea pigs even if you have no plans on bringing one home.
What is your book about?
I was thrilled when my editor asked me to illustrate Gøril Sæther’s text because I love animals—especially drawing them!
Animals come in an amazing range of forms and species, from tiny stick insects to all kinds of dog breeds. Drawing animals is never boring; they come in so many shapes and sizes! Birds are my favorite. I especially love illustrating birds with lots of colors and patterns—they’re a big inspiration to me. The most challenging animal to draw was the snake. I actually have a snake phobia! I can barely even look at a photo of one, so drawing them without getting a little creeped out was tough. But their fascinating shapes work well visually in a children’s book. And it always helps when you make them look cute. Putting a smile on a snake always does the trick!
What inspired you to illustrate this book?
This book is for children who love animals and who are trying to figure out which pet might be the best fit for them. It’s packed with tons of fun facts about pets in general, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.
For example, I learned that lobster stick insects are a thing. I’d never heard of them before! They were so much fun to draw. I love illustrating all kinds of insects and unusual creatures!
Read more
See full presentation of the book here
Read more about Gøril Sæther and Oda Valle
See all NORLA’s Selected Titles for the spring 2025 here
