Overly helpful Sandman

Harri Tarkka 2005: Liian innokas nukkumatti

 Nestori the platipus is ready to go to sleep, when all of a sudden his room is filled with noise:his friend Pystyhylje, the seal is playing sandman and wants to get Nestori to sleep.

The effect is quite the opposite. The sandman wannabe offers Nestori a sleep menu, where he can choose what kind of dream he would like to see: maybe arriving to the daycare naked? Or be a hero or food?

Pystyhylje and Buffen argue

 When Nestori is almost falling asleep his buddy makes some noise so he can't. Bluffen, Nestori's pelican friend arrive and he and Pystyhylje start to argue what kind of sand is the best for falling a sleep (in Finnish we use unihiekka, sleep sand to get children to sleep). Finally Nestori falls asleep listening to them argue.

Sleep is very important and falling asleep is difficult to some children (and adults). This sandman does not help.

Menu for dreams: naked in daycare, getting strong, flying,
being a lizard, being food

Finally the two sleep professionals understand to leave
and let Nestori 

The knights of the Baltic Sea

Karin Henriksson 2012: Itämeren ritarit
illustrated by Harri Tarkka

Aino Ahven (perch), Harri Hauki (pike) and Kaisa Kampela (flounder) are eager pupils. Today they learn about scary things called humans.

The teacher tells them that humans are polluting their homes and force everyone to move. Aino, Harri and Kaisa want to talk some sense to the humans. Teacher  advises them to see Granpa Seal, who knows magis since he once was in the circus.
Aino, Harri and Kaisa meet Granpa Seal and get the ability to talk to humans. They swim to shore and meet some kids. The kids promise to do everything in their power to stop the polluting.

Very educational book about the poor condition of the Baltic Sea. When Kaisa and Harri are too deep in the dead part of the sea, it actually feels lifeless. The illustrations are that good. The importance of human action is greatly emphasised.