Crackbrained crustacean

Anneli Kanto 2014: Älytön äyriäinen
illustrated by Kaisa Riekkinen


Alphabet in cute animal limericks.  We learn about the greedy wolverine (ahne ahma), Colorado beatle (very scary for potatoes), Reindeer and pike pearch (written with q qha when it is spelled with kuha), bug in Ooland (ötkkä Öölannista).



Not only do we learn about the letters, but also places like Urjala, Lieksa, Kerimäki. Even my boys listened carefully, which you have to do in order to really get what is being said.

Qhalla on nuha. (The pike pearch has a flue)

 Even z and x find an animal: zz fly and Räxy (fieldfare). Very clever and Merikåtka (whitetaled eagle) has the honor to be written with swedish o, when it really shoud be spelled with regular o. It makes the bird more distinguished.

Nursery rhymes

Edited by Ismo Loivamaa
Illustrated by Rudolf Koivu
Kas kuusen latvassa -Suomen lasten runolipas 2012
Jos sul lysti on -Suomen lasten leikkirunot 2014

Unen sinistä maata päin -Suomen lasten tuutulaulut ja iltarunot 2014

Three different collections of nursery rhymes and poems. The illustrations to all three books are made by Rudolf Koivu (1890-1946), one of the most beloved childrens illustrators in Finland

At the top of the spruce (Kas kuusen latvassa) 

- The poems of Finnish children
This collection  tells what the Finnish childhood is made of: good mood, home, warm arms to hold, games and nature. The poets of this book are familiar to Finns: Sakari Topelius and Immi Hellen just to name few.  Many of the poems are more known as childrens songs: Such as "Kas kuusen latvassa" and "Maan korvessa kulkevi".

Jos sul lysti on (If you' re happy)

- the playing poems of Finnish children
These poems were used in children's games. The poems take the reader to summery beatches and wintery hills. The poems are familiar to many generations.

Olle, dolle, doff

In the book is also an american poem that still is sung in Finland "Jos sul lysti on". Some of the rhymes are from Sweden and they haven't even been translated. An example  is "olle, dolle, dof", which at leas in our games is used to deciding who's turn is it.

Unen sinistä maata päin (Toward the blue land of sleep)

-Finnish Children's lullabies and evening poems

Again these lullabies are sung from generation to generation.  These poems are written by Immi Hellen, Kirsi Kunnas, Martti Haavio and Hannele Huovi.