Monday, February 22, 2016

Grandma Bunny's skivacation surprise

Asta Vuokkomaa 2014: Mummi Pupun hiihtolomayllätys

Bunny Brown and Bunny White are going to their Grandma's for skivacation. In the olden days, there was always snow and everybody got a chance to ski.

Today it only rains and the boys are a little disappointed to visit their Grandma in the city. But Grandma has a surprise: she is taking them to the Bunny Islands in the south.  All kinds of things happen.

The ski vacation is in the southern parts of Finland on  week number 8 (the last week of February), Central Finland has the next week and North Finland has week 10. Officially the break is called Talviloma (Winterbreak), but everyone speaks about Hiihtoloma (Skibreak).


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Family adventure

Liisa Lauerma 2011: Sukuseikkailu
illustrated by Ismo Rekola

Noora and Nikke are exploring their family. Noora wants to what it was like, when Grandma was a child and Nikke wants to know, what it means that  great-great-grandfather was a sailor. Does it mean that the future generations will be working with sea?

The kids hear about the lovestories of their great-grandparents, what they got as a present for their wedding and what kind of skills and features they had. Whose hair does Nikke have? And where did Noora get her long and narrow fingers?  Every member of their family have charecteristics. Matti seemed to be an early bird.  Grandma Ursula was hard working and Grandma Maikki laughed alot.  Some relatives are seldom mentioned and families can have secrets.


The book introduces family peacock, which has a tail made of different family roots. Only syblings have the same kind of peacock tail.

While Noora and Nikke researc their family, they discover that their mother is from Häme and their Father's side comes from Carelia.

The book gives instructions how to collect family information, where grandparent's used to live and work and what the everyday life was like. What kind of meals did they prepare?

The book also has additional activities online about Geneology. What a wonderful hobby!



Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Duskweaver

Mila Teräs 2015: Hämärinkäinen
illustrated by  Karoliina Pertamo

Duskweaver is a small creature weaving dusk. Its job is important, because at dusk all night creatures start moving at dusk.

A florist Keikander does not want it to be dark, because his flower makers do not have enough time to make buds.  The florist decides to break the loom and he captures the Duskweaver. It is not good and the flowermakers get exhausted. Florist Keikand realizes his mistake and hurries to rescue Duskweaver.




People need dark for resting and slowing down. I believe also that if it wasn't for the dark winter, we would not appreciate the light summer nights.  Very poetic book.