Case of stalagmite

Laura Ruohonen 2017: Tippukivitapaus
Illustrated by Erika Kallasmaa

Colorful poems about all kinds of creatures. This book surely shows Finnish language at its best. If these poems were written in English, I would not understand them. The beauty is based on the similarities of the words. For example Tapani from Haaparanta, who alters his habbits (parantaa tapansa) or the icefishers having a picnic in Piikkö (Piikkiöläiset pilkkijät piknikillä). And naturally for me it all rhymes! No modern poems for me.

We also learn about the hot tears of the volcano (of which we know nothing about), what the picky eater has for lunch or what happens when you have gloves (you have to have hands, if you have hands you need a piano and so on..). And naturally there is the discussion - or  the argument if you wish - if the sauna whisk is actually called vihta or vasta.


This was also transformed into a musical at the Finnish National Theater, Kansallisteatteri in Helsinki

Here's a "music video" named "If you have gloves" and you can listen to the music in Spotify

Picky-eaters lunch

Sauna whisk in west vs. Sauna whisk in east

Tsuuum!

Ollikainen, Antti 2018: Tsuuum!

Robots Valtteri and Tappi are building a something. While doing it, they make all  kinds of funny sounds.  There are no words, only the sounds written out.

This book has also been published in Swedish. Funny that Tsuum is Vroom in Swedish.  Go figure.

Glider - the flying squirrel

Elina Kynsijärvi 2013: Liituri
Photographs: Benjam Pönttinen

Glider's son wants to see the world. His mother thinks, it is too soon. The book is written is rhyme and the photos tell the story of the life of the flying squirrel.

Flying squirrel is probably the most hated animal in Finland if you ask any developer or constration worker. Many building projects have been iced, because some flying squirrel dropping have been found on the site. I have heard that these droppings have been found even in the middle of a field, where the flying squirrels do not live. People are using it as as scapegoat, when they do not want  new buildings near them. Stupid people!

Glider's family ready to see the world. 

The flying squirrel is endangered and its in habitat is to be reserved.  The book is beautiful and since the flying squirrel is really hard to see, it makes the species visible and familiar.

At YLE Areena you can see a film about the flying squirrel in Finland. At least in Spring 2018.

YLE also wrote about making flying squirrel crossing in Helsinki. I really want to see that traffic sign.

Small naturebook

Mauri Kunnas 2018: Pieni luontokirja

Aaah! Spring! Well not winter any way. My favourite children's author has made a nature book.

The book starts with birds, because the summer isn't here until the swallows have arrived. There are many others that come sooner like larks, finches and cranes.

Then comes bugs, plants, trees get their own section since we are know for our forests. Berries are next, I don't think people utilize enough the berries we have.

Animals are the last section (I know: bugs are animals, too). This section covers mammals, reptiles (we have two: snakes and salamanders) and frogs.

The bugs have gain a new appreciation due to research showing
we need them, if we want to eat.

This is great book and it does not bother me one bit that the pictures are drawn. Even the photos are not always accurate. It is really hard to recognize a bird.  I have lived most of my life in the countryside and I have spent many hours watching the birds and plants. My dad even quizzes me about the 30 different type of trees he has on his land.

It would be sad if the kids in the cities never learned to tell the difference between different birds.