Pikkuli, the smallest bird

Metsämarja Aittokoski: Pikkuli
Illustrated by Elli Vuorinen


Pikkuli is a small bird. Even when it (again we do not know if Pikkuli is a boy or a girl, it is always referred as "it") hatches, it needs help. Mom and Dad hear Pikkuli saying it cannot. Pikkuli's parents are trying to entourage it to break the egg. Pikkuli's brother and sister are eagerly learning how to fly, but Pikkuli is repeating "I cannot."

Eating is a problem for Pikkuli, too. Pikkuli's beak is too small for the worm. And again Pikkuli says "I can't".

Then it is time to learn to fly. Guess what? Pikkuli says " I can't" and does not even try.

Pikkuli decides to run away. It meets a woodpecker, who is trying to find food. Finally the woodpecker finds a big bug. It was worth trying, says the woodpecker to Pikkuli.  Pikkuli sees many animals, which all can do things. Pikkuli still thinks, it cannot do anything. Finally Pikkuli meets a bird, which seems to have mismatch body parts. Its neck is stuck under the water and is about to drown. Pikkuli is looking around: isn't anybody going to help the poor bird?  Then Pikkuli dives in and untangles the long neck. The odd bird, Honkkeli, says it never learns how to catch fish. Pikkuli thinks, they should try together. Then they dive and fish. Pikkuli's family is amazed at the transformation.  But Pikkuli still can not fly. Dad says none of them fly south until Pikkuli can join them. Pikkuli is happy, it is liked even though it cannot anything. Then Pikkuli tries flying and succeeds. Then the whole family flies south. Well Pikkuli dives and does other things,

I have been substituting in comprehensive school and I have seen, how kids get discouraged, if they don't succeed immediately. They do not want to practice and it is sad. I keep telling them that is why they are in school, to learn things. Very odd! The Pikkuli story is a great lesson for all children to keep trying.

You can find learning material, coloring pages and much more at Pikkuli homepage,

Pikkuli is also an animation at YLE, Pikkuli tv-series at Yle.

Ella and Aleksi

Ella & Aleksi with a professor Mole

Ella and Aleksi started as a music project of Markku Koskinen ja Sampo Haapaniemi. The first album "Lenni Lokinpoikanen" was released in 2004. The songs were rapped by two 4-year-olds (Ella and Aleksi are not their real names). The topics were about environment and the album received a reward for environmental education.

In 2011 was released an animated movie Surprise Birthday about the siblings.

Several books have been published about the siblings. Here is a few.

 

Ella and Aleksi go to see professor Mole for advice

 Katri Manninen: Myy, myy myyrä 2011

Ella and Aleksi cultivate flowers, but they do not grow. Inspector Dog tell them to go see Professor Mole. The Professor can make special dirt that will make the flowers grow.

The special dirt needs different ingredients that Ella and Aleksi will have to get: banana skins, egg shells and manure.

Inspector dog gives advice on cutivating flowers

The book is based on the song: "Myy myy myyrä".
The lyrics of the song:

"Myy myy myyrä multaa mulle
Käymään tuun sun luukulle
Myy myy myyrä multaa mulle
Sen vien kukkaruukulle

Mullassapa piilee taika
jonka voi vain aavistaa
Nyt on tullut meidän aika
kukat ruukuun istuttaa
Ensin täytyy saada multaa
Ella kanankakkaa tuo
Myyrällä on mustaa kultaa
Siispä matkaan myyrän luo"

Lenni the seagull chick

 Katri Manninen: Lenni Lokinpoikanen 2011
Aleksi is very good at riding his bike. Ella not so much, which makes her mad. She wants to be able to ride her bike without stabilisers.

Ella meets a seagul chick that doesn't know how to fly. Together they begin the learning path, which is not always easy.

Ella and Lenni share a problem and treats.

The  lyrics to the song "Lenni Lokinpoikanen":

"On Lenni pieni naurulokki,
Lenni äidin jalkaa nokki,
hae mulle lisää ruokaa,
silakoita, vatsa huokaa.
Lenni kuoriutui tää vasta,
munasta ja nyt parasta,
on alla äidin hellän siiven,
nukahtaa on hyvää siihen.

 Lenni nauttii kesästä ja kotipesästä
 Meille huutaa pystypäin ja se menee näin;
on Lenni lokinpoikanen, harmaavalkoinen
Lenni lokinpoikanen, on meri koti sen on
Lenni lokinpoikanen, harmaavalkoinen
Lenni lokinpoikanen, on meri koti sen"

Heidi Laine: Touhukkaat sisarukset 2012
Cartboard book with only few words introduce the characters from the Ella & Aleksi songs.

 

Ella & Aleksi and firends

 
Heidi Laine: Eläinystävät 2011
Another cardboard book about Ella & Aleksi animals. Very cute and note worthy is that a mole used to be "myyrä" at the time of the album release but then the name of the animal was change to "kontiainen". This is mentioned in the book. Let's talk about animals with their right names. The song does not sound as good if it had been kon-kon-kontiainen.

Ella & Aleksi's bugs