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.

Aapeli and Veteran Reino

Maarit Malmberg 2010: Aapeli ja sotaveteraani Reino
illustrated by Jouni Koponen

Aapeli lives next door to a  retirement home. There lives Reino, who was in the Winter and Continuation war.

Aapli knows Reino and his dog Rauha. Aapeli visits Reino often and Reino tells him about his childhood in Carelia.

He tells Aapeli about the farm and all the animals they had. Aapeli knows that Reino is old and then Reino tells him about the war.


He remembers September 10th 1939, when he had just finished his army duty. Then he received a letter to join the army. The war hadn't started yet, but the recruitment was on already.

Reino explains about mobilization, shows him photos and tellss him about his duties in the war. He served as a medic and tells about the other boys and men, who got hurt. He even carried some of them to safety.

Aapeli asks, if Reino was scared. He says yes. Everyone was scared, those in the front and those back home. Aapeli asks, why he fought. Reino says he wanted to keep his home, which he couldn't keep. But he secured other homes. Aapeli's mother shows a map, where Finland was bigger.  Many people had to move, if they wanted to stay Finnish. Reino tells Aapeli that he was sad and mad, because he couldn't go home. But the most important part was that the war was over.

In Finland we talk about veterans, who fought in the Winter and Continuation War.  There aren't many left and I do not understand why we do not talk about the younger veterans who have served for the UN. I guess it needs more time.  This book is very matter of fact and even though it is about war, I think it is suitable to be read to school children. I know that many men and women who experienced the war did not like to talk about it. My Grandpa didn't.

Muzzle in the snow

Tuula Korolainen 2012: Kuono lumessa.
illustrated by Marjo Nygärd

Tassel is sweeping her empty room. She is mad: they are moving, because humans are building a road.  Her dad understands her, he is not happy either.

Tupsu doesn't want to leave her friends and bandy friends. Her parents try to comfort her. She can visit and write letters.

The mouse family starts to ski and soon Tupsu thinks she even enjoys skiing. The ski trail is even and easy. Tupsu notices others in the forest: the bullfinch is discussing with the great tit, the black grouse is feeding in the bushes and a hare has hopped over the tracks.

Suddenly dad stops, there is blood next to the tracks.  Dad tells Tupsu that in the forest are the same dangers as in the fields: fox, weasel, owl.  Dad starts to sing and Tupsu is not afraid anymore.

It starts to snow and Tupsu starts to slow down. It feels like a rubber band is attached to her back. The rubber band is pulling her back home. Tupsu turns around and starts to ski back. But the snow has covered the tracks and Tupsu gets lost.

Tupsu sees a squirrel and asks for directions, but the squirrel doesn't know. Tupsu is starting to loose faith.  A fox surprises her and grabs her. Tupsu wiggles and falls off to a pile of snow.  A group of mice saves her.  Tupsu finds new friends and together they find Tupsu's family.

Nice story about finding new friends, the dangers of snow and adventure.

Augustin Seagul and the winter at the Lighthouse island

Pia Staff 1999: Augustin Lokki ja majakkasaaren talvi

Augustin and his friends are planning a skiing trip to the near by lighthouse.  On their way they see trawlers waiting for spring. They have some picnic and they stop for a short break before they have to climb a hill.

Suddely a blizzard surprises them and Augustin is worried. Can they find their way? Pultti, his friend sees a small house and they take shelter, where they stay for the night.

Next moring they see a baby seal. The seaguls cannot leave it alone. At the same time Eevertti from the Lighthouse comes to look for them with a sail sled.  They take the baby seal with them. Finally they arrive at the lighthouse.

They all climb up the lighthouse to see the sights and with a telescope they see seals. They baby stays in the lighthouse, where it is fed and Augustin and his friends leave.
A good story about what to do, if you get caugh in a blizzard. (Which to the modern human happens very seldom.)

But winter is finally here. Let's enjoy it!

Snow woman Amalia

Vesa Löhönen 2004: Lumiakka Amalia
illustraded by Jukka Laukkanen

Old man has been a widow for twenty years and hasn't found a new wife. His kids are constantly urging him to find a wife so he wouldn't be so lonely.

One day the snow is wet enough so he makes a wife for himself so he does not have to listen to his kids.



But the snow woman starts to talk to him.  The old man is worried. Hopefully nobody sees him talking to the snow women. That would mean trouble.

The Old Man's son comes to visit with his kids. His son is worried about this friendship between his father and the snow woman. He decides to play along and sends his father and Amalia a post card. Amalia is glad.



The story ends before we find out, what happens when the snow melts. But it is a nice story. Maybe the kids should not meddle with their parents lives.

Christmas is almost here, Apo Apponen!

Juhani Känkänen 2013: Joulu on jo ovella, Apu Apponen!

Apo is a small boy anxiously waiting for Christmas. Is is Christmas already? Is it? What about now?

When first snow falls, Apo is ready to go sledding, but there is not enough snow.

I wonder if there are any Finnish families, where the kids do not wait for Christmas. Is it the parents fault that they have taught the kids to look forward to having presents?

The book is illustrated in a comic book fashion and it looks good and the mood of Apo is well portraited.

The wonderful Christmas of Tatu and Patu

Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen 2015: Tatun ja Patun ihmeellinen joulu

The Oddwille boys are back causing mayhem. They have been inveted to their friend's, Veera's,  house  for Christmas. Naturally, everything goes wrong from the start, when the boys accidently end up in the neighbour's house, while they are on vacation for the Holidays.

Tatu and Patu are not that familiar with the Christmas traditions,  but they seem to get it all wrong. Luckily the book has a happy ending they all have a lovely Christmas.

At the bottom left picture is illustrated
how the baking really looks like

The Best part of the book is comparing, what the boys imagined the Christmas would be like and then the reality. For example the baking seldom is as idyllic as it seems in the books. And even though there is a big mess, baking is fun.

Finnish elves for all seasons

Kirsi Manninen 2012: Tontun vuosi
photographs by Aki Paavola
English translation Malcolm Hicks

This book has also been published in English.
These elves live in Tyynelä. They show us what elves do, when it is not Christmas time.

The Finnish elf is the protector of the forrest and animals and some take part in the human activites in the household chores.  The elves cultivate hay and celebrate Kekri, the Finnish Halloween.

The elves harvestin

The book also includes old recepies for all seasons from Shrovetide pea soup to Christmas porrigde and potato casserole.

The book is illustrated with lovely photographs, which sometimes look very Swedish to me. But most of the Finnish Christmas traditions come from Sweden.

Christmas at Tyynelä

Christmas poems of the Finnish Children

Edited by Ismo Loivamaa 2015: Suomen lasten joulurunot
illustrations by Rudolf Koivu

The book includes old Finnish Christmas poems and some new. Most of the poems I recognize as Christmas song that we have been singing as long as I can remember.

At the end of the book is told how the poems have changed their emphasis over the years form religious and patriotic to warmth and nearness.

Elved preparing for Christmas (Rudolf Koivu)

The illustrations are by Rudolf Koivu and in my eyes are very nostalgic.

Christmas at Dollhouse Väinölä

Maria Malmström 2015: Nukkekoti Väinölän joulu

Dollhouse Väinölä is getting ready for Christmas. They make the traditional Christmas treats out of polymer and they look delicious!

Maria Malmström also makes Christmas decorations, my favourite is a miniature cross of Thomas, Tuomaan risti.  She also makes elves, Christmas tree, straw stars and even a engel bell.

For gifts there are instructions how to make a Star of Africa, a tradiotional Finnish board game, rocking horse, sled, doll,  Reino slipprs.

Tuomaan risti (Cross of Thomas)

The photos in this book are full of details and the instrucktions are simple enough for even me to follow. If only I had the patience.

This is the book to read, if you are looking for the Christmas spirit, even if you are not into crafts. Sometimes I forget that I was reading about a doll house and when it hit me, I was facinated how detailed everything was even though they were teeny tiny.

Dollbouse Christmas presents.