At the Duke's Court: life in the 16th century Turku

Paula Moilanen 2007: Herttuan hovissa : elämää 1500-luvun Turussa
Illustraded by Kirsi Haapamäki

An time travel to the 16th century Turku and Turku Castle. Hans Hansson's and his family's lives change, when they get a chance to work as servants in the Duke Juhan's  (later the Swedish King John III of Sweden) court.

The book is based on facts, but also has a fictional plot. The timeline is between 1559-1562.

In the book are described different seasonal events such as the shrovetide. Different chapters tell the everyday life between the upper, even royal, class and the servents. The story takes us to the spinning hut, to the apothecary's kitchen and to the habitat of many different professionals.

Map of Turku

The illustrations of the book support the story and the story combined with facts make history feel alive.

An example:

In 1562 Sweden declares war to Poland and despite the King's oppostion, his brother John decides to marry Catherine Jagiellon, princess of Poland. The fight between the brothers casts deep shadows upon the Finns, but also  the arrival of  the princess of such a great nation coming to
Finland is celebrated.

Feast in the Duke's court

A  great book for any one interested in the middle ages and a reminder of how a big role Sweden has played in the Finnish history. It might also explain why the Finns are so reluctant to learn Swedish: it is the language of the conqueror.

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).

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!

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.