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Children Need Space And Opportunities
Axel and Ava as Cat Sitters follow two friends as they try a little too hard to make friends with a new cat. What was the inspiration for your story?
I feel great sympathy for the little ones, just like Axel and Ava. That’s why I have published a whole series of books about their adventures – “Axel and Ava as Cat Sitters,” “Ava and the Last Bird,” and “Axel Washes the Rug.” In these stories, children learn to endure adversities and face their consequences. They also gain confidence and succeed in their way.
Children are just getting to know the world and doing many things for the first time in their lives. They often have more ideas and enthusiasm than actual knowledge and the ability to implement them.
I think it’s important that adults understand children’s enthusiasm and support it. Children need space and opportunities for their ideas even when they are very young. Of course, we must observe that various mistakes and failures occur safely.
Attitudes around children have a significant impact on the rest of their lives. In addition to basic physical security, children need mental protection that encourages their self-esteem and helps them to grow into balanced adults.
I was a very active child with new ideas in mind all the time. There was a lot that I wanted to test and try, including many fruitless efforts. Making candles almost resulted in a fire, and my rose perfume turned out to be a very unpleasant brown liquid. Preserving berries with sand wasn’t a success either.
But even the failed attempts brought joy, and I learned to become an optimist. I continued my efforts and often succeeded in the end! In my books, Axel and Ava are doing the same.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
I have to admit that I’ve never had pets for a longer time. A kitten was brought to my home when I was very young. We didn’t become friends, as the cat just ran after me in the house. After some days of constant crying, the cat had to go.
Although I haven’t gotten pets since, there is a good relationship between the animals and me, especially with those living freely in nature. I write a lot at our leisure home in the countryside. The house has large windows from which I can follow the events of the nearby nature as I write. I keep binoculars near me all the time. When I see something exciting, I immediately go out to take photos.
Sometimes the chicks fall out of the nest, the deer calves get lost from their mother, the stubborn darts or other birds fly against the window, or the playful otters spin on the beach. That’s when I’ll stop my writing, but I wouldn’t call it a disturbance!
The inhabitants of nearby nature often become the subject of my books. E.g., “You Can Fly, Little Bird” was inspired by the life in the nest on the windowsill of our kitchen. The last chick became particularly dear to me as I followed its attempts to overcome the fear. It had to gather courage for many days longer than the siblings. Eventually, it jumped off the edge of the nest, and its fresh little wings carried it away.
The mother bird waited for its offspring in the nearby tree and chirped for encouragement. I don’t need any other pets when these birds are part of my family, and I get to listen to their singing around the house and in nature!
What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
I want to encourage every writer to be honest. When you start writing something, you need to have something meaningful to say. Life experience is helpful, too. Writers need thoughts and feelings that are truly important to themselves. I don’t think anyone should just try to please others and guess what is fashionable to write.
Unfortunately, I often come across books driven by the wrong motives. The desire to do something fashionable, attract attention by any means and create sales success is evident in implementing some books. I wouldn’t call them art.
I understand that the book industry is also a business, and it’s guided by the framework set by the business targets. However, this is a matter for the publisher, but the authors writing their first books should not focus too much on thinking about it.
The first book is just the beginning of the writing path. My prediction is that the desire to write will not disappear – whatever the reception of one’s first book will be. We’re dealing with Pandora’s box!
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
Getting the book completed is a multi-step process for me. As a small publisher, I’m working directly with the illustrators, translators, and editors of my books, too. There are many stages in these projects with challenges and accomplishments, and they are worth a celebration, too!
The stories have usually lived inside my head and heart long before I have written them for the book. The characters are very independent and even stubborn, and I must accept their pressure on me. After taking them safely to the world – on their terms – I feel very relieved and take a break.
I have no particular way to celebrate. Maybe I will enjoy a cup of coffee with a good cake or bun and go to the sauna. I must leave the story alone for a while and let it breathe. After taking some distance, I start handling it again, moving forward in the publishing process.
Working with illustrators is a great pleasure for me, and I’m happy to share the stages with my friends on social media, too. The best moments of celebration with books are related to reaching and touching my readers. The moments when I can see the effects of my stories in their eyes are important to me.
I believe that every author will recognize the special moment of celebration associated with the arrival of a new book in print. The package arriving from the printing house contains magic! Words and thoughts have come to life.
The miracle of children’s picture books is also related to their visual artwork. A new small world has emerged through the hands and minds of two artists – the author and the illustrator. That’s a celebration to me!
Author Links: Facebook | Website
You Can Fly, Little Bird
In You Can Fly, Little Bird author Tuula Pere envisions three newborn bird hatchlings facing the new world where they are born. The first two hatchlings are eager and strong, ready to take on the world. The third baby bird to be born is incredibly timid and cautious. She longs to have the courage to leave the nest and explore her large home forest. Serene is the youngest of three bird siblings. Unlike her older sister and brother, who eagerly take on flying to explore areas further away from their woods, wary Serene can hardly believe she will ever be able to do such a thing and is content with the forest around her.
Tuula Pere is a master of disguising beautiful and profound messages in simple stories that are relatable to children of all ages; her work in You Can Fly, Little Bird is no different. She tells her story of a bird family in a way that children can see themselves as one of the baby birds, either the bold, adventurous type or the more reserved and pondering type. Learning that both kinds of people have value and their own unique skills is a great message for children.
The illustrations by Alexandra Burda are done in fine line artwork and with wholesome characteristics that give the scenery and characters a homely feel. The colors and style fit perfectly with the story’s message, with dramatic images for the two brave siblings and more clam for Serene. The protagonist is a character to whom all readers could relate. Everyone is bound to experience a situation or area of life where they underperform or struggle harder than their peers.
You Can Fly, Little Bird is a whimsical tale about self-confidence and growing at your own pace. The artwork and the story combine to make an enjoyable read for children and adults. Teachers and caregivers will find this captivating children’s book a great addition to their libraries.
Pages: 18 | ASIN : B07HXHWF7B
The Wild Waves
The Wild Waves is a short picture book whose protagonist is Otto, a young boy who goes on a boating trip with his family during rough weather. Otto is taken aback by the loud motor roaring, the boat’s erratic movements, and the sheer size of the sea waves that crash against it. On the other hand, his family is having a terrific time encouraging the father to go faster and faster. Finally, they arrive at the island, and the rest of the family enjoys the peace and quiet of an island picnic after the exciting journey.
Completely scared off by the experience, Otto decides not to sail again. His Grandfather visits the following days, and they talk about the trip. Together they develop a system for Otto to tell him when he wants to go faster or slower on a carousel. Grandpa then suggests that Otto go out on his boat and use the system they just created to make sure Otto is comfortable.
Author Tuula Pere and illustrator Catty Flores’ encouraging book is about overcoming fears and respecting other people’s boundaries. The protagonist, Otto, had a poor experience sailing because his father was steering the boat at high speeds as they sailed through a storm. His fears, disregarded by his parents and sister, continued to grow and prompted him to avoid any future trips sailing. His Grandfather, however, listens to his fears and comes up with a plan to help him come to terms with his fear in a way that he feels safe and heard.
His compromise with his Grandfather, who volunteers to take him on a more tranquil trip, is a prime example of how consent from all involved parties is fundamental in any shared experience. This is a moral that any child should take with them.
The Wild Waves is a heartwarming picture book about overcoming fears, respecting boundaries, and problem-solving. Teachers and caregivers can use this to help younger children learn that it is ok to be afraid and give them steps to learn how to overcome fears.
Pages: 32 | ISBN : 9523573047
The Healer Cat
The Healer Cat is a vintage children’s book by Tuula Pere. The book introduces Celesse, a friendly domestic cat known on her farm and neighborhood for her healing abilities. She is frequently summoned by her peers to aid themselves or family members with all sorts of ailments, which she can quickly cure with her presence and soothing purring. One snowy evening, a hare who lives deep in the forest enters her warm kitchen and begs her to leave with her to meet her baby boy, who is running a very high fever. Celesse must decide if she wants to remain in the safety of her home, next to a fireplace, or face the snowstorm. In the end, the duo leaves for the burrow. Unbeknownst to them, though, they will have to face danger to find it.
This heartwarming book is quite wholesome and perfect for a winter read. Children are sure to enjoy the journey of Celesse and her hare companion through a mysterious forest. Moreover, the antique-style illustrations done by artist Klaudia Bezak are a unique and beautiful sight. They will undoubtedly remind parents of their childhood books as they read through this exciting adventure to the hare’s home. Although its climax might be somewhat confusing for young readers, it is an exercise in interpretation, leaving readers to find a moral to the story after a seemingly open end. This fantastic story successfully spreads the message of encouragement for doing good deeds.
The Healer Cat is a children’s book that teaches about kindness, helping one another, and doing good deeds without expecting anything in return. There is also the message about standing up to your fears and facing the things that scare you the most. This thought-provoking story will engage children and give them many things to talk about and learn from.
Pages: 19 | ASIN : B07HYWWKSQ
The Caring Crab
The Caring Crab is a lighthearted children’s book that follows a river crab named Collin, who is a talented builder and someone who always puts his friends’ needs before his own. His latest mission is to construct a pavilion for his house by the end of the week. However, with each passing day, a new surprise activity that requires his undivided attention pops up, he realizes his goal will be challenging to achieve. Collin must learn an important lesson about taking care of himself and putting himself first sometimes so that he can be a better friend to others.
Author Tuula Pere and illustrator Roksolana Panchyshyn’s have created an exceptional picture book. The Caring Crab is an excellent example of children’s literature with good pacing, intuitive language, and beautiful illustrations that will keep the young one’s attention. Each page is filled with bright and engaging illustrations that enhance the story being told.
This insightful children’s book highlights two important lessons. Written in language and using situations that younger children can comprehend, the story lets them know it is okay to say no to others when you need to dedicate time to yourself, and that healthy friendships are two-way streets that allow both sides to rely on one another. These morals consistently add to the book’s value, which communicates a message for readers to cultivate healthy boundaries and interpersonal relations from a young age.
The Caring Crab is an engaging picture book that promotes building good friendships and being a good neighbor and friend. It also talks about self-care and teaching children it is ok to take a break when needed. Teaching these lessons from a young age will help them develop healthy habits as they grow older and having it presented in this entertaining story makes it easy to start the discussion of these topics.
Pages: 27 | ASIN : B07HXZK186
My Sunflowers
My Sunflowers is a book written by Tuula Pere and illustrated by Catty Flores. Targeted towards children, the story circles around headstrong Millie, a girl who enjoys gardening but is not fond of her parents’ preference towards growing vegetables for their own sustenance instead of cultivating flowers and other plants. She is particularly drawn to sunflowers and, after getting seedlings from a friendly vendor, takes on a secret endeavor to grow the flowers hidden from her parents, who do not believe she should be trusted with gardening activities by herself.
The beautifully written book My Sunflowers is a quick but meaningful read. Millie is an independent girl who does not stop at the hurdles imposed on her, and one whom young female readers will be able to look up to. Her strong personality and refusal to let others tell her what she is capable of will draw in the attention of children that often want to prove they can do things that adults feel they are still too young for. Millie doesn’t let the doubts of others stop her from doing what she knows she can do.
This is an illustrated children’s book about independence, problem-solving, and standing up for what you want in life. Millie’s determined attitude and dedication to her flowers, when her parents had no faith in her abilities, shows great inner strength for believing in herself. To add to the story’s emotional words, Flores’ artwork does not let its readers down; the drawings are remarkable, with cold and warm contrasting tones in a noteworthy palette. Together this is a story that will bring forth emotions of pride and perseverance.
My Sunflowers is an engaging picture book for children to learn about inner strength, problem-solving, and how hard work pays off. Teachers and families will find the message in this book positive and encouraging and children will enjoy the motivational story and artwork.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B09K6KYPSW
Between the Walls
Author Tuula Pere and illustrator Andrea Alemanno’s Between the Walls is a tale of two formerly friendly fishing towns estranged by a quarrel for the harbor space. As tensions rise due to boat mishaps, disputes for fishing grounds, and political divergence, the mayors decide to build two walls that leave only the harbor in a no-man’s-land strip between them. The people of the towns were devastated but had to do what the mayors wanted. The children, however, found ways to keep in touch with friends on the other side with kites, and paper plains to pass messages. When one day a kindhearted and resourceful stranger appeared on their shores. When both town mayors refused the stranger a home behind their walls, the stranger, Leo, decided to move into No-mans-land. From his small plot of land, he slowly brought change upon the towns.
The first thing that caught my attention in this captivating children’s book was the art. The illustrations done by Andrea Alemanno are beautifully drawn by hand and the color palettes change with the mood of the story, making for great ambiance and visual transitions.
The plot is built around a classic story setting of two cities divided. The town mayors that made the choices to divide the land hold onto their beliefs, while the towns’ children look for a way to make peace and change their world. The main character, Leo, a nonchalant boy who appears when the towns need guidance and sets sail on his small boat for places unknown when the dispute is solved, is a borderline mystic figure who leaves the reader wondering about where he could possibly have come from and wishing there was more to know about him.
Between the Walls is a thought-provoking picture book that will open up discussion with children about problem-solving and the building of communities. With so many hostilities in the world over resources and land borders, this children’s story is a great way for teachers and adults to explain world events in an age-appropriate manner.
Pages: 20 | ASIN: B07HXF1LQB
My Challenge and Joy as an Author
Do You See Me in Nature follows a child out for a day in the woods with his family. What was the inspiration for your story?
There are a lot of summer nature elements familiar to me in this book. I was a nature-loving and independent child from an early age and gained a lot of freedom of movement because we lived in a peaceful rural setting.
My parents often took my siblings and me to swim in the lake and into the woods to pick berries. In winter we went skiing in the nearby forests and hills. As the grown-ups had plenty to do with the two youngest children, I was free to explore nature alone, too, and gained a lot of confidence.
I took my little red bike from spring to autumn and rode to the lake or higher hills a few miles away. In wintertime, I went skiing to enjoy the beauty of snowy nature. I could spend hours there and come back home just for a meal.
Being in nature has been natural since I was a child, but I can also relate to various challenges from the perspective of small and sensitive children. I encouraged my younger siblings and later guided my own three children.
Adults need to be patient and empathetic concerning children’s needs and worries. The child may have many concerns. How do I survive the whole trip? What if I get lost? And there is much to complain about. A child can be thirsty, hungry, shoes are rubbing, snakes are scary, and the mosquitoes can sting. By listening and helping patiently, the adults can turn the nature experience into something unique and pleasant for everybody.
For Finnish children, nature is usually close, and families spend a lot of time there together. Kindergartens, schools, and various children’s clubs also have a lot of outdoor activities at any time of the year.
Maybe I should write another book about winter nature and activities there! It would be quite different and perhaps more exotic for some families. I have a lot to tell about those adventures as well!
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
I don’t know how to answer your question about difficulties because writing is a very positive experience for me. As I write, I get into my world of imagination, where anything is possible and in my own hands. I just write and let my creative enthusiasm take over.
My head is constantly full of new topics and book ideas. The biggest problem is perhaps finding enough time for them because one cannot do everything at once. When the story is ready, I must take on the role of a publisher. It’s time to take my stories to the world.
Processes of illustration, translation, marketing, and various collaborative projects are time-consuming. I enjoy them, too, but as a small independent publisher, I must do a lot more than just tell the story! Fortunately, I have previous work experience and skills that help me in these other tasks!
I enjoy all kinds of writing! This applies to non-fiction books as well. I love digging into background material and collecting photos, and putting it all together like a puzzle with a beautiful picture. That’s a lot of fun, too! The hardest step in writing non-fiction is to stop researching and trust that there is already enough material!
Writing children’s books is, of course, closest to my heart. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have written so many of them about such different subjects – even the most delicate ones. Sometimes, people ask me how I have managed to tell my most sensitive and demanding stories for children. The honest answer is that I may cry and write, but my tears are not visible to children. I want to give them warmth and hope even concerning the most difficult topics.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
I’m used to writing in various places and circumstances. My time in the business world was sometimes hectic for the writer; one must rapidly produce demanding texts and focus on exact details, e.g., legal matters and figures.
Now, I enjoy the freedom of writing children’s literature to the beat of my heart and making imaginative trips without time constraints. My children are already adults, so I have more time and peace for writing these days.
I don’t require anything special from the writing environment if I have true inspiration! I have written texts for children’s books while waiting for my children from hobbies in a car or some cafe. I can write at a summer cottage in the middle of nature – sitting on a stone or lying in a hammock – or sitting in a restaurant waiting for the food to come or preparing for the airplane to take off.
The only thing that bothers me is the wrong kind of music. Music has a significant impact on me, and it penetrates my concentration. I must take this into account when choosing a place to write. At home, in my study, I often play classical music or folk music from around the globe in the background. By the way, traditional Sufi music is excellent research music! I noticed that when I concentrated on my law dissertation years ago.
With over fifty children’s books published, what book was your favorite to write?
Every book I have written has its unique place in my heart. Some stories have made me smile, laugh, or cry as I wrote them. Readers might be surprised if they knew the true stories behind my books. Every book is individual in story, purpose, and depth, intended for different age groups and situations.
My favorites are perhaps books on the most challenging topics – war and peace, poverty and survival. As I wrote Lullaby of the Valley, Between the Walls, and Raspberry Red, I knew that the subject matter of war and peace is a delicate one and must be handled with care.
Writing those three books has been very important to me, even though it was mentally demanding at the same time. As a writer, I do not aim for an easy job but a meaningful one instead!
I’m happiest as an author when I feel I have managed to write about something that helps other people cope amid adversity. These situations can range from the minor sorrows or fears of children to the demanding problems that entire human communities face. My favorite book to write is any book where I can defend the weakest ones – being young, old, poor, sick, sad, depressed, or alone.
The weakest people need the most capable defenders, and the most challenging topics must be written with the most sensitive hand. This is my challenge and joy as an author. I just try to be genuine and honest and do my best. Then I feel happy as a storyteller, too!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
You can become tired on a long trail, feel nervous about swimming, or grow cold on a boat outing. And the forest is full of strange sounds! But with the help of a grown-up, you can get to know a new place, and look forward to the next nature adventure!
LITERARY TITAN 