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Circus Cannelloni Invades Britain follows the Cannelloni circus family as they take a much-needed vacation. What was the inspiration for your story?
After I had written the first Circus Cannelloni book, I felt that I had created an extraordinary world with its unique characters. I had spent so much time with that bunch of people that they had become my friends.
This circus crowd was so much alive to me that I almost believed it would continue living on in some imaginary world, even if I no longer wrote about them. So, I couldn’t just leave these circus people, as I wanted to be involved in their lives in the future, too. Besides, the circus is fun to travel with, wherever they go.
I simply couldn’t resist the temptation to place the events of the next book in unusual settings for circus people. So, I built an environment where special situations would make them use their abilities in surprising ways. I also created conflicts with traditions and these more free-spirited persons.
Traveling to the United Kingdom with my circus was already on my mind when I wrote the first Cannelloni book. I hinted at that as I described the friendship between the Cannellonis and a famous tennis master in connection with the charity performance. In this new book, I had a good reason to take the circus crowd to meet this tennis legend at his home. From there, my thoughts set off, and I began to maneuver my troops to face some famous events and traditions in Britain.
It was fun to contrast the atmosphere of the boarding school with the principles and behavior of the Cannelloni couple. There were many other inspiring confrontations; the clowns’ way to play tennis in Wimbledon, a circus rider’s wild race in Ascot, the circus director’s speech at a high-level academic seminar about his leadership practices.
In general, I find it inspiring to look at things from different perspectives. When we are traveling with Circus Cannelloni, there is an excellent opportunity for that!
Your characters all have unique names. How do you select the names of your characters?
Inventing names for the characters is a lot of fun. It is an opportunity to reveal something about the persons’ background, personality, or hidden features. It can also suggest something you can expect to happen later. The name may be practical, sophisticated, humorous, either compatible or inconsistent with the person. It can already tell you something about what’s coming. Maybe I’ll give you some examples.
The names of the Cannelloni family reflect their Italian origin – and point at the lovely Italian cuisine that nourishes both body and soul. The strongman’s name, Budo von Bismarck, carries some strength from “Iron Chancellor” from history, although Budo’s strength is much kinder and more cooperative. Snake woman, Cleopatra has a charm like her predecessor in Egypt. The boarding school headmistress Patricia Highhopes represents her school’s high goals for education. Some financial terms have influenced the name of the bank president Benjamin Everbond; and the snobbish professor Anthony Hemp-Nettles – well, he needs a snobbish name!
In Finland, we say that people cannot be judged by names unless they make themselves infamous. In my Circus Cannelloni books, the characters’ names are meant to be friendly little reminders about diversity and inclusion, too.
Will you be writing any more books about Circus Cannelloni?
I think it’s most probable. In any case, the Circus Canneloni lives its own life in the depths of my imagination, as if it were real. At some point, I will undoubtedly have an irresistible desire to jump on the road again with them.
Two exciting adventures are already tempting me as a writer. I can reveal that one might take place in the world of mass media and movies, and the other one in politics. And I can assure you that in both worlds, the circus crowd makes most unexpected things take place.
Besides, I have a big dream related to the Circus Cannelloni books. Right from the beginning, I’ve seen the stories just like movies in my mind. I’m probably crazy and trying to reach the skies, but I think these adventures would fit perfectly into films or animations. They would make awesome and kid-loved cartoons either as a movie or a series.
Like Madame Rosita, too, I want to think that nothing is impossible if you do your best and you can persuade others to join in!
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
This question makes me feel downright nostalgic. I have written a lot and for very different purposes during my life. As a child and young adult, I have written fairy tales, poems, and plays at school and in my free time, too. I also sent my texts to a local magazine. When the other pupils complained about the difficulty of getting started and the dread of a blank paper, I was full of enthusiasm for every new writing task. There were years when I also wrote several pages in my diary every single day.
Then came the time for my law studies and various tasks in the business world, and I had to write a lot of important and impressive texts. There were also years when I wrote my doctor’s thesis in law. All these were, of course, quite different things compared to fairy tales.
I freed myself from previous professional constraints when I dedicated myself to storybooks a dozen years ago. With my imagination, I threw myself back into the same freedom I felt as a child.
At times, I still ponder what I would have accomplished as a children’s writer if I had started earlier in that field. But I’ve realized, however, that all those years of working with other things were necessary. I needed to face all those assignments and take care of various writing tasks to develop as a person and a writer.
Those were the years for preparing to become an author. Without that exercise and accumulated experience, I wouldn’t write in the same way as now. I hope my books reflect something about a lifelong effort as an avid reader, writer, legal scholar, business executive, mother, wife, and grandmother, too.
To my younger self, I would say: Be patient! Take good care of every writing task that comes your way and keep on writing various texts. All this experience is useful when you write stories for the children later!
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The circus crew manages to stir up confusion and fun at a famous horse race, a tennis tournament, and a boarding school run by a tight-lipped headmistress. Mr. Cannelloni gets a chance to lecture at a prestigious university while Madame Cannelloni’s determination wins over even the toughest of opponents.
Many things have changed by the time the circus returns home–with a happily engaged couple and a newborn elephant baby.
It Is About Enjoying Life
Mr. Cannelloni’s Circus follows the members of a declining circus as they enact a plan to save it and prosper. What was the inspiration for your story?
Years ago, I originally made a career in big companies in various senior executive roles – nothing to do with children’s literature but heavy industry instead. My duties also included managing large numbers of people. That experience is connected to my circus books, as strange as that may sound!
It was interesting to follow how companies operate in different industries with different products and clients. Still, my main observation was the significant impact of the “human factor” everywhere and at all levels of business activities. It is the people who make the company successful or not. Companies are often like small towns or villages – depending on the scale of the activities.
The community action – success or failure – always comes to individuals; how things work out, how problems are solved, how capacity and skills can be utilized. It has always been my motto that behind every role, there is a human being with individual motives and abilities, hopes and fears.
In my other capacity as a legal scholar and former corporate lawyer, I recently have written a long article about the effects of these human factors even in large contractual arrangements of big projects. And indeed, they were in my mind when I wrote Mr. Cannelloni’s Circus and, later, the second book in the series Circus Cannelloni Invades Britain.
The personalities, in particular, involve my own life experience, including my childhood in a small village in the countryside where everyone knew each other. Some of my features have been included. I am an eager cook and baker and share the results with my family and friends in the same way as circus chef Andrei. It’s my pleasure to gather people at a long table for good discussions and show my love in that way. This part of my life is also reflected in the circus books, as the friendly Andrei is always ready to feed the circus personnel in any circumstances and listen to the joys and sorrows of other people.
Madame Rosita is an interesting character that will surprise readers. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Madame Rosita was somewhat of a surprise to me, too. Before starting a book, I always have a preliminary idea of my characters and their role in the story. But sometimes, the actors become very real and take over. They want to be something, do something as if they had a will of their own. I like that a lot because then I know my charters have turned into actual individuals! This metamorphosis happened for Mrs. Rosita, the wife of the circus director. The actual Rosita stepped out as a determined leader of the troops in a demanding situation.
It was also important for me to bring out Rosita’s background piece by piece, explaining what she had become to the reader. The woman’s humble background, previous roles in the circus, and her great longing for beauty help to see in her more than just the lazy director’s wife enjoying luxury. Beneath her vain surface, there is also a warm heart and a lot of determination.
I always find it interesting what kind of skills people can have – both visible and hidden. In many cases, abilities are asleep unless there is demand or opportunity to use them. Sometimes the obstacle is the environment that belittles or discourages the individual. Sometimes the persons lack motivation or don’t believe in their abilities.
I enjoyed writing about how Madame Rosita realized the dramatic situation and her role in saving the circus. She also understood that chaos needed a leader like her. She had all the keys required to motivate the others, too.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The circus provides an excellent background for writing about issues related to the relationship between the individual and the community. It’s a net of different nationalities, personalities, and skills. In my book, there are people of very different backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses. Every person – and animal – needs to support each other to perform well together.
Collaboration is essential in human life because none of us will survive alone, even if we would like to think so. There are periods and situations in life when our strength is scarce, and the help of others is needed. The roles of helper and helped person can change in the circus of life, and surprises are inevitable. The more flexible and empathetic we are, the better the cooperation!
And cooperation is not just about fulfilling responsibilities – it is about enjoying life! Combining different people with various skills together can be a lot of fun at its best. Finland has a long tradition of unofficial teamwork among relatives and friends –even in whole villages working together in the country. The community has worked together on the field, built a road or fence, or painted the cottage. After the task is done, there might be time for good food and some celebration together. That’s what the people in my circus do.
To make life human for everybody, the individuals must understand and tolerate each other. We need to be aware of both our differences and our similarities. This creates a working balance when it’s combined with respect for each other.
It’s also good to avoid too hasty conclusions about other people without knowing them. Surprises can be found beneath the surface if you take the time to explore.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I had a lot of fun writing a book about Cannellon’s circus. It felt like I was involved in their incredible adventure and traveled with the circus people – even finally crossed the Alps. What a journey it was!
It was almost weird to reach the point when the characters I created started to decide for themselves what to do and where to go. I knew the true events roughly, but many surprises came up. The adventure also took me with it. Just like I was there to watch events. I turned my gaze to different places and saw what was happening around me, like in real life. Sometimes the characters objected to my plans and unexpectedly wanted to do something independently. I listened to them, and we had an unforgettable journey together!
Some of the twists and turns of the story surprised me, too—likewise some of the people. Madame Rosita, in particular, revealed abilities and determination that I did not know at first. She manifested to me how she wanted the story to develop in some special turns. She grew into an actual power figure in the circus.
It was fun to notice that as the story progressed, new beginnings opened, some kind of side stories and ideas that I later took into account in the events of my next Cannelloni story. The circus characters became so dear and familiar to me that I have already published another book – Circus Cannelloni Invades Britain – about them.
The following books are already developing in my head – I can hardly wait to begin writing again.
The circus music is already echoing in my ears.
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Luckily Mr. Cannelloni’s wife, Rosita—once a daring tightrope walker—has some new bold stunts in mind. With the help of a snake woman, a strongman, daredevil horsemen, and other circus performers, Rosita launches “Operation Hannibal.” Will her risky rescue plan be enough to save Mr. Cannelloni’s Circus?
This Love Will Make Us Better
The Polar Bears’ Journey tells the story of a polar bear mom and her cub being forced to leave their home and find a better place to live. What was the inspiration for your story?
My stories always have many layers. They can be a mixture of experiences of many generations, or they can connect to more general phenomena in society or the environment globally.
“The Polar Bears’ Journey” combines elements of the era of climate change to the destinies of people having to leave their homes as refugees for various reasons. In real life, these elements are sometimes connected, too.
The story about the mother polar bear and her cub makes us feel the worries and pain of many other mothers and fathers, too. So many families are devastated about the uncertain future and the safety of their children globally.
To achieve security, they must first risk the lives of their loved ones. Thinking about this contradiction touches every parent as we understand what families are willing to try for their children. We also understand how little the chance of succeeding is.
I admit that there is one moment in the book where I cried while writing. It’s the point where the mother and child are floating in the sea at night. They have no clear destination in the darkness and hardly any strength left. Still, the mother protects her child and encourages him till the end. The warmth between those two is something that I have always felt for my children.
A parent’s love for the child is something people understand and share wherever they live. I hope that understanding this love will make us better relate to the situation of the families in difficulties as well.
Can you tell readers if it is Dad bear they see at the end of the story reuniting their family?
I have intentionally left the final scene of the story somewhat open. The readers have often asked me what really happened. Did Dad join the family? The destiny of the Granny, who stayed at home, troubles some readers, too.
The open end of the story leaves room for interpretation. I have heard that, e.g., teachers have had lively discussions with their pupils about this very end. I recommend that the adults should discuss the complicated topics in the book with children.
It’s good to listen to the child’s thoughts about the story. A different interpretation may be appropriate for children of various ages. It’s not my intention that anyone would become depressed or too worried about the story or should be left alone to think about the fate of the characters.
I want to believe in happy ends – at least in fairy tales. In my mind, Dad arrives and eventually fetches Granny, too, to the new family home.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
In Finland, we have been living in a time of peace for a long time. Also, the conditions and possibilities for the families have constantly improved in our welfare state. But the events of the rest of the world affect our lives, too.
We Finns also have in mind the experiences of previous generations from the wartime when many families had to make the journey to an uncertain future far from home. Some could return, but it was a change for a lifetime for many.
As a child, I lived in a district inhabited by many migrants from Karelia because of the war. I listened to the challenging experiences of these people. Even then, I was feeling deep in my heart the despair of them who had had to leave their homes and settle in new conditions with strangers. The reception was not always the best either.
These are heavy memories that are passed down from generation to generation. I have written several books, e.g., “Lullaby of the Valley” and “Raspberry Red,” that talk about the consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives. For some of us, they are history – for others, life today. I hope that my books will encourage and bring comfort to these situations as well.
What inspired you to become a children’s book writer?
After working as a lawyer and senior business executive in the heavy industry for some twenty years, I became a mother of a third child. That was a moment of significant change in my life. I decided to focus on two completely different types of writing; I continued my studies to become a Ph. D. in Law, and I started as a children’s author. Some may think this is a strange combination, but it’s a very natural one for me. Now, I can put all my experience and knowledge about life and society together and work for the good of children.
I think I have the soul of a storyteller. I like to make observations and try to understand the life around me. The next step has been to tie all that together into stories that will delight, encourage, and help others as well. I have been telling stories all my life. I have also listened to my grandparents’ stories and read through most of the books of my childhood libraries, shelf by shelf.
At first, I told fairy tales to my little sisters with whom I shared the bedroom. For years, I told them a new fairy tale every night after turning off the lamp. I also wrote small stories, poems, and plays for my school and sometimes sent my texts to a local newspaper.
Later, my children were a keen audience for my stories, but as they grew up, I started telling stories to the world’s children. Now, I can combine all my experience and knowledge about people and society for the good of children and work in my own publishing house to make a difference. I try to influence the world around me and cooperate with a broad international network of professionals in children’s literature.
I love the possibility to work independently and globally – and try to build understanding, acceptance, and respect on every level. That’s my mission as a writer and publisher.
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Driven by the melting ice floes, Mom and Nanu set out on a journey to find a new home. A friendly tern accompanies them as their pathfinder. But the journey is long and tiring, and ice is melting all around them. Will the polar bear family ever be reunited?
Meaningful Stories Live Further
Lullaby of the Valley follows a grandmother that wants to heal her world from the war that is ravaging it and tearing it apart. She uses the only tool she has, her voice. What was the inspiration for your story?
There are dramatic memories involved in writing this book some years ago. I was having breakfast in my own safe kitchen, reading a newspaper about events in the Middle East. The news talked about families with children in the middle of the horror of bombings. The contrast was huge!
I looked at the picture of the little girl in the middle of ruins and read the title “Only she is left.” Tears began to flow from my eyes. I simply had to do something. Writing a children’s book about war and peace was my only means.
The experiences of older people and their memories about wartime have also influenced my story. During significant challenges, individuals have often felt small and insecure.
On the other hand, a surprising force can be found in small people when we don’t even expect it. Even the most modest individuals have grown into people who make a difference. That is encouraging for us and makes us try and dare, even if the situation seems hopeless. I wanted to highlight that, too, in my story.
The lullaby that Kaina sings is beautiful. Is this inspired by a childhood lullaby of your own?
I love music and enjoy singing. I know many beautiful lullabies, and I have been singing them to my three children when they were small. Now the tradition continues as I have grandchildren, too.
But this song came straight from my heart and imagination. I even started hearing the melody in my ears. I could record it at any time in Finnish, but the English text should be adapted to suit the tune as it doesn’t have similar rhymes, just the idea.
It’s rather strange, but I have a feeling that I heard an ethnic melody from a place where I have been only in my fantasy. I love music from all over the world from different cultures. There is always something that touches my heart deeply when I listen to old ethnic melodies. That’s why I wanted to give credit to those who continue signing old songs and passing on the tunes to new generations. With the music, the meaningful stories live further, too!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Above all, this is a book about war and peace. I want to encourage people to believe that building peaceful coexistence in all circumstances is possible. We all have our own ways of working toward that goal. Those in power have the most efficient means to influence, but even ordinary individuals have their ways. Some of us know how to write books, some can teach children compassion and empathy to meet other people, even outside your familiar territory.
Another important theme is respect for the older generations. I have had a special relationship with my grandparents, and I have spent so many hours together with them throughout the decades. They don’t live anymore, but their stories and memories live in me and my books.
In Lullaby of the Valley, the journey of brave grandmothers in the darkness of the night encourages us all to step up and make a difference. It shows how much mothers and grandmothers are willing to do for children, even when they have grown adults.
That same love and responsibility apply to men having children as well, but they often have different ways and means of showing it. The gentle way of influencing is characteristic of me. It is often undervalued in society, but I believe in the power of the diplomacy of heart. With it, we can always do more than we could even imagine.
Instead of differences and contradictions, I always want to emphasize what we people have in common. And that’s plenty! That is also one of the main themes of the story. I always want to talk about similarities under the surface and the importance of cooperation.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
After reading this story and listening to the lullaby of the valley in their mind, I really hope that my readers will feel warmth in their hearts.
Just as the grandmothers of the story relied on the power of their own lullaby and love, I hope we all can trust that there is enough love for us to understand and respect the people beyond our own countries, towns, and valleys. It’s crucial to understand the world is full of children and families in very different circumstances, but they still have a lot in common and are sharing the same globe.
By feeling and showing love without narrow boundaries, we can make life warmer and safer for all of us – both adults and children. Respecting others despite differences in nationality, gender, culture, religion, or any other respect, is needed for peaceful coexistence.
War is one of the most challenging subjects for a children’s book, but I think we need to have the courage to talk about it even with the little ones. They will face these complex issues anyway, so it’s better to do it with some gentle guidance that helps them.
Lullaby of the Valley has been an important book for many people, and it has been accepted well in many countries. Even people working with children’s education find it useful as they must face these issues with the smallest ones, too. They need tools to help children to grow into responsible and balanced people.
I often say that we must dare to deal with even the most difficult things, but that requires an empathetic approach and a soft touch. My book is meant to be both comforting and encouraging. Even children need them both in this complex world that surrounds us. I have intended this book, Lullaby of the Valley, to sing a memorable song of love and hope to their ears.
Now, I’m singing to children of today, and they will pass the message on as they grow – I hope!
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Grandma Kaina, a wise and courageous woman, sets out on a dangerous journey to a spring located between the villages. The only thing that will calm down the outbreak of hate is the gentle weapon of grandmothers.
Diversity and Inclusion, Seeking Acceptance
The Only Blue Crow follows a lone blue crow that wants nothing more than to be included. What was the inspiration for your story?
I love birds! I often observe their lives, how they find a spouse, make a nest, and defend their space and their little ones. What intrigues me most are their songs! In this book, the blue crow misses many of these elements as he is too alone and feels miserable.
I’m a person with two opposite sides. I feel very happy and comfortable to be connected to other people and enjoy their company, but I also need a lot of private space and time. I have noticed that a balance of these spheres is vital to me.
Like many people, the crow in my book has too much loneliness. He has difficulties in finding his place and trusted friends. He also lacks the confidence of being what he is and compares himself to others to be accepted.
I have met many “lonely crows” in real life, and I’d like to encourage them! I would like to send my greetings to a special little boy whose mother I was talking to some years ago. She was worried about how her son would be accepted at school as he had a physical difference compared to the others. Until then, he had been happy with it, but now he was going to another environment with all new people and had already started to think more about it.
This discussion with that mother is still in my heart. With books like The Only Blue Crow, I try to make children and adults think about and express acceptance and empathy every day. It can make a big difference in many lives.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Catty Flores?
Catty Flores is a wonderful artist and illustrator. We have been working together for many years. We communicate well, and we trust in each other’s professional skills. I am the author, and she wakes my stories alive in pictures!
Our first project together – ”The Survival Stories Series”– was published six years ago. She lived in New Zealand at that time, but the distance didn’t prevent us from working closely together. Modern technology and connections are amazing in connecting people!
Since then, we have made many other books – even series – together. It has always been smooth and positive. We have worked with many sensitive subjects like poverty, loneliness, illness. Welcome home, Pearl, from a series talking about the family life of a disabled child, was chosen even for to latest international IBBY collection of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities, and they included the whole series in their exhibition.
We share a similar understanding with Catty about both the every day “tragedies” and the happy highlights. The message is: there is always a way, and there is always somebody to be by our side! There is a positive and fun way of encouraging children in our “Little Fears Series” and “I did it! Series”, which is important to both of us.
It’s always a pleasure for me to see Catty’s ideas for a new story and start developing the book together with her. I also admire her flexibility and ability to find new ways and styles for various stories.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The Only Blue Crow is a book of diversity and inclusion, seeking acceptance and connection to others. It’s also a book of finding the strength in yourself, trusting your own wings, and discovering the world!
I feel strongly connected to the lonely blue crow in his search for happiness. My crow is a symbol of many ways of being different from others. I hope it gives comfort and encouragement for children and adults who suffer from discrimination or are left out for any reason.
In real life, many significant issues in society can cause problems – poverty, culture, religion, gender, to name a few. But even more, minor everyday things can start the difficulties – such as differences in a person’s looks, thoughts, taste, and behavior. It’s essential to understand that these experiences of being included or left out are very individual and personal. They are often secrets, and the others do not notice that something is wrong. Still, they can affect a person’s whole life!
My message is simple. We are individuals, and we should be accepted as individuals! But we also need the others around us. Tolerance and acceptance are crucial to making life happier for everybody.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m always working simultaneously with several books. Stories are developing in my head, and texts are edited, translated, and illustrated by artists all the time. I love all the steps but working with the illustrator has a unique creative touch!
I just received the finished illustrations from Catty Flores for Noise All Over, which is the next book in my “Little Fears Series” this spring. And now, she has just started working with The Giant Legs, probably published before summer, too. These are books about various troubling situations that children meet, sometimes without the others noticing it. My message is that parents, relatives, teachers, and other adults close to children, can do a lot by listening and giving space to children. The little ones have deep feelings under the surface, too. After solving the minor problems and fears, life will be easier all along!
Another of my trusted illustrators, Andrea Alemanno, has just finished illustrating The Stone Garden, which has a unique atmosphere and mysterious visual interpretation. He could surprise me again, although we have worked together many years, too. I love layers of history and the present day, memories and plans, fantasy, and real life. The Stone Garden captures this all in Andrea Alemanno’s pictures.
There is no end to it when I talk about my following books! I am pleased to be inspired repeatedly and find fresh ways to express significant issues – even the most delicate ones – together with other artists. I have had a lot of time to think and write during these special times – suitable for an author! I’m glad to show the newest results soon and hope to meet readers in person again.
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“Luckily in my home valley there are blue flowers, blue butterflies and a blue sky,” he ponders. The blue crow feels even sadder when the new neighbors, black crows, mock him.
On the advice of a wise owl, the bird embarks on a journey across the sea. There are plenty of things to see. Will there also be other blue birds, and perhaps even another blue crow?
Axel and Ava as Cat Sitters
Axel and Ava are so excited to find out their friend Becca just adopted a new cat. They rush over to Becca’s house to meet the new cat. When they arrive, Becca tells them they need to be patient and let the cat come to them when it is ready. She explains how rescue animals are very afraid of people to start till they know they can trust them. Axel and Ava however are impatient. When Becca runs out, they try and force the cat to play and interact with them. Axel ends up getting scratched and the cat runs out the door.
This interesting picture book by Tuula Pere and illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren tells not only the story of Axel and Ave with the new cat but gives children a good lesson on how to act and not act around new animals. It highlights the importance first off of adopting an animal from a shelter, and then how to introduce that animal to your friends. The language used is age-appropriate for early elementary and kindergarten children. The concepts are presented in a manner they can relate to, most kids want to play with new animals and often don’t understand that what they do with their own pets is not always okay with a new one. Explaining the consequences of not listening to pet owners and following directions is done in a kind and gentle way as well. Children will follow the antics of Axel and Ave while learning a valuable lesson.
Axel and Ava as Cat Sitters is an educational picture book on the do’s and don’ts of meeting a new animal. The creative artwork adds to the charm of this insightful story. This would be an excellent book to give to a child when getting ready to add a new animal to the family or for a school library.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B09K4CXW3Z
Do You See Me in Nature
When a family decides to spend the day out in nature hiking, picking berries, boating, swimming, and exploring, the child has many questions. How far is it? What’s that noise? Can I have a snack? Children are inquisitive and complain a lot. The parents give the child many activities to try and experience and, with a typical small child attitude, the child has many complaints and questions about every step of this adventure. The good-natured parents keep going and all enjoy the day. The child finds excitement and joy despite their complaints and concerns.
Parents reading this picture book to their children will instantly relate to the parents in the story. Children will agree with the questions of the child and will probably ask more as they listen to this story. Author Tuula Pere has created a humorous and entertaining story that will captivate adults and children alike. The vibrant artwork by Majigsuren Enkhbat is clever. Readers only see the legs of the parents, adding to the perspective of the story being told by the child. Seeing everything for the level of a child is an interesting design choice that children will appreciate.
Do You See Me In Nature is written in a conversational style from the point of view of a small child. The back and forth between the child and their parents will have adults laughing and sympathizing with the characters. A trip to nature is an adventure for children, especially if they have never done some of the activities described in this charismatic story.
Do You See Me In Nature is the perfect book to have in a classroom of preschoolers or young elementary students like kindergarten. The whimsical artwork and playful narrative will make this a story to read again and again. Parents and teachers will enjoy reading this picture book as much as children.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B09JMHDXPT
Circus Cannelloni Invades Britain
The Cannellonis are among the most unique of families. From the clowns and the strong man to the elephants and the snake woman, Cleopatra, they are as close as close can be. When the opportunity presents itself, the entire Circus Cannelloni decides to pack up and take a vacation in England. Though it is quite the undertaking, Madame Rosita is determined to make the trip happen as she has set her sights on including her grandchildren in the fun. Theirs is a somewhat dismal existence in their boarding school, and Rosita feels it is past time to break them free for a bit.
Circus Cannelloni Invades Britain, by Tuula Pere, is the sweet story of a circus family who takes time out of their daily lives to travel for pleasure together while spreading their own kind of cheer. Virtually everywhere this group lands, they brighten someone’s day. Throughout their journey, they make a positive impact on everyone they encounter.
Pere has masterfully created a cast of characters that will pique readers’ interest. The idea of a circus family is foreign to many readers, but it has the perfect amount of appeal to capture readers from the first pages. Younger readers will find themselves lost in the parallel storylines involving the Cannellonis’s grandchildren, the birth of the new elephant calf, and Kasimir’s race of a lifetime.
Circus Cannelloni Invades Britain is written for upper elementary readers, and they will find this to be a unique and engaging journey. In addition, Pere’s work is short enough to not feel overwhelming which makes it a great choice for those looking to break into chapter books in the realistic fiction genre. Pere’s precious cast of characters is memorable and, in their own special way, relatable. This captivating story would be a great addition for teachers looking for fiction components to include in a unit on Great Britain.
Pages: 146 | ISBN : 9523570765
LITERARY TITAN 