Blog Archives
People Of Every Age Have Value
Circus Dogs Roscoe and Rolly follow two circus dogs, one old and wise the other young and full of energy, who must work together when a crisis happens to save the show. What was the inspiration for your story?
It might sound strange if I admit that my main inspiration for this story comes from the working life of adults. Most recognize workplace situations where people of different ages and in various professional situations struggle with their particular challenges.
In offices, shops, factories, educational institutions, and hospitals – in all kinds of communities – there are people with various capabilities, ambitions, and possibilities. It would be best if these differences were recognized, and the individuals would receive the support and opportunities they need. This would benefit both the people themselves and the entire working community.
Although crossing one’s limits gives self-confidence at best, it may lead to too much strain and pressure. A young person may worry that he is not yet mature for a demanding task, and an older person may fear that he cannot take it anymore. Continuous learning is a far more significant challenge today than in working life years ago.
Roscoe and Rolly highlight the difference between older vs younger generations yet show how they complement each other as well. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
The purpose of my book is to show that a community needs a variety of members. Everyone can find a place that suits them when the right kind of support is available.
I consider it necessary that different people are respected and valued in workplaces. The work environment is not a battle arena but an opportunity for cooperation. The work results are in a completely different category if people do not always have to worry about their position.
The difference between the main characters in this story is mainly related to their ages. One circus dog starts his career, and his fellow is ending it. The friendship between them helps both in demanding situations.
The young circus dog aims to grow to his full extent as a new talent and professional. And the old dog’s depression is heart breaking. It’s not nice to discover that you can no longer do the same things you earlier used to. In that situation, the support of a friend is necessary.
Of course, the story’s suspense element – the child’s disappearance – plays an important role in the book. In a tight situation, the special skills of an old dog are crucial. With this, I also wanted to highlight the theme of caring for children and loving them, which is the old dog Roscoe’s special talent and trait.
In my own life, I have enjoyed the wise support of people more experienced than me. Even a tiny recognition or a friendly word of encouragement can be an essential support. They are like precious pearls that can be gathered into a string during working life. If you have a moment of disbelief, you can take such a pearl in your fingers, spin it a little and feel better…
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Above I described some of the most important themes in my story, Circus Dogs Roscoe and Rolly – such as noticing different talents in the workplace, finding suitable tasks, and providing the necessary support. I want to highlight one more theme.
Not all things can be measured in money. In working life, it has often become an ideal to emphasize the efficiency of everything – especially cost efficiency. This kind of thinking seems to be going through the head of the circus director in my book as well. When only the cash register is rattling in the brain, many other valuable things remain unnoticed.
A small memory of real life could be in place to describe this matter. A town I know had several grocery stores. One of the shops belonged to a merchant family, whose owner-lady sat at the cash register and chatted with everyone while taking care of the business. That store was always crowded.
The shop was always packed with customers, and the checkout line was long. But nobody complained. It was precisely because of those relaxed moments of conversation that everyone wanted to do their shopping in that store. – For your information, the shop was also financially successful as long as the old lady continued working there.
Will there be more adventures for Roscoe and Rolly? If so what can you tell us about it and when will it be available?
This book will probably be the only story about circus dogs Roscoe and Rolly. I think I’ll leave the circus dogs’ next steps up to the reader’s imagination. Although on the other hand, never say never… I might still want to write about Roscoe’s retirement days or Rolly’s brilliant career in the circus limelight – maybe even the dog family’s little puppies. Having said that, I feel now slightly excited, though!
The circus theme is delicious, and I have already used it in two of my children’s novels Mr. Cannelloni’s Circus and Circus Cannelloni Invades Britain. I plan to write more adventures in that series.
The colorful life of the circus offers the writer many opportunities to let her imagination run wild. This rich environment includes a lot of cooperation between people and animals, and possibilities for exciting events, too. With the help of fiction, the whole group can be sent on a fantastic adventure in unusual places.
I know readers will be happy to be a part of these journeys with the circus crew and their animal friends!
Author Links: Facebook | Website
When a crisis interrupts the Christmas performance, it’s up to old Roscoe to save the day! His golden heart and incredibly sensitive nose come in handy. As Roscoe himself says, “I may forget everything else, but I will never forget the smell of a child.”
I Have A Strong Relationship With Nature
A Birch Tree’s Year follows a big birch tree in a family’s yard who shares its feelings on watching the family grow and the changing seasons of the year. What was the inspiration for your story?
I have always had a strong relationship with nature. It is a very personal connection, and I often feel that individual elements of nature speak to me directly. I strongly feel the change of seasons, too. It affects all my being and thinking.
In my childhood, I lived for a meaningful decade in the middle of the beautiful Finnish lake district. Since then, the detailed images of everything I have seen and experienced have been drawn into the depths of my soul.
I can still go to my favorite places in my imagination whenever I want to. I can imagine wandering in the middle of a blooming meadow near my home. From there, I collected over a hundred plants for school biology classes, dried and labeled them carefully in a folder.
Trees are one of my greatest joys in nature. I am happy about their diversity and the shelter they provide for the nesting birds with their branches. This is important for me, as I’m also a fan of birds and birdsong!
Birch is an important tree for us Finns. It also has great symbolic value due to the sensitivity associated with it. This extraordinary tree changes with the seasons from a bare and stripped winter version to a plentiful and strong green summer birch tree. My favorite is the spring birch, which is just beginning to promise the arrival of summer by pushing out tiny light green buds.
What is your favorite season and why?
The substantial changes in the seasons in Finland mean a lot to me. This cycle of nature gives rhythm to the whole human life. Experiences in winter’s white, frozen nature are entirely different from those in the middle of blooming summer. Here is the richness of life!
However, I must admit that I am a spring and summer person. Especially that turning point is wonderful! Schools are ending, and summer vacations are ahead. People are full of dreams and plans. They think about traveling, meeting friends and relatives, digging and planting in gardens, walking in parks, and picking berries in the forest.
Spring and the beginning of summer are always intense experiences for me – year after year. I can’t help but admire the power of nature after winter. My ideal summer is as peaceful as possible. I need time to look at and listen to the blooming nature around me. I try to avoid traveling and doing too much work.
Of course, I can’t stop writing even in the summer. Then I have time to focus on a different kind of writing than in the winter. I always have some novels for adult readers in the making. But I don’t know how many summers it will take to complete them!
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I consider it essential that people and nature live in harmony with each other. It is good that children learn to respect nature in all its forms. Even that single tree next to the house can be very important to everyone living near it.
In my book, A Birch Tree’s Year, this connection between people, animals, and plants is examined by going through the life of the family, their house, and the yard around it in all months of the year. The point of view of the birch tree is emphasized because it offers quite a drama. There is the depression of autumn, the frosts of winter, the candles of Christmas, and finally, a new life at the dawn of spring with the pleasures of summertime to follow.
Although this is a fairy tale and can be taken just like that, I also want to highlight nature’s enormous power and influence on us humans. That union with the rest of nature is also a prerequisite for our well-being as people.
And it wouldn’t be bad at all if the children reading the fairy tale looked at the familiar yard tree with new eyes the next time. They could even experience its presence in a new, more sensitive way.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I got very excited about this question because I have a lot of good news!
The fourth book in the familiar Fox Series is in the illustration. I’ve already seen the storyboarding by illustrator Andrea Alemanno for The Fox’s New Channel. My fox continues his crooked games, this time brazenly using new media and fake news.
My new illustrator, Iva Dukić in Croatia, currently illustrates my book Friends and Rivals. The prince brothers in the book end up in a bitter struggle for the crown and the throne. Fortunately, at the end of the book, the other brother returns to his brother’s side. The sad thing is that it took almost a lifetime in the dungeon.
I would like to highlight the third novelty, which is already well into the illustration. The Ukrainian Sofia Panchyshyn – the sister of the illustrator Roksolana, known from many of my other books – has taken up her delicate brush. Sofia’s gentle touch creates a magical and plentiful illustration for my story, The Bird Prison. In this book, we follow Griselda, who hates colorful birds nesting in her perfect garden with color harmony and begins a merciless battle against them.
We should get all these books in Wicwick’s fall/winter publishing schedule. I look forward to presenting them to readers and international partners. Since I’m so excited about the illustrations for the upcoming books, I’ve already been posting a few tastings of the artists’ works on my social media channels.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
For the birch, the year is full of changes: the warmth of summer; the wistful farewells of autumn; the chill of winter; and the miracle of growth in spring. The birch is often the center of life for the children playing in the yard, but sometimes the birch is left all alone.
In this book, each month depicts a vignette in the life of the birch and its surroundings. The tree and the family are in an ongoing, delicate interaction–from one day, one month, and one year, to another.
A Birch Tree’s Year
A Birch Tree’s Year by Tuula Pere follows a sapling that has grown into a big birch tree. We follow this birch tree and the family the birch is near as the birch experiences the changes in the season. We start in the month of January as there is a severe winter frost, and from there, we move into the year as the snow starts to melt and the birch begins to grow leaves in preparation for spring. Next, we experience the love and laughter the birch tree feels, being able to experience summer with the family that the tree is next to. Finally, we experience the changing of the leaves in preparation for autumn, and this is the moment the birch realizes that it will soon be lonely again as the winter season approaches.
Tuula Pere offers readers a beautiful story that takes readers through the changes in the seasons but also the different months of the year. I found it adorable that the birch tree enjoyed the family it watched over and especially looked forward to the summertime when birds would visit, and the children would play outside near the tree. However, I found November to be a melancholy month because the birch begins to feel lonely as the winter chill rolls in. Pere’s storytelling is beautiful and showcases the relationship between the birch and the family that lives next to it. The author paints a vivid picture of the birch tree’s life, making it impossible not to feel a deep connection to this magnificent tree.
The Birch Tree is a heartwarming story that teaches young readers the importance of nature and the beauty that surrounds us. I recommend this magical story to those who enjoy a book about nature and human interaction.
Pages: 34 | ISBN : 9523570153
The Fox’s Tower
The Fox’s Tower tells the story of one sly fox who thinks he knows better than everyone else. Francis, despite prior trouble, still wants to be the best at something. His latest plan is to build the tallest building in the city. His plan starts out well, following all the rules and listening to the experts, but quickly his desire for fame takes over, and his smart decision-making falls to the side. Instead of making his dreams come true, he returns to his sneaky ways and ends up with a pile of regrets.
Tuula Pere has written an entertaining cautionary story for children. This children’s book helps children understand that having big dreams is ok, but you must still follow the rules and do the right thing to achieve them. It also helps children understand that some dreams are unrealistic and cannot be done physically. For example, Fox’s tower was a big dream but could not be built safely or structurally. It is a hard lesson for children to learn that being told something can not be done is not an attack on them but just a fact of life. Francis learns this the hard way so that children can learn from his mistakes.
Another lesson in this beautiful picture book is that of forgiveness and second chances. The town council was worried about Francis and his past misdeeds, but they were willing to give him another opportunity to do the right thing. Of course, they were all cautious about helping Francis, but in the end, they did give him a chance and show that bad decisions do not mean someone is unworthy.
The Fox’s Tower is a beautifully written children’s book sharing life lessons with children and making them laugh along the way. This is a wonderful book for younger elementary children to learn about cause and effect and about how everyone deserves a second chance.
Pages: 44 | ISBN : 9523578375
Christmas Switcheroo
Christmas is a fun and exciting time of the year, filled with great food, fun crafts, and making memories with family. Sometimes though, this time of year gets stressful, and things don’t always go as planned. In this heartwarming story, one family does their best to make the holidays magical, but somehow things go astray. After carefully picking out gifts for four difficult-to-shop for family members, the package shipping labels get mixed up, and the gifts go to the wrong homes! So now the question is, will this ruin Christmas, or will it be a joyful surprise?
Christmas Switcheroo by children’s author Tuula Pere and illustrated by Outi Rautkallio is a heartwarming story that children and adults will be able to relate to. Adults often try to make the holidays perfect for their children, from crafts to cookies, to outside decorations. Then there is the process of picking out the perfect gift for everyone. Tuula has captured the feelings of an overwhelmed mom with accuracy. The children in the story are able to pick up on the emotions and offer to help out, showing compassion and kindness. While things do not go as planned, everyone is more than happy with the results, and a lesson is learned that just because things don’t go as planned doesn’t mean it is ruined.
Christmas Switcheroo is a beautifully written children’s book that will entertain readers, young and old, with the mishaps that this family finds themself in the middle of. Children will learn about empathy and helping out, while adults will find relatable situations and, perhaps, be reminded that there is joy even when things do not go as planned. This is a wonderful book to read during the holiday season to remind families of what is really important about the season.
Pages: 54 | ISBN : 9523573284
Stella and the Berry Bay
Stella is excited about getting to start school this year. She has spent all summer getting ready and making plans with her friends. Nothing can deter her excitement, that is, until her parents give her some heartbreaking news. Stella’s family is moving to Berry Bay. As a result, she will not get to start school with her preschool friends and will have to move to a new house. She is devastated and worried about what will happen when they move.
Stella and the Berry Bay by Tuula Pere is a beautifully written childrens book about moving and change. This story reminded me of what I felt when I moved right before starting school. A book like this would have been wonderful to help ease my fears about going to a strange new place and having to make new friends. Tuula has captured the complex emotions that children can feel when moving and explained in a way that young children can understand and help them understand what they are feeling is normal.
I loved how Stella’s new teacher tried to help her; she validated her feelings and concerns and helped her when struggling. She did not just give in and give Stella what she wanted; instead, she worked with her to find a solution that would work for everyone. This is a beautiful example of problem-solving and teaching these skills to young readers.
Stella and the Berry Bay is a captivating childrens book that kindergarten and young elementary students can relate to and feel seen with. Parents and teachers can use this story to help children struggling with new situations, particularly moving, and help them realize that while they may be afraid, it is normal and ok to feel that way. It also is a story that offers hope that things will turn out alright, even when it doesn’t feel like it will at first. This is a beautiful book to share with all children.
Pages: 48 | ISBN : 9527107970
Jonty and the Giant Pike
Jonty loves fishing more than any other activity. One winter, he and his dad spent the whole season planning a brand-new fishpond for their backyard. They were going to raise rainbow trout! Once spring arrived, they got to work building their pond. They stocked it with baby fish that Jonty made sure to feed every day. Then, one summer day, he heads to the lake to fish and catches a giant king pike! While taking the fish home to cook it for dinner, it escapes and flops into the fish pond. Despite their best efforts, they could not recatch the pike, which was now stuck in the pond.
Jonty and the Giant Pike is a touching story about a boy’s love for fishing. While he would have loved to have had the king pike for dinner, he respected the fish’s will to live and cunning ability to escape the bucket and hide. It was touching that even when the fish pond failed to provide rainbow trout, and the king pike escaped, Jonty never lost his good attitude and spirit of wonder. He was amazed by the pike’s fortitude and admired its survival skills. Rather than be upset, Jonty decided that the pike was in a better place and where it belonged, in the open water.
Author Tuule Pere and illustrator Milena Radeva have created a heartwarming children’s book about adapting to situations and making the best when things are unplanned. The lessons that children can learn from Jonty and the Giant Pike about having a positive attitude will stay with them long after they have finished reading this remarkable story.
Pages: 38 | ISBN : 952357793X
Noise All Over
Liam wakes up one Sunday morning enjoying the peace and quiet as the rest of the house is still asleep. However, his quiet time is interrupted by the sound of fire trucks racing in his home and neighborhood. Unable to ignore the sounds, he hides under his pillow and covers, trying to make the sound bearable, but it still hurts his ears. That afternoon he has a special outing with his aunt and cousins. When he discovers that the outing is to a loud rock concert, he becomes concerned, and as soon as the music starts, the pain in his head from the sounds is too much, and he has to run away. It takes a quiet conversation with his uncle Harry to find a way to cope with the loud sounds that cause him pain.
Noise All Over by Tuula Pere is part of her Little Fears series for children. This beautifully written picture book tells the story of a child who struggles with loud sounds. This is a common issue for children with sensory processing disorders. The sounds are not just loud but physically painful; those without this issue may have trouble understanding the concept. This children’s book explains how it makes Liam feel and what can be done to help him when sounds get too overwhelming.
Noise All Over is an insightful children’s book that helps kids understand what it is like to have an aversion to loud noises. This is a beautiful story to share with classrooms to help classmates learn empathy and how to help one another. In addition, it is a great starting point for talking about how people process things differently, be it sounds, textures, or even how they think.
Pages: 36 | ISBN : 9523577816
LITERARY TITAN 