Blog Archives
Giant Legs (Little Fears)
Grandpa’s birthday is approaching, and a garden party has been arranged for the whole family. However, Elliot, one of the family members, is anxious about being in a large gathering. During the celebration, he retreats to his grandparents’ attic to escape the crowd. But Uncle Stephen comes up with an idea to entice Elliot back to the garden by encouraging him to walk on high wooden stilts, which alters his perspective of the world and the people below.
This is an entertaining and creative story that shows young readers that thinking outside the box can be a fun way to solve problems. I know the story title was Giant Legs, and I had guessed this had something to do with a child’s height, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the unusual but amusing way young Elliot get’s ‘giant legs.’
Children will be able to relate to Elliot’s concerns, as I’m sure many kids don’t like going to grownup parties. I enjoyed how an amiable uncle is the one that helps young Elliot overcome his concern. I feel that uncles rarely appear in children’s books, so this book is certainly unique in that aspect.
Delightful and encouraging, Giant Legs will help kids cope with the stress of feeling out of place by coming up with creative solutions and encouraging them to play, not hide away.
Pages: 34 | ISBN: 9523577875
It Is Possible To Write Happy Endings
The Shoemaker’s Splendid Lamp follows the family of a shoemaker who tries to make enough money to feed his family and save his sick son. What was the inspiration for your story?
I am very interested in history and like to tell children about it. It is essential to understand the past to know how to live today and plan for the future. Understanding of society increases when a more comprehensive perspective is available. Knowing different life situations and circumstances also creates empathy toward other people.
My relatives come from rural areas in Eastern and Northern Finland, where families were once large and poor. My grandfather was a shoemaker who died years before I was born. I have heard much about his family’s poor life from the decades before and after the wartime.
In particular, my father and grandmother told me about the old days, which in their case, admittedly were not always easy and happy. The experiences of my own relatives have given me a perspective on the development of society and improving people’s opportunities.
I can reveal that “The Shoemaker’s Lamp” is a true story regarding actual events and people. The only difference is that the fairy tale’s happy ending did not come true in the lives of the people in question.
Both the father, and Aron were interesting characters. What was your favorite character to write for and why?
I already mentioned my grandfather, who was a shoemaker. He is naturally my inspiration for the father of this fairy tale. He was a hard-working man who did his best to provide food for a large family with seven children. But he also longed for beauty as he was ready to buy a splendid oil lamp for his little house.
It was nice to write about this shoemaker and imagine how he made his lamp dream come true. In real life, my grandfather’s family finally had to sell this lamp to buy something even more necessary.
However, it was even more pleasant for me to write “a happy end” for little Aron, who was struggling with his health. This boy in the book has a sad equivalent, my father’s brother, who died when he was about five years old. I have heard about his short life from my grandmother and father – one lost her son, the other his brother. But in this fairy tale, I could write what I wanted and give little Aron health and a new summer with its fishing trips.
That’s what I find so liberating about writing. It is possible to write happy endings and give hope to readers – maybe even to mend hurt feelings and right the wrongs readers have experienced in their own lives.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Already at the beginning of the story, I remind readers that it takes place in “old times.” This way, they can position themselves correctly to understand the events better. It is essential to realize that the world has been different before and that people’s opportunities and needs have changed.
However, for example, the average standard of living nowadays does not extend to all people, unfortunately. Thinking about social issues and justice is one of the most important things in this story. I don’t want to accuse anyone; I just want to observe what kind of situations people in different circumstances get into – and how they can survive.
I also want to emphasize how important it is that other people’s empathy leads to practical actions to help those in need. In this story, the lamp oil brought by the neighbor is of great importance to the shoemaker’s family. But it’s vital for the sick boy, for whom the lamp’s light gives the courage to fight the illness and believe in the coming of one more summer.
On a practical level, this splendid lamp in the story is necessary for many reasons during the dark winter months. The light from the lamp and the beautiful flowers on its sides are a shared joy in that difficult time. But the essential thing in the story is the love between father and son. In their cooperation, there is a lot of gentleness and consideration for each other. The power of love encourages them to believe in the almost impossible – to heal the boy and go fishing together in the summer heat.
I believe children understand the symbolic value of a lamp and its light. They will surely realize that the most valuable light is in people’s loving hearts.
What is the next book in the History for Children series about?
This theme – History for children – has influenced many of the books I’ve written, even if they don’t form a compact and coherent series together. However, I have some ideas for the next books, where the point of view would be clearly “historical.”
My next book about the times of previous generations will probably be a story about a small and stubborn horse that falls into the hands of strangers during the war. It will be a true story as it describes how my grandfather came on leave during the war and witnessed the harsh and unfair treatment of his own horse by men in the home village. He couldn’t allow it and showed others a gentle example of how a weak animal is ready to try his best, even if the task is hard to fulfill. Gentle care and encouragement are essential, even for the crankiest horse.
What attracts me the most is that writing suitable little stories can show children that their ancestors were once similar to them. Only the physical setting of events was different. I can also teach children facts about specific periods of history, although I prioritize the core of the actual story – the one that unites people throughout the years.
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The shoemaker longs to make more shoes to feed his family, but the cottage gets so dark, he must stop working before the sun goes down. One day the shoemaker and Aron spot something at the market—a beautiful oil lamp! Can the splendid lamp help the shoemaker—and save little Aron?
The Best Summer Guest
Jonty’s parents are going away on a trip without him, so he gets to spend the summer with his Grandma Gladys. He is unsure about spending the summer with his grandma and is worried about missing his parents. So his parents drop him off with his suitcase of clothes and a bag of electronic toys for entertainment. Grandma Gladys promptly puts the electronics away in the closet, saying he won’t need them for the stay, but Jonty is not so sure. What ends up happening is a magical summer vacation full of new and old experiences and making memories that he will never forget.
The Best Summer Guest by Tuula Pere and illustrated by Milena Radeva is a beautifully written and simple story that left me with a feeling of nostalgia and reminiscing about my summer vacations with my grandparents. In an age where children are constantly looking for the next new shiny thing or the latest video craze, Tuula Pere’s story about simple pleasures like tossing pine cones, learning to tie knots, and baking treats will show children there is still magic and wonder in the world. The fun of swimming in a lake and fishing, or enjoying the morning air as you wake up and start the day, is portrayed with wonder and a beauty that is forgotten today.
Beyond the pleasures of enjoying the simplicity in life is the message of family. Spending time and appreciating relatives while they are with you is essential. Jonty goes from being unsure of spending time with his Grandmother to realizing how valuable this time is and how much he loves this chance to be with her at the lake cottage.
The Best Summer Guest is a heartwarming children’s book about family, simple pleasures in life, and appreciating the things we have. The whimsical drawing adds to the warm feelings the message of the book imparts. This is a beautiful book for families to have and pass through the generations, a reminder to cherish our times together.
Pages: 22 | ASIN : B07HYCYSS3
The Shoemaker’s Splendid Lamp
In The Shoemaker’s Splendid Lamp by Tuula Pere and Georgia Stylou, we follow a sickly young boy named Aron whose tenacity and determination keep his spirits high when all hope seems lost. The Shoemaker, Aron’s father, is deeply devastated by the fact that his son may not make it through the freezing winter. Until Aron spots, an oil lamp that he knows will help aid in his recovery so that he and his father can go fishing next summer, but also allow his father to work more hours into the night to sell more shoes to help feed his family.
At the story’s beginning, we become overwhelmingly sympathetic to the woes of the Shoemaker and his family. Knowing the burdens that come with having a large family grounds us as readers to connect to the characters. The message of never losing hope is self-evident whenever Aron speaks. He may have been deathly ill, with significantly low odds of surviving, but he kept positive and would speak of the future, which is a difficult task to accomplish, yet he does it with grace and maturity. It shows how resilient children are and gives power to them for what could only be seen as a vulnerable, sick child. This story also speaks to the community, where the rich man comes to help by giving lamp oil to the family, ultimately allowing Aron’s recovery. Showing how small acts of kindness can truly change lives and proving that sticking together is all for the greater good.
The Shoemaker’s Splendid Lamp is an inspirational children’s book that shows how positive thoughts and kindness can impact the world around you. I would highly recommend this story to young readers as it is skillfully descriptive in writing and keeps readers enraptured throughout the story.
Pages: | ASIN : B07HYX3385
Stella and the Magic Stone
Stella and the Magic Stone, written by Tuula Pere, is an enchanting story of young Stella, her beloved Grandfather, and a miraculous Magic Stone. During the summer, one of the activities Stella and her Grandfather do together is searching through the quarry to find interesting rocks. But then, her Grandfather is sent to the hospital after falling off his bike and injuring his head, leaving him unconscious for many days. Missing him so badly, Stella comes up with a plan to find a ‘magic stone’ that will wake her grandpa up. Grandpa said they exist; could she find one in time?
This is such a sweet story of love, persistence, and resilience. Stella is such an endearingly lovely character that the reader cannot help but fall in love with her. She is curious, loving, and above all else, brave. She takes it upon herself to search for a ‘magic stone’ that she knows can help her grandpa. The author does a fabulous job in creating this magical world where we are enraptured with every page and rooting for Stella to find her ‘magic stone.’
I absolutely adored the relationship Stella had with her Grandfather. I would highly recommend this book; it is the perfect book for any young reader, as it is easy to follow and keeps readers engaged in the story’s outcome. In addition, the whimsical illustrations by Sanna Pelliccioni add to the charm and mystical nature of the story. Young readers and adults will love watching Stella and her relationship with her Grandfather in this charming children’s book.
Pages: 36 | ISBN : 9527107911
Circus Dogs Roscoe and Rolly
Circus Dogs Roscoe and Rolly, written by Tuula Pere and Francesco Orazzini, is a sweet story about two circus companions, one young and agile, the other old and wise, that make the perfect team. Rolly, fresh and eager to learn the tricks of the trade, pick up the acts quickly and becomes beloved by their child audience in no time. Roscoe, the more seasoned actor of the duo, is Rolly’s mentor, but he is growing older and playing a less active role in the show. Leaving Roscoe struggling to find purpose in the show that, as he sees it, is doing just fine without him. When disaster strikes, Roscoe proves he still has one more trick up his sleeve, and only he can save the day.
This is a beautifully written story of two friends who, although at different stages of their lives, show compassion, understanding, and strength for one another. The authors do a remarkable job of highlighting the importance of realizing your strengths and never giving up in life. Along with the charming illustrations, this is the perfect story for young readers because it is easy to follow, and the message is evident throughout. It is incredibly vital to instill perseverance and self-confidence no matter the circumstance, and these delightfully lovable characters succeed in allowing this message to shine through.
Circus Dogs Roscoe and Rolly, written by Tuula Pere and illustrated by Francesco Orazzini, is a heartwarming picturebook about appreciating everyone is different and has different skills and abilities. This wonderful children’s story shows kids that everyone has value in life and can make a difference positively.
Pages: 20 | ASIN : B07HYYWBL2
Little Fears
The Scary Snakes follows a young girl who is afraid of snakes and it is preventing her from enjoying time with her family in nature, she needs to find a way to overcome her fears so she can enjoy the outdoors again. What was the inspiration for your story?
I could call myself a fear freak. I am very interested in people’s fears, especially how to get rid of them or at least control them. To approach children gently, I have collected my experiences into stories – hopefully for joy and help in parenting, too.
As the eldest sibling in my childhood family and later as a mother of three children, I have faced many scary situations for the little ones. My role has often been to help others. Based on these observations and experience, I have developed methods of operation and little tricks that can be helpful also to others.
The things that are the object of fear are very different. When, as a writer, I started compiling a list of scary things or situations, I quickly got about a dozen topics for various books. Among the first three stories I wrote was also “The Scary Snakes.”
I have always enjoyed being out in the wild. Even as a child, I wandered alone in the fields, forests, and lakes. Nature was full of animals – including snakes and insects – but I was never afraid. All I felt was interest and curiosity. Of course, the little explorer had to know how to watch out for real dangers!
On the edge of my home village lived a taxi driver whose yard was full of poisonous snakes. He used to hang the ones he killed on a tree to scare other snakes away. The thought was quite terrifying for us children!
I have noticed that the fear of snakes is common and sometimes grows disproportionate in both children and adults. A calm and understanding person can help by listening and bringing a sense of security – just like Granny in this fairy tale can!
What was something you feared as a child and how did you overcome that fear?
I have always had a very vivid imagination. As a child, I used to read a lot of adventure stories, also exciting ones. Depending on the age, I felt a little afraid when reading” The Famous Five Series” or the adventures of Tarzan in the jungle. And the fairy tales of” One Thousand and One Nights” weren’t very tame either, with their bandits and monsters.
However, the fears of the imaginary world were quite encouraging because the heroes of the stories always survived in the end. And the exciting topics and anxieties created by my imagination, I made disappear when I wanted or came up with a suitable solution.
From my childhood fears, I could name two very different ones: thunder and war.
Thunder sometimes made me move the mattress to my parents’ bedroom floor. Knowing that our home had a lightning rod helped a little – even though I knew the same house had been struck by lightning years ago. Thunder is still scary, but I’ve learned to tolerate it as an adult. Various operating instructions give a sense of control and increase safety. Sometimes, when I feel I’m in a safe place, I can enjoy this incredible spectacle of nature!
WAR. I write it in capital letters as the importance of this sad subject has increased again.
As a child, I lived in a district inhabited by many migrants from Karelia because of the war between Finland and our eastern neighbor, then named the Soviet Union. I listened to the challenging experiences of these people. Even then, I felt deep in my heart the despair of those who had left their homes and tried to settle in new conditions with strangers. My grandfather and several other men in the family had been soldiers. Some of them returned home alive, some dead. Adults’ stories about wartime seemed to be frighteningly close at the time. My fear grew as I watched the Cold War news and their grim maps on television.
All these heavy memories about wartime are passed down from generation to generation. The fear of war has been present in my life all along. I haven’t come up with anything else to deal with it other than trying to build PEACE across all kinds of borders with the children’s books I keep on writing.
My stories “Lullaby of the Valley” and “Raspberry Red” talk about the consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives. “Between the Walls” is a book about diplomacy on the no-mans-land, and soon to be published, “Mother’s Bread Dough is a refugee story of a mother and son.
War is history for some of us; for others, it is the reality today. I hope my books will encourage and comfort people in all these situations.
How does it feel when you have completed writing a book and are ready to send to your publisher?
Since I work in our family company, I’m involved in book publishing projects from beginning to end. In some stages, my role is more extensive; in others, I just follow the progress from a distance.
When the manuscript is ready, it often feels like I have been away, traveling in another reality. From there, I have to return to everyday life and take a different perspective on the text. Since I also choose illustrators for my books, the work continues to be compact and busy but completely different. Finding an artist suitable for bringing the story to life is fascinating. Personality is also essential for smooth cooperation. It is a significant advantage for the process if all involved have genuine enthusiasm and vision for the result. I try to build trust with my illustrators, who are professionals in their field. They enjoy being free enough in their work – and I have my expertise to complement the process.
As much as I try to be patient, waiting for a finished book sometimes feels hard. Especially those stories that are exceptionally important and topical burn my mind. Right now, I’m looking forward to completing my book “Mother’s Bread Dough.” It is in the layout process, and the interplay between the illustrations by Stefan Turk and the story works well. This gentle and warm wartime story is so much needed today!
Do you have more “Little Fears” books planned?
While presenting my existing eight “Little Fears” books at fairs or otherwise talking about them with people, I’ve noticed remarkable things happen.
People often return in their minds to childhood and are touched by the topics of the books. For many, even painful things come to mind, and they may say: “I wish I had this book then.”
Some parents confess that they are struggling with the same issues in their own families and ask for my advice to help their situation. I always emphasize that everyone is an expert in their own family, but I can, of course, try to give some kind of peer support from my own experiences. These books are made to offer gentle guidance.
I still have many more subjects for the “Little Fears Series” in mind. I’ve picked some from my conversations with readers, so the demand exists. Adults have a responsibility to help children deal with things that worry and scare them. Writing stories is one of my means of assisting families with children.
By listening to the concerns of the little ones and dealing with them unhurriedly and gently, we find solutions together. The fear shrinks to a manageable size.
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“The Scary Snakes” is a book about overcoming the fear of snakes.
Shelly is on a picnic in the woods with her family. She imagines there are horrible snakes everywhere. Luckily, Grandma has ways to help. And when Shelly manages to defeat her fear, it calls for a celebration at the amusement park, where a surprising grand prize awaits.
Shelly is afraid of snakes. One day in the woods, she thinks she sees them everywhere and is too afraid to walk. “How will I be able to go on a picnic when I’m too big for Dad to carry me?” Shelly worries.
Grandma always knows what to do. Colorful snakes of yarn and fun games help Shelly defeat her fear. And when Grandma and Shelly visit the amusement park together, Shelly gets a surprising prize!
The Survival Series
Saved from the Flames follows a young girl and her family who have lost everything to a house fire. The little girl relies on the kindness of others to help her through this emotional time. What was the inspiration for your story?
I wrote “Saved from the Flames” and the other two books of my Survival Stories Series soon after the tragedies that Nepalese people faced in the massive 2015 earthquake. This dramatic period of challenges for the nation had immense consequences, causing emotional and material losses. A lot had to be built and repaired – and the work continues.
“Saved from the Flames” is a disaster on a family scale, and it could happen anywhere without a connection to any community scale event. In this story, I have also mixed elements from events I have heard about from acquaintances or experienced myself. For example, the detail about friends collecting a photo album of memories for the suffering family is influenced by a real-life situation. As a teen, I was once close to losing my home to a house fire.
Perhaps the most important general reason behind this story is that adults too often overlook children’s experiences in the middle of significant events. We focus on the practical arrangements of things, their monetary value, and their busy schedules. I am not underestimating the importance of these things, as they are often the basis of survival in the short term. But somehow, we must find the human touch, the ability to look at the situation through the children’s eyes and understand their feelings.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
When something shocking happens, the first attention is naturally paid to survival on the material level. At the level of urgent action, the mental state of the people involved in the event is often left behind. People don’t always recognize and acknowledge the challenges of the mental side at once, but they can only appear with a delay.
“Saved from the Flames” reveals these patterns, too. Initially, the characters turn their attention to the burnt house and the lost goods. People start to question if the fire was an accident or, instead, somebody’s fault in the first place. Hearing parents argue about this topic is challenging for the confused and insecure child. She would need an entirely different kind of support. The child’s position and experiences are the essential themes in this fairy tale. After all, my attempt is always to defend the weakest in every situation.
The importance of material frameworks of life – such as the house and belongings – is naturally needed for the family’s safety. However, the most crucial thing in a crisis is to act together with others and take and give help. In this book, the cooperation of the village community is in an important role. The actions of individual people can also be decisive. The teacher and the doctor in the story are a valuable help to a shaken child. Faith in the future is gradually built with the support of these understanding adults. Of course, the return of a pet dog is also a happy event with great significance, reminding us that there are many kinds of helpers!
What advice would you offer to families going through this kind of situation to help children cope?
Losing a physical home and all the dear belongings connected to it is a challenging experience for children. Their thoughts emphasize slightly different things than those troubling the adult minds. The little ones hardly think about the financial value of the losses. For them, losing their favorite toys can be a crushing thought that overshadows everything else. It helps if adults understand this and under no circumstances belittle the children’s feelings.
The experience of a severe accident, like a fire, shakes people’s sense of security. We can also keep thinking about what could have happened to our loved ones. This matter about losing family members or other dear persons may be so sensitive that we cannot talk about it. Whether this fear is said out loud or left unsaid, we must be able to deal with it with the child.
We need to remember that the child’s injuries are not always visible and on the surface. They may occur deep inside and take a long time to heal. The supporting adults must listen to even unsaid words – and be patient. Restoring a child’s sense of security may take longer than we adults can imagine.
Every family and every individual is different. That’s why the means to solve difficult situations are also individual. In addition to family members, you can also rely on relatives and friends who have the ability and desire to participate in helping. Professional help may also come into question. The most important thing is that the children can find a support network around them and be sure they are never left alone with their problems!
What is the next book in the Survival Stories series that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The Survival Series already has three books: Traveling Companions, Saved from the Flames, and The Owl and the Shepherd Boy. They are all available in several languages in international web bookstores.
There may be sequels to the series. The world is full of individual minor events or even disasters affecting the wider community, where people are trying to cope on various levels. It’s helpful to write about individuals’ difficulties and challenges and ponder how to tackle them. As the interaction between people in such situations is vital, it’s essential to point out possibilities for helping and cooperation.
My particular focus as a mother and author is on children’s experiences. How do they best survive and understand what is going on around them? And that’s not at all easy in this big and busy world. Sometimes I start to doubt my possibility to influence, especially in the most extensive scale events – such as natural disasters, accidents, or wars.
But then I return to this main thing: listening to the child and giving comfort and support in every possible way. I have chosen to write stories for the little ones, especially those in challenging situations. It’s all about the mental shelter and encouragement that children’s literature at its best can provide.
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Sunita’s parents are busy building their new home, and no one has time to listen to Sunita’s worries. But she is lucky enough to have an observant teacher, who comes to her aid. The teacher takes Sunita to meet her doctor friend and she teaches Sunita how to knit a new sleep toy to replace the missing one.
Sunita learns that you can be wounded not only on the outside but also beneath the surface. Fortunately, both can heal.
LITERARY TITAN 