Review by: Jennifer Baltes Oksi by Mari Ahokoivu Poorling doesn’t fit in. She’s not a bear cub, like her brothers, and with her tiny, upright body and flame-shaped head, she doesn’t look like anything in the forest. She desperately wants to be a bear: fierce, strong, and loved by her bear mother, Umi. As Poorling’s … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Oksi by Mari Ahokoivu, translated by Silja-Maaria Aronpuro
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Me and the Robbersons
Originally written in Finnish, Me and the Robbersons has been translated into over 20 languages since it was first published in 2010. And little wonder. This middle grade novel is bursting with fabulous characters, humor and adventure, and is thoroughly readable to boot. The star of the show is 10-year-old Maisie, who is heading to … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Me and the Robbersons
Speculative Fiction in Translation: The Rabbit Back Literature Society
The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen translated by Lola M. Rogers Pushkin Press January 20, 2015 352 pages I must admit, I was hoping that the mysterious woman at the heart of this novel turned out to be a dimension-shifting alien robot. And who knows, she might have been. But I’m jumping … Continue reading Speculative Fiction in Translation: The Rabbit Back Literature Society
Kiss of Santa: Crime Short Fiction (Finland)
Leena Lehtolainen, born in Vesanto in 1964, is Finland's most successful female crime author, with her titles consistently topping the country’s best-seller lists. More than two million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, and her works have been translated into twenty-nine languages. In addition to her career as an author, Lehtolainen has worked … Continue reading Kiss of Santa: Crime Short Fiction (Finland)
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
Tove Jansson was a Finnish writer, and will be familiar to readers of children’s fiction as the creator of the Moomins. They appeared in books and cartoons and then newspapers, eventually in 12 countries. They were so successful that Walt Disney wanted to acquire them. He was turned down. Tove Jansson was much more than … Continue reading The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
Children’s Title Pick: Goodnight Mr. Clutterbuck by Mauri Kunnas
From the award-winning Mauri Kunnas, one of Finland’s most celebrated children’s writers and illustrators, a hilarious picture book full of animals, humor, and colorful pictures. Mr. Clutterbuck is blissfully unaware of his reputation as the busiest and loudest sleepwalker in town. Meek and mild-mannered when awake, at night Mr. Clutterbuck seeks thrills and adventures. Often … Continue reading Children’s Title Pick: Goodnight Mr. Clutterbuck by Mauri Kunnas
USBBY Outstanding International Book Pick: Bicycling to the Moon by Timo Parvela
In Bicycling to the Moon, Purdy the cat and Barker the dog live together in a sky-blue house on top of a hill. Barker likes the garden. He wants only to dig, to scratch up the earth and turn it over. But Purdy has big dreams: he wants to fly south with the birds, win … Continue reading USBBY Outstanding International Book Pick: Bicycling to the Moon by Timo Parvela
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 