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Illustrated by Virpi Talvitie
Talvitie is well-known graphic artist and illustrator and a favourite collaborator for authors of Finnish children’s books. Her style is technically demanding: she combines rough and finely-drawn lines, adding precisely etched details. The result is insightful and irresistible.
Seesaw
One end of the seesaw is empty. At the other end, the little bear Pi waits in vain for a friend to seesaw with. He scribbles in his notebook: “You can’t seesaw if there’s no one at the other end.” When a huge tree crashes onto the seesaw, Pi is propelled up into outer space. He grabs hold of the crescent moon and is told that the Moon and the Sun always seesaw together. Pi meets all kinds of creatures on his journey and discovers that life, too, is full of ups and downs.
Seesaw was awarded the Finlandia Junior Prize for the best Finnish children’s title of 2006.
The Merry-Go-Round
The merry-go-round isn’t spinning. Time isn’t passing. Little poofies are sitting up straight on the animals’ backs, waiting for the music to start, for the spinning and the fun to begin. Kettle, the littlest poofie of all, the one who never gets to ride on the merry-go-round, sighs: “I wish time would pass more quickly. How I wish I was already big…”
A child’s time is adult hands, and little Kettle has learned that children shouldn’t waste older people’s time.
The Merry-Go-Round is a wonderful way for children and adults to spend some time together. The wisdom of its insights touches readers of all ages, and the book is a beauty to behold. Expressive, colourful illustrations bring the text to life, such as the moment when Luck gives Kettle a birthday present: a sky full of twinkling stars, and all the time in the universe.
Wheel of Fortune
”Luck come see me. I have a surprise for you. – Kettle”. The message in the bottle sent by Kettle is touchingly brief: Kettle is both looking for happiness and hoping to make his friend happy. But will Galoot notice the bottle floating by? Will Gragle be brave enough to carry the bottle in its beak to the shore?
Does a child have the faith to pursue a dream that seems unlikely to come true?
The light of friendship illuminates Parvela’s philosophical story. Once again, the author presents important themes we all must face in life: pursuit of happiness, sorrow, loneliness, and giving and receiving.
Praise for the Works
”As a story-teller, Timo Parvela is a masterfully natural, as a wordsmith playfully clever, prolific and fun. When the story is complemented by Talvitie’s delicate, dreamlike illustrations, the result makes the reader chuckle with delight.”
Keskisuomalainen
