THE following 38 Finnish children’s stories cover almost all of the songs and runes contained in the Kalevala, the epic of the Finnish people in a simpler, story form. These stories will lead English speaking children into an hitherto unexplored region of the fairy world, for the folklore of Finland is the least known in the West. In these 38 stories T. M. Crawford's metrical translation of the Kalevala has been closely followed. As an introduction the first story in the volume is "Father Mikko" who has been chosen as the story-teller. Thereafter you will find stories like “Illmarinen Forges the Sampo”, a classic Finnish tale, an illustration of which has been selected for the cover. Young readers will also find the stories of “The Isle of Refuge”, “Wainamoinen And Youkahainen”, “Aino's Fate”, “Wainamoinen's Search For Aino”, “The Rainbow-Maiden”, “Ilmarinen's Bride Of Gold”and many more. While some of the characters' names will, at first, be unfamiliar, but by the end of the book they will be as familiar as friends. If this volume may in any degree awake some interest in the Finnish people, the storyteller would be amply satisfied, for his objective will have been attained.

'One of the great mythic poems of Europe' The New York Times Sharing its title with the poetic name for Finland - 'the land of heroes' - Kalevala is the soaring epic poem of its people, a work rich in magic and myth which tells the story of a nation through the ages from the dawn of creation. Sung by rural Finns since prehistoric times, and formally compiled by Elias Lönnrot in the nineteenth century, it is a landmark of Finnish culture and played a vital role in galvanizing its national identity in the decades leading to independence. Its themes, however, reach beyond borders and search the heart of human existence. Translated with an Introduction by Eino Friberg

Discover the Finnish quality of sisu and how cultivating it can help you lead a life of greater purpose and happiness. This ancient Finnish word describes an attitude of courage, resilience, grit, tenacity and perseverance. This key psychological competence enables extraordinary action in times of adversity. To have sisu confers a further dimension of doing so with honesty, integrity and humility. By cultivating sisu you can: Face life's challenges with courage and determination Enhance your wellbeing and find your focus Communicate confidently and resolve conflicts effectively Cultivate endurance and achieve your fitness goals Raise kind and resilient children Act with integrity and fight for what you believe in Sisu is a universal trait. It may have been bottled and labelled by the Finns, but it is within reach of everyone. It lies within you, and you are very likely to have used it already.

Discover mighty eagles and mythical heroes in this beautifully illustrated prose retelling of Finland's classic epic

"...A guide that includes 500 diverse contemporary fiction and memoir recommendations for preteens and teens with the goal of inspiring greater empathy for themselves, their peers, and the world around them. As young people are diagnosed with anxiety and depression in increasing numbers, or dealing with other issues that can isolate them from family and friends?such as bullying, learning disabilities, racism, or homophobia?characters in books can help them feel less alone. And just as important, reading books that feature a diverse range of real-life topics helps generate openness, empathy, and compassion in all kids. Better with Books is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, librarians, therapists, and all caregivers who recognize the power of literature to improve young readers? lives. Each chapter explores a particular issue affecting preteens and teens today and includes a list of recommended related books?all published within the last decade. Recommendations are grouped by age: those appropriate for middle-grade readers and those for teens. Reading lists are organized around:Adoption and foster careBody imageImmigrationLearning challengesLGBTQIA+ youthMental healthNature and environmentalismPhysical disabilityPoverty and homelessnessRace and ethnicityReligion and spirituality."Amazon.com.