During most of Finland’s history, it had been ruled by different countries. The first instance of this was the Treaty of Nöteborg in 1323. This treaty was between Sweden and the Novgorod Republic and it established their borders. After the treaty, the majority of Finland became a part of Sweden. From 1323 through 1808, the majority of Finland was a part of Sweden. After 1808, Russia captured the region of Finland from Sweden. Russia captured the region of Finland from 1808 through 1809. Then, in 1906, Finland had its own parliament. Although, Russia recognized Finland’s independence on December 31, 1917. In 1906, Finland had universal and equal right to vote which also applied to women. Then, in August of 1939, Finland went under Soviet Union influence. Throughout Finland's history, Finland was not independent very often. Although, when Finland became independent, a man named Johan Vilhelm Snellman advocated and supported the development of Finnish culture and the development of the country. Snellman wanted Finland to have full independence and its own culture. Snellman was born on May 12, 1806 in Sweden. He was born after the establishment of semi-independent Finland. Snellman was a philosopher, statesman, and a journalist. He taught at a university in Helsinki. Snellman wanted Finland to be advanced in education and the arts. Snellman had told the young Finnish people that, “Your success in football does not make me happy! Young Finnish like you not to beat Germans, English, Frenchs, Hungarians by shooting to the ball; Instead of it, with your mind, your heart, science, craft, trade, carpentry I would love to defeat them to take your homeland forward with your willing.” This book explains Snellman’s ideas on developing a newly growing country. It focuses on increasing the quality of education and the school environment. This book became very popular among developing countries. It was first written in Serbia in 1923 under the title “Zidari of Belly” which translates to “Creators of Life”. It was next printed in Bulgarian in 1925 under the title “In the Country of White Lilies”. In Bulgarian, the book has gone through 14 editions. The book was also printed in Turkish in 1928. In Turkish, the book has gone through 16 editions. The first president of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, knew that this book held valuable information so he made all public employees read the book, he put it into the school curriculum, and made Turkish officers study the book. This book was then published in Russia in 2004 under the title “Finland, the Country of White Lilies”. Today marks the day that this book was translated to English by Atatürk Research Center CT. (July 2020)

Nearly a century ago, in the Forbidden City, China’s last emperor reigned from his dragon throne. Although he was only a boy, the imperial decrees issued in his name echoed in every corner of the country. Every man had to shave his head and wear a single pigtail to symbolize his submission to the emperor, and every woman was second in importance to the men in her family. Women were obedient to their fathers and brothers and later to the husbands in their arranged marriages. Certainly no woman was encouraged to attend school or to show any independence. Into this world, in a village in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, White Lily was born. She had a happy childhood, running and playing, until, at the age of four, she was forced to undergo the painful procedure of foot binding required for all females of her social class. But White Lily has her heart set on more than a traditional role in society, and she enlists the support of her beloved elder brother. Together they devise a plan to defy tradition and convince their father that White Lily’s feet and mind must be allowed to grow.

Fate . . . Faith . . . FamilySkylar Mitchell didn't believe in any of them.She never wanted a real boyfriend. She never wanted her own kid. When she watched her sister get destroyed by the man she loved, she vowed it wouldn't happen to her.Don't fall in love.Don't become attached.Don't let yourself feel.Easy, right?Griffin and Erin Pearce had the perfect life. With the perfect house. And the perfect jobs. What they didn't have was the perfect baby.Skylar never counted on meeting Erin. She never imagined finding this wonderful best friend who would change the way she looked at the world. And she certainly never dreamed of falling in love with her best friend's husband.Especially while being their surrogate.She also never counted on fate ripping everything away from her.A story about unconditional love, heartbreaking loss, and undying friendship.

Piper MitchellApril 25th was the day I was born.It was also the day I died.Blood was still rushing through my veins. Oxygen was still saturating my cells. But for all intents and purposes, I ceased to be among the living.Going back to New York for my sister's wedding was a mistake, but I made her a promise.It would be a quick trip. Show up, say the right words, then I'd be gone. This time for good.I didn't think anyone could understand what was taken from me that fateful day.Not until I met him.Mason LawrenceI threw a football in front of eighty thousand people.Mingling with the rich and famous was just another part of my job.Nothing made me nervous.Not until she walked off that plane and into my life.She was broken. Shattered by some event she kept hidden under lock and key. The clues on her body failed to reveal her secrets-unlike the clues on my body that clearly publicized mine.The clock was ticking, giving me only a few short months to uncover the true meaning of the flower branded into her flesh. Because if she got back on that plane, I knew it would be forever.

Dubbed the Bulb Hunter in a 2006 New York Times feature story, Chris Wiesinger took his passion for bulbs to vacant lots, abandoned houses, cemeteries, and construction sites throughout the South in search of botanical survivors whose descendants had never seen the inside of a big-box chain store. The vintage specimens Wiesinger sought came from hardy, historic stock, adapted to human neglect and hot climates, reappearing faithfully over decades without care or cultivation. Traveling back roads, speaking to strangers, looking for the telltale color of a remnant iris or lily, Wiesinger started digging, then began trying to grow and share the bulbs he collected. From its humble beginnings on an East Texas sweet potato farm, his Southern Bulb Company has now grown into a full-fledged business known throughout the world, propagating and selling the rare, tough, heritage plants Wiesinger still seeks out and champions. Nicknamed “Flower” by his fellow cadets at Texas A&M University, Wiesinger relates his adventures in bulb hunting, telling stories of the bulbs he has discovered and weaving in his own life story as a student, plantsman, and small business owner. He then teams with veteran horticulturist William C. Welch to provide advice on how to grow and appreciate the bulbs that have been rescued and reintroduced. This “primer” gives gardeners information on what bulbs to grow where, when to plant them and when they bloom, and how to incorporate them with other plants in the landscape. Finally, Welch describes how bulbs have enhanced his personal gardens and brought him and Wiesinger together in the common cause of heirloom gardening. Entertaining, informative, and loaded with beautiful photographs, The Bulb Hunter is sure to be a favorite of gardeners and plant lovers everywhere.

Lily White's Party is a book about the most magical, wondrous party that happens every night, and YOU get to attend ...Again and Again! "We can't wait to get copies for our grandchildren! We know they will love it!" -- Kathleen and Michael Hague, Writer and Illustrator "Compliments to Christine SuhrE on providing a very accommodating vehicle for a child to relax and allow their imagination to flow in a non intimidating manner! The artwork and text melds together flawlessly, enhancing the storyline nicely. The feel of the artwork is whimsical, distinctively unique and free flowing. The mood is bright, colorful and very happily upbeat. -- Wolf Bukowski, Producer/Director/ Editor

"Call Sign, White Lily is the ... story of the world's first female fighter pilot, the beautiful Russian born, Lilia Litvyak, 1921-1943...by 16 she had completed her first solo flight; and, by 18 she had trained some 40 male pilots. When Hitler invaded Russia, she became the first female fighter pilot to enter the Motherland's elite all-male 437th IAP. There she flew 168 missions, downed 15 Messersmitts, fell in love with and married her commanding officer, the handsome Captain Alexi Solomatin ... Lilia was shot down for a fourth and final time on August 12, 1943, 17 days shy of her 22nd birthday near the tiny village of Marinovka, in what we now know as the Eastern Ukraine."--Amazon.com description.