Tales from a Finnish Tupa

2009
Authors:

James Cloyd Bowman and Margery Bianco
Illustrations by Laura Bannon
Translated by Aili Kolehmainen

An irresistibly charming and wonderfully illustrated collection of folktales—direct from a Finnish tupa, or cottage

All told in the clear flowing prose characteristic of Margery Bianco and with the unadorned simplicity of folk-telling, which makes the fun, the exaggeration, or the magic of the stories all the more dramatic.

Horn Book Magazine

First published in 1936, this book presents tales of magic like “The Mouse Bride” and “Antti and the Wizard’s Prophecy,” droll stories such as “The Pig-Headed Wife,” and fables from the collections of Eero Salmelainen and Livo Härkönen, sharing Finnish wisdom on topics from the end of the world to how the Rabbit earned his self-respect. Featuring hand-rendered illustrations in full color, Tales from a Finnish Tupa is a folklore gem for all ages.

James Cloyd Bowman (1880–1961) was an English professor. He published a number of folklore books for children, including Pecos Bill: The Greatest Cowboy of All Time and Mike Fink: Snapping Turtle of the O-hi-o-o, Snag of the Massasip.

Margery Bianco (1881–1944) was a renowned children’s book writer of more than twenty-five books, including The Velveteen Rabbit, or, How Toys Become Real.

An outstanding addition to folk literature available for children . . . These stories have the tang of common sense, the wonder that the folktale invests in all the homely, everyday things of life, and a keen sense of fundamental values. A book to captivate boys and girls, one that will interest students of folklore and one that story-tellers will find invaluable.

New York Times

All told in the clear flowing prose characteristic of Margery Bianco and with the unadorned simplicity of folk-telling, which makes the fun, the exaggeration, or the magic of the stories all the more dramatic.

Horn Book Magazine

Short, manageable chapters make this a perfect book to pick up for a quick break in your day or to share with the kids at bedtime. Readers of all ages can enjoy its simple messages of honesty, bravery, beauty and love.

Minneapolis Observer Quarterly

Tales from a Finnish Tupa has a charm all its own.

Children’s Literature Network

Tales from a Finnish Tupa remains an engaging tale collection that will certainly be appreciated by modern audiences in its latest form.

Journal of Folklore Research