A delightful large size chjildren's book full of wonderful color. The canine national epic, a thirlling adventure, an heroic tale in the true Kunnas style.

Now, you get the humorous sparks notes version of the tale - though few would argue that it's a bad thing at all. Buy a cheap copy of Koirien Kalevala book by Mauri Kunnas. Sure, the illustrations will keep you busy, and coming back, for a long while, but if we had more descriptions, dialogue, and all of that good stuff, I'd say this would have been an instant classic. While I wouldn't trade away the beautiful illustrations, I would have hoped that the story of Kalevala, its many characters, magics and myths, would have been expanded more, as now the reading of the book won't take that long. And that is perhaps my only (and even then, quite minor) criticism of the book: the story is told in a very few words. The illustrations are the main attraction here: they are numerous, detailed to the point that you'll find fun easter eggs after each reread, and always hilarious. It's a cheerful adaptation of the tale of Kalevala that I think both children and adult alike are going to love. Pretty much the definitive retelling of the Finnish Epic, Kalevala - featuring man's best friend, dog. My main complaint is that the binding of the Otava volume that is currently in print (ISBN 9511124420) is not terribly strong and might not withstand too frequent reading by your child. There's considerable inventiveness in Kunnas' 'canine versions' of some of Akseli Gallen-Kallela's classic paintings. Kunnas' art has a great deal of detail, allowing children to discover something new each time they read. The womanizing of the smith is of course not part of the book. There are some changes to make this more suitable for small children - the attempted rape of Aino by Vainamoinen and her suicide is reversed, with Aino pursuing the unwilling old wizard.

Kunnas depicts most of the Kalevala's plot where its characters seek the Sampo, though it opens with the confrontation between Joukahainen and Vainamoinen. The English translation is by Tim Steffa. THE CANINE KALEVALA is a retelling of the Finnish national epic by children's author Mauri Kunnas featuring, as so often, dogs and cats in the roles.

Koirien Kalevala by Mauri Kunnas