Our Little Finnish Cousin

Set among forested lakes and farm fields, the book portrays rural Finnish life across the seasons, from autumn gathering to Christmas and summer pastimes. It follows two children, Juhani and Maja, as they help with farm work, row between shores, attend school, and join village activities. Chapters introduce neighbors and Laplander visitors, reindeer travel, and daily tasks such as berry picking, knitting, and haymaking. Local festivals, Easter and May celebrations, and family meals are described alongside school vacations and household routines. A short prefatory sketch outlines Finland’s geography, cultural groups, and recent political changes that provide context for the scenes.