The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland - Hardcover

Shepard, Aaron

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689804857 ISBN 13: 9780689804854

Publisher: Atheneum, 1996

Synopsis

Not so long ago, in the tiny, isolated villages of Finland, where prolonged summer days gave way to endless winter nights, people would pass the time by singing the many adventures of their favorite heroes: the mighty, magical men and women of ancient days.  They sang of old Vainamoinen, greatest of sages and magicians, who helped create the world but never could find a woman to wed him. They sang of his friend and ally Ilmarinen, first among craftsmen, the blacksmith who forged the dome of the heavens.  They sang of Louhi, the ancient lady of Northland, whose crafty wit and magical powers made her a worthy opponent for Vainamoinen himself. And they sang of Aila, Louhi's lovely daughter, who captured the hopes of the two old friends and drew them as rivals to the shores of Northland.  The songs endure, the heroes live, in this poetic retelling of Finland's national epic, the Kalevala. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF AN EXCERPT FROM THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Adventures of Mouse Deer," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater. Carol Schwartz is the award-winning illustrator of over 45 picture books. 

About this title

From the Author:

 HONOR1996 Aesop Accolade (American Folklore Society) "Well written and valuable. . . . Shepard's use of free verse allows him more flexibility than the traditional poetic meter. [The text] retains a sense of majestic rhythm and is most effective when read aloud. Supporting information is detailed. Schwartz's illustrations are vivid and appealing, with jewel-like colors and crisp lines. An unusual and appealing addition." -- Donna L. Scanlon, School Library Journal, Apr. 1996 "Shepard's free verse telling has power and sparkle. . . . Grandly illustrated." -- Glenn Giffin, Denver Post, May 12, 1996 "The language of Shepard's story, the way [the characters'] magic is performed -- all is bigger than life, as the mythic tale should be. It is a book to read aloud -- to an older child, to an appreciative adult. . . . A most handsome book." -- Kate Frankel, Storyline, Winter 1997 "The [free] verse reads aloud particularly well. . . . This is an unusual and appealing book, particularly in light of the scarcity of books for children in this subject area.  -- Notes from the Windowsill, Dec. 15, 1996 ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Age-old Louhi,dame of Northland,sat on the floor before her mill,turning, turning the top stone,feeding grain through the hole,slowly grinding the day's flour.The millstone rumbled,the woman grumbled. Lovely Aila,maiden of Northland,sat at the loom,slinging the shuttle,banging the beater,weaving cloth for woollen garments.The shuttle rang,the maiden sang. Outside, the watchdog barked.Said Louhi to her daughter,"I have grain to grind,bread to bake.Look to the dog,see what bothers it." "Mother,I have cloth to weave,yarn to spin.I can't spare a moment,can't stop for an instant." Muttered Louhi,"Young women are always busy,even when they lounge in bed." She went outside,walked to the farmyard's edge.A red boat sped across the bay,a red sleigh coursed along the shore. Louhi rushed inside."Daughter, good news!If my eyes don't fail me,Vainamoinen comes to court,Ilmarinen comes to wed.No maid ever chose from two such heroes --Vainamoinen, rich and wise,Ilmarinen, skilled and handsome.Which do you prefer?" "Mother, why choose either?Do you wish me gone so soon?Let me stay here,to stroll through the woodand dance in the meadow.A wife's work starts before dawn,ends long after dusk.She has no time to sing to birds,no chance to pluck the berries." Said Louhi,"This is child's talk,not a woman's.You can't stay here forever,can't always be a girl!" "But can't I be a girl a little longer?Must every maiden be a wifebefore her fifteenth year?" "It's true you could wait awhile," said Louhi."But even if you aren't ready,we might gain from the ardor of these heroes.I have a plan.Daughter, quick,dress in your finest.Wear ribbons of red,ornaments of gold and silver." Not long after,Vainamoinen landed,jumped from his boat;Ilmarinen pulled up,leaped from his sleigh.Shoulder to shoulderthey rushed through the gate,strode over the farmyard,threw open the cabin door,pushed their way inside. Then both stopped amazed.Lovely Aila stood there,dressed in her finest,wearing ribbons of red,ornaments of gold and silver.Her cheeks glowed,her eyes danced. Said Louhi,"A greeting to the famous heroes!A welcome to the two great men!And what could you seek in Northland?" "Your daughter in marriage,"said Vainamoinen."The maiden as wife,"said Ilmarinen. Said Louhi,"If only there were two of her,then she could go with both!But as things are,a contest must be held." "What is the contest?"asked Vainamoinen. "You each must make for me a gift,something never seen before.I'll decide whose gift is finest,whose present has greatest value." "And what is the prize?"asked Ilmarinen. "The winner asks the maid to marry,proposes to my fair daughter." Warmly smiled the maiden.Swiftly beat two hearts. 

About the Author:

See above.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0689804857
• ISBN 13: 9780689804854
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Schwartz Carol