Books
about Farm Life, Small Town Life, the Midwest, and
Scandinavian-Americans
Featuring
the Heartwarming Humor of "Those Lutheran
Ladies"
The Five Countries
Norway
Denmark (coming
soon) Finland
Iceland (coming soon)
Sweden (coming soon)
Norway
The Prince and the
Nanny
by Odell M.
Bjerkness
Readers
interested in Norway's history and monarchy will find this book
fascinating. It chronicles
the early life of Norway's King Harald as
told through journals kept by Inga Berg who was Prince Harald's nurse
at Skaugum, the royal family’s estate in Asker near Oslo, the first 18
months of Prince Harald's life.
Normally one
could find journals of an unknown person mundane especially when they
cover such a short time period, but Berg's "nephew in America," Odell
Bjerkness, has created an engaging book that pulls together the history
of the monarchy, the many changes occurring in Scandinavia over the
past 100 years, the political climate in Norway from 1900 through WW
II, and how these events impacted the Berg/Bjerkness families in both
America and in Norway.
It
is perhaps the layout of the book that brings this history to life.
Bjerkness includes pages from Berg's journals in their handwritten form
along with English translations and he supplements these texts
with
over 100 photos, newspaper articles, maps and charts listing royal
lineage as well as the daily amounts of milk consumed by Lillebror,
the name fondly bestowed upon the prince by his two older sisters.
Appendices, often ignored by readers, are truly an interesting part of
this new work of nonfiction.
An insight that becomes clear to the reader is how the
monarchy has established a close relationship to the people of Norway,
and how Norwegians have reciprocated this fondness. The
author himself, though Norwegian-American, plays a major role in
American relations with Norway today. Odell M. Bjerkness, now of Edina,
MN and Professor Emeritus of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, was the
executive director of Concordia's Language Villages and May Seminars
Abroad programs for many years. (He was also my "boss" the ten years I
directed Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village).
Bjerkness remains active in Scandinavian-American circles, and in 1982
he received the St. Olav Medal for his work promoting
Norwegian-American relations. The medal was bestowed upon him by King
Olav
V, Lillebror's father and Nanny Aunt Inga's ultimate employer.
NH - 01 Paperback $19.95
The Norwegian Heritage
by Arland Fiske
Volume 1
FS
- NH v.1 Paperback $14.95
Denmark
Finland
The Memory Quilt: A
Tale of Friends & Family Lost
& Found in the Great Cloquet Fire of 1918 by Pamela J.
Erickson
History and fiction are combined in this
exciting account of the
catastrophic Cloquet Fire. Fourteen-year-old Lisa Hanson falls
asleep in
present day Cloquet and is mysteriously transported to Cloquet on the
day of
the fire. Everyone there thinks she is Liisa Maki, her grandma's
oldest
sister who disappeared that day and was never heard of again. By
the end
of her eye-opening journey into the past, Lisa solves the mystery of
her
missing great aunt.
FN
- 02 Paperback $9.95
Finland: The Land of
Lakesby
Franco Figari
Remember
when your practical brother-in-law announced at Thanksgiving that this
year family gift exchanges must be limited to $10.00, and
your mind
went blank??? Well, Good Deals
are hard to come by these days, but here is one!
This beautiful 11
1/2" X 9 1/2", 128-page hardcovered book, packed with
excellent
colored photographs of scenery and daily life in modern Finland,
is a
true treasure, and would make an excellent present for anyone —
including yourself, Finnish or not!
Figari's
in-depth knowledge of Finland's history and culture makes him a perfect
guide to lead you through a tour of that remarkable country without
leaving your favorite chair.
A book can
be shared with others, will last forever, and this one costs less
than
a pizza which is gone in 15 minutes! Now that's a Good Deal, and It was
this book that inspired Rural Route Bookstore to end the year with a
Focus on Finland.
FN - 01 Hardcover
$9.95
The
Winter Warby
William Durbin
When the
large Soviet Union invaded tiny Finland in the fall of 1939,
the
conflict came to be known — in Finland as well as in northern Minnesota
and parts of Michigan where Finnish immigrants had recently settled —
as The Winter War. Even though this is a novel, the circumstances and
methods of warfare are historically accurate. The Finns, who were
greatly outnumbered in men, aircraft, guns, and tanks, had several
things going for them including determination, perseverance and protecting
their homeland.
However, the Finns' best allies turned out to be the bitter cold
(as
low as minus 56 degrees), and their skill at skiing in all kinds of
weather when heavy Russian tanks couldn't function.
This
240-page book was written for Young Adults and has won numerous awards
in this category, but the book can be appreciated by adults. The story
is reminiscent of Skis
Against the Atom, an adult book about skiing skill as a secret weapon
in Norway during WWII, and of Snow
Treasure,
a true story from Norway, written for children about their role in
secret war efforts. Both of these books are available at Rural Route
Bookstore. Click on their titles for more information.
This
latest novel by Durbin reveals a twist so amazing it would be a
shame to mention it here!
HIS-WW05Hardcover$15.99
Can
We Have
Christmas Now? (CD) Sari & Mari
Kaasinen
Sari
and Mari Kaasinen are among the best-known singers of folk songs
in Finland and are founding members of the group, Värttinä.
On this CD, they present 11
of their
favorite Finnish Christmas songs--both original and traditional--with
arrangements by Timo Alakotila and other great players from the
Finnish folk music world.
While
the lyrics and style are definitely
Finnish, the universal spirit of Christmas shines through. As many of
these songs remind the sisters of their childhood, a child's sense of
wonder and excitement can be felt throughout, as expressed in the
title "Can We Have Christmas Now?" Sari completes the album with a
special version of "Silent Night" on the Finnish harp, the
kantele.
CD
- 2 $15.00
A Finnish Christmas
Cookbookby Sargit Warriner & Liisa Krumsieg
This
cookbook, subtitled "Recipes And Traditions From The Old Country", is a
compilation of recipes for time-honored, Christmas-appropriate
dishes
from the culinary heritage of Finland that would grace any family meal
or celebratory occasion. From Kotikalja (Homemade Beer) to
Suolattu lohi (Salted Salmon) to Luumukiisseli (Prune
Pudding) to Karinin voirinkilat
(Karin's Butter Rings) this book is a wonderful compendium of
cook-friendly recipes, supplemented with traditional meal menus and
with black and white photos and also color photos of lovely table
spreads.
Both
authors grew up and were educated in Finland, and both live now in
Wisconsin and, their their expertise in the kitchen as well as
their academic training and research abilities come through in
this
111-page book. Unlike in Norway and Sweden where rural traditions and
foods prevailed among the immigrants, Sarriner and
Krumsig's research
found that today's Finnish Christmas celebration mainly comes from
genteel customs that evolved in city life and gradually spread to all
parts of the country during the past one hundred years. The
authors
traced the origins of many Finnish Christmas customs
and rituals to
harvest times.
CK 3Paperback$14.95
The Finnish Cookbookby Beatrice A. Ojakangas
First published in 1964, this
cookbook — called "Finland's best-selling cookbook adapted for American
kitchens" — is in its
23rd printing. As part of the Crown Classic Cookbook Series, a set
of
publications featuring the world's best-loved international
cookbooks,
it is specially adapted for use in American kitchens. To make
things
less frustrating for the American cook, the measurements are given in
U.S. Customary Units rather than metric, and
recipes are listed by both
their English and Finnish names.
Ojakangas, who has been
called the "queen of recipe books," is an author and chef in Duluth,
MN, and has written more than a dozen cookbooks. Along with recipes for
specialties such as Karelian Rice Piirakkaa (thin oval-shaped pies
filled with either rice or mashed potatoes), Rovastinpipparkakut (Bishop's pepper cookies),
spinach pancakes, fish in a crust, and
the Finnish Smorgasbord, the author has
included recipes from both
country and city, full sample menus, and
gives the cultural background
for many of the dishes — especially ones for holiday events.
Ojakangas
includes relevant and interesting tidbits about the land and its
people, background information invaluable to anyone who wants to
know
more about Finland and Finnish cooking, and she shares memories
she
attaches to some of these hearty foods from the Land of the
Midnight
Sun.
CK 4Hardcover$17.95
Finland: A
Coloring & Activity Bookby Kirsten Sevig
This is the fourth
coloring and activity book on the Scandinavian countries that Kirsten
has designed. See Scandinavian
coloring book collection.This
book, enjoyed by teachers as much as young people, contains pages for
coloring, an easy-to-read map, simple Finnish crafts, recipes, songs
and traditions. From castles to caribou, folk art designs to
Finnish
costumes, young and old alike will enjoy this 48-page book teaches a
few fun Finnish words as well as the address of where to mail Santa
Claus a letter if you live in Finland.
CH - 33 $7.95
Misery Bay:
& Other Stories from Michigan's Upper Peninsulaby Lauri
Anderson
Dedicated
to the People of Copper Country, (the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper
Michigan), this collection of sometimes bittersweet stories deals with
the Finns who settled there — mostly to work as miners — their heroes,
survivors against the odds, and their heritage as Finnish-Americans,
but also their heritage as "Yooper's" who also represent the unique
Copper Country heritage created by these settlers; a lifestyle based on
basic humanity, unconscious humility, and individuality.
The
rhythm of Anderson's writing (in English) mimics the Finnish language,
and he places his stories within a historic context, and states,
"Misery Bay is both real and fictional."
FN - 05
Paperback $12.95
Heikki Heikkinen: &
Other Stories of Upper Peninsula Finnsby Lauri Angerson
Several
stories make up this collection by Lauri Anderson, the chronicler of
life among the Finnish Americans of Upper Michigan, but the main story
is about Heikki Heikkinen which allows the author to include his
unique
humor, satire and irony learned from living with "his people."
Heikkinen
sees things in black and white. He loves beer, fishing, and growing
potatoes. He hates barbeque grills, his arrogant nephew from the
big
city of Lansing, and all "flatlanders". However, he really dislikes his
neighbor, Hilda Maki, and strong opinions on Wal-Mart, K-Mart, people
in Florida and even those from Green Bay — even though Heikki has at
least been there.
FN - 06
Paperback $12.95
Elina, Mistress of
Laukko(a
novel)by
Mary
Caraker
This
Finnish-American novel has three parallel stories running through it:
Elina, a country girl who married a wealthy jealous nobleman; Lily, the
"writer" of the stories, who has the characteristics of the other two
women; and Lily's grandmother. The cover of the book, showing a barn on
fire, gives clues to some of the Grandmother's misery. All three women
seem to have inherited a weakness for dominating, controlling men and,
according to the author, "Love and hate, jealousy and revenge combine
to shape the destinies of all three women."
Author
Caraker is the granddaughter of Finnish immigrants who settled in
Oregon, and she has gained her knowledge of, and interest in,
Finnish-Americans from her observations of her relatives and from her
early life in Oregon.
FN - 07
Paperback $12.95
Gift:
A
Novel of the Upper Peninsulaby Joseph Damrell
FN - 08
Paperback $9.95
Hometown Folks: A
Finnish-American Sagaby Gerald F. Carlson
FN - 09
Paperback $12.95
The Fish of Gold: & Other Finnish Folk Talesby
Inkeri Vaananen-Jensen,
tr.
FN
- 10 Paperback $7.95
Meeting the Neighbors: Sketches of Life on the
Northern Prairieby W. Scott
Olsen
FN - 11
Paperback $9.95
The Journal of Otto Peltonenby William
Durbin
Part
of the "My Name is America" Series. This one has as its subject a
Finnish Immigrant from Hibbing Minnesota who arrived in 1905.
FN - 12 Hardcover
$10.95
Heath Cobblers (Nummisuutarit)
and KullervoDouglas
Robinson, tr.
One
book containing two plays. Heath Cobblers, a comedy in five acts,
and
Kullervo, a tragedy in five acts, were written by the famous Finnish
writer and playright, Aleksis Kivi.
FN - 13
Paperback $14.95
Vilho, Finnish Freedom Fighterby Leslie W.
Wisuri
FN - 14
Paperback $12.95
The Fabulous Family Holomolaiset by Patricia Eilola
A Minnesota Finnish Family's Oral
Tradition
FN - 15
Paperback $12.95
Finn Family Moomintroll:by Tove
Jansson
For upper elementary age readers.
A part of the Moomintroll series.
FN - 16
Paperback $6.95
Finnish Folkloreby Leea
Virtanen & Thomas DuBois
A thoroughly researched scholarly work
about folklore in Finland throughout several generations.
FN - 20
Paperback $25.00
A Field Guide to
Blueberries:
Poetryby
Jim Johnson
Johnson, who also authored Finns in
Minnesota Midwinter, incorporated blueberries into the title of
this — his second book of poetry — because blueberries are as "blue as
Finland."
FN - 18
Paperback $9.95Now $5.00
A
Bride for Anna's Papa by Isabel Marvin
A
story about Finnish Immigrants on Minnesota's Iron Range in 1907.
Thirteen-year-old Anna Kallio is forced to leave school to keep
house for her father and younger brother after her mother dies.
Anna and her brother conspire to find a wife for their father so
Anna can return to school--even if it means a mail-order bride
from Finland! This children's novel contains almost all of the
crises common to immigrant life, and serves as a great
introduction to the study of immigration and to Finnish-American
customs. Ages 8-12.
FN - 19 Paperback
$6.95
Iceland Sweden
Order
by using the 'Place an Order' form or you
may order by
phone (800 494-9124). For payment and shipping charges, see 'Place an Order.'
All Caragana Press
products are
available at wholesale prices to qualified retailers, organizations,
churches, schools, and libraries. Call 800 494-9124 for details.
The Prince and the
Nanny
by Odell M.
Bjerkness 
the early life of Norway's King Harald as
told through journals kept by Inga Berg who was Prince Harald's nurse
at Skaugum, the royal family’s estate in Asker near Oslo, the first 18
months of Prince Harald's life. 
The Memory Quilt: A
Tale of Friends & Family Lost
& Found in the Great Cloquet Fire of 1918 by Pamela J.
Erickson
Finland: The Land of
Lakes
The
Winter War
Can
We Have
Christmas Now? (CD) Sari & Mari
Kaasinen 
A Finnish Christmas
Cookbook
The Finnish Cookbook
Finland: A
Coloring & Activity Book
Elina, Mistress of
Laukko
Gift:
Finn Family Moomintroll
A Field Guide to
Blueberries
