Drops of Life

by Esko-Pekka Tiitinen, Nikolai Tiitinen (Illustrator), Emma Claret Pyrhönen (Translator)

Overview

Winner at the 2012 Living Now Book Awards

An owl accompanies a dove on a long journey to her birthplace in Africa. They undertake part of the voyage on the back of a whale, who helps them when he sees that flying makes the old owl tired. Once they arrive at their destination, they find that sand has taken over the area—where a lush forest once stood, there’s now nothing but desert! They will need the cooperation of other animals, a human, the sun, the water and a favorable wind in order to sow the seeds of life once more.

This beautiful story talks about solidarity, respect for nature, overcoming obstacles by helping one another, and the benefits of teamwork.

Guided Reading Level: R, Lexile Level: 720L

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9788415503330
Publisher:	Cuento de Luz
Publication date:	03/01/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	24
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	4 Years

About the Author

Esko-Pekka Tiitinen was born in Suonenjoki, Finland, acclaimed and award-winning author and artist Tiitinen’s talents are renowned within several professional fields. He has an active career as a writer and director of theater, scriptwriter, composer, songwriter and dramatist. He has written more than twenty books, several plays, radio plays, opera librettos, and TV scripts, and he has shown his work in Finland and beyond.

Nikolai Tiitinen is an award-winning illustrator from Finland.

Editorial Reviews

Finnish author Esko-Pekka Tiitinen offers a parable about kinship and caring for the environment, based on his play of the same name. When a dove gets lost, an owl helps her fly back to Africa; along the way, the birds meet a whale that saves its beached brothers and sisters. When they discover that the dove’s forest has become a desert, the wind carries a message to other animals, urging them to take part in replanting. The story is a bit of a guilt trip—the whales beach themselves “to say to the humans that the sea belongs to us, too,” and the animals literally water a tree with their tears. But Nikolai Tiitinen creates a hopeful atmosphere with soulful animals set against compositions of blazing fire and cool earth tones. Ages 5–up. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Realistically rendered animals are foregrounded, as on a stage, while Rothko-like backgrounds provide an aura of fantasy. The vibrant palette, strong contrast between warm and cool tones and sophisticated layering of colors effectively convey the splendor of nature." —www.KirkusReviews.com

"Tiitinen creates a hopeful atmosphere with soulful animals set against compositions of blazing fire and cool earth tones." —Publishers Weekly (March 19, 2012)

"subtle and soothing"—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"A great introduction to the care of the Earth."  —The Daytona Beach News-Journal

"A gentle, thoughtful tale of working together and of the miracles of nature, Drops of Life is also gorgeously decorated with sweeping, dramatic water-colored pages."  —Lee Littlewood with Creators Syndicate 
 

"This book teaches children not only an appreciation for nature, but that when we work together we can accomplish much more"—"One Mama's Daily Drama" blog

"[illustrator] Nikolai Tiitinen combines bright and vibrant colors with rich, earthy tones. The blended backgrounds emphasize the fantastic nature of the characters and plot."  —Once Upon a Book blog

From the Publisher

This play-turned-book, imported from Finland, opens with an idealistic dove approaching a world-weary owl to help alleviate the desertification in distant Africa. A friendly whale transports the pair across the ocean. After the mammal's beached siblings are rescued, and the destination is reached, the dove seizes on the solution of planting trees, but where to find seeds? Enter the wind, and the mission is carried to the four corners of the earth, reaching a koala, gorilla, panda and mountain lion. These creatures carry native seeds, while a boy brings water; the teamwork produces a seedling. In addition to being earnest to a fault, the dialogue-driven narrative bogs down in length and, at times, obscurity. The cause of the predicament is never explained, although there are asides about "saying something to humans." The repeated refrain, "the strong give the weak the power to do more / when the wind is behind them," only makes sense in context, diminishing its potential power. Realistically rendered animals are foregrounded, as on a stage, while Rothko-like backgrounds provide an aura of fantasy. The vibrant palette, strong contrast between warm and cool tones and sophisticated layering of colors effectively convey the splendor of nature. The exquisite visuals don't completely rescue this environmental fable from its heavy-handed and muddled message; theater, with its energy, movement and tighter scripting, it is still the better vehicle. (organization note) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews