The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland

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.

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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.

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HONOR

1996 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