Finland, Oulu: Introducing The Doghill Kids (Koiramäen lapset) at the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia

Mauri Kunnas must be one of the most loved illustrators and storytellers in Finland. The books on his wonderfully delightful Doghill Family have been concurring the world and the imagination of many, many children.


The books represented in the permanent exhibition at the Northern Ostrobothnia Museum in Oulu, Finland are 'The Doghill', 'On the Doghill Farm' and 'The Winter at the Doghill'.


The 1990's Doghill project was very large involving the Museum, The Artists Workshops, the Youth workshops and the Oulu Theatre. The aim was to bring history nearer to children by creating scale models of the very true to history books by Mauri Kunnas.

Through viewing the larger scale models and the tiny precise models of the everyday life equipment of the old days, children could relate to the real historical artifacts placed at the other parts of the museum.


Here for example are the looms that were used in weaving in the old days.


And here is the way the hay was harvested.

I found that while visiting the Northern Ostrobothnia Museum, the little exhibition on the Doghill Family was just so much fun.

Suddenly I remembered reading all these books to my own children. I remembered their great joy in looking at the illustrations and the way we could talk about the old days through the stories of the books.

It is just wonderful to see them as 3D scale models at the museum. I wish everyone could see them.

So, if you happen to be in Oulu, I urge you to do so. (You might at well see the whole thing, 4 floors of excellent historical displays, including the one on the seafaring).

It will be so very enjoyable.

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Australia, Queensland, Logan; Local Library as Art

If you are truly interested in books, a library near your home would be the easiest, cheapest and the most accessible place to find them. Sometimes the library experience can also be inspirational to your senses. It can be true art.





Sharing of knowledge through the free libraries of the world can be looked on as an expression of compassion and kindness. It is wonderful how reading books, magazines and other materials that can be found there can help to make the world a better place by providing an outlet for easing everyday worries. Enjoying a moment of peace and quiet reading, listening or browsing amongst the treasures that can be found in any library can contribute to the general wellbeing of any community.





Many libraries also contain art or house various exhibitions that highlight the importance of knowledge. Some libraries are built on a theme. This is a case of the main library at Logan in Queensland, Australia. Curiously, the theme it shares with the clients is 'books'.





Being a great admire of books, I found that visiting this particular library inspired me to find thing about using books as art in other places, too. Throwing away old books is often a hard thing to do. Many find it difficult purely on the basis that it does contain information that can be useful. In this high technological age, where eBooks and eBook readers rule the world, finding additional use for old books is a kind thing to do. For people fond of libraries, visiting your nearest one with friends and children can open up a new world to you and the people around you.

Let's enjoy the libraries of the world and promote their usage as an compassionate act to everybody!

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