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The Canine Kalevala
Recasts the legendary adventures of three Finnish heroes who are rivals for the hand of the Maiden of Pohja with characters from a tribe of wild and wooly dogs of the gloomy North.
30 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
3 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Mauri Kunnas
197 books78 followersMauri Tapio Kunnas is a Finnish cartoonist and children's author. Kunnas is most famous for his numerous children's books, illustrated by himself and featuring anthropomorphic animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
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March 2, 2017
Ha! Ya gotta love that cheeky AI's sense of humor...
October 4, 2017
Somu klasika pavieglā un ilustrētā versijā. Ļoti izklaidējoši, pietiekami informatīvi un galvenais - tās bildes!
January 11, 2018
This is a pretty awesome retelling of the Kalevala involving dogs, wolves, and cats. The illustrations are so funny. Really great for kids and adults.
February 27, 2020
Tänään 27.2.2020 sain loppuun kirjan nimeltä Koirien Kalevala. Ajattelin että luen kirjan nimeltä Koirien Kalevala koska huomenna on Kalevalan päivä. Lukiessani kirjaa nimeltä Koirien Kalevala minulle tuli todella oikein hyvä mieli. 😍❤😍❤😍
October 22, 2021
Ensimmäinen (vienan)karjalaksi lukemani kirja!
June 6, 2021
Que diversión! Las historias entre animales siempre gustan, en este caso tenemos a perros, gatos y lobos. Conocemos cada raza mediante unas increíbles ilustraciones que ocupan las dos páginas y tan solo se deja los pequeños textos para narrarnos lo que sucede.
La trama muy simple pero efectiva: un perro muy poderoso el cual es el mago más famoso, un pobre perro que se cree que es más de lo que realmente puede dar y un gato atractivo y valiente. Estos tres personajes serán nuestros protagonistas, los cuales lucharan por el amor de una bella loba. El padre de esta última pondrá pruebas a sus pretendientes, a cual más difícil.
Apto para todos los públicos, en especial para los más jóvenes debido a su poco texto y buenas ilustraciones. Gusta mucho observar los dibujos detenidamente para ir descubriendo detalles en el fondo de las imágenes, ya que perfectamente salen decenas de seres y objetos en ellas.
La trama muy simple pero efectiva: un perro muy poderoso el cual es el mago más famoso, un pobre perro que se cree que es más de lo que realmente puede dar y un gato atractivo y valiente. Estos tres personajes serán nuestros protagonistas, los cuales lucharan por el amor de una bella loba. El padre de esta última pondrá pruebas a sus pretendientes, a cual más difícil.
Apto para todos los públicos, en especial para los más jóvenes debido a su poco texto y buenas ilustraciones. Gusta mucho observar los dibujos detenidamente para ir descubriendo detalles en el fondo de las imágenes, ya que perfectamente salen decenas de seres y objetos en ellas.
October 26, 2014
THE CANINE KALEVALA is a retelling of the Finnish national epic by children's author Mauri Kunnas featuring, as so often, dogs and cats in the roles. The English translation is by Tim Steffa. Kunnas depicts most of the Kalevala's plot where its characters seek the Sampo, though it opens with the confrontation between Joukahainen and Vainamoinen. There are some changes to make this more suitable for small children -- the attempted rape of Aino by Vainamoinen and her suicide is reversed, with Aino pursuing the unwilling old wizard. The womanizing of the smith is of course not part of the book. This is an adorable little production. Kunnas' art has a great deal of detail, allowing children to discover something new each time they read. There's considerable inventiveness in Kunnas' "canine versions" of some of Akseli Gallen-Kallela's classic paintings.
My main complaint is that the binding of the Otava volume that is currently in print (ISBN 9511124420) is not terribly strong and might not withstand too frequent reading by your child.
My main complaint is that the binding of the Otava volume that is currently in print (ISBN 9511124420) is not terribly strong and might not withstand too frequent reading by your child.
December 13, 2015
Mauri Kunnas's books were my childhood favourites and I remember learning a lot from them. This book is no exception. Like most Finns I have never read Kalevala and I only know some of the stories from here and there, so the whole story was mostly new to me.
Kunnas's drawing style ensures that there is a lot to discover, both for kids and adults. Many of the pictures have clearly been influenced by Akseli Gallen-Kallela's famous paintings, though some of them, as well as the stories, have been made more approriate for children. But I think I liked the ending best, as it explains why dogs don't like cats.
Kunnas's drawing style ensures that there is a lot to discover, both for kids and adults. Many of the pictures have clearly been influenced by Akseli Gallen-Kallela's famous paintings, though some of them, as well as the stories, have been made more approriate for children. But I think I liked the ending best, as it explains why dogs don't like cats.
September 29, 2016
I read the English translation: The Canine Kaleva.
This picture book, which uses cats and wolves and dogs to depict the characters, makes The Kalevala, the 600 page, Finnish national epic, accessible to younger readers and to anyone not wishing to tackle the actual epic. Kunnas takes on the wieldy task of compacting a huge story, with a large cast of characters into 32 dense pages. The spirit of the story is captured, as is Finnish mythology and psyche, but at times the pace is hurried. Several of the illustrations are based on pictures of the famous Finnish artist, Akseli Gallen-Kallela.
This picture book, which uses cats and wolves and dogs to depict the characters, makes The Kalevala, the 600 page, Finnish national epic, accessible to younger readers and to anyone not wishing to tackle the actual epic. Kunnas takes on the wieldy task of compacting a huge story, with a large cast of characters into 32 dense pages. The spirit of the story is captured, as is Finnish mythology and psyche, but at times the pace is hurried. Several of the illustrations are based on pictures of the famous Finnish artist, Akseli Gallen-Kallela.
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September 20, 2021Tarttui käteen hyllystä taka-ajatuksena hoitolapsen tylsistyttäminen uneen, mutta eihän siitä mitään tullut kun oli niin absurdi ja jännä juoni, että tyyppi halus kuunnella ihan loppuun asti. Aikuisten Kalevalan juonen ja kuuluisat maalaukset tuntevalle ihan hauskaa verrata lasten versiota ja sen kuvitusta alkuperäiseen. Vakavanha Väinämöinen ui isokokoista Ainoa pakoon saareen, sillä halusi vain taloudenhoitajan eikä vaimoa, jne. Jos tarvitsee joskus kerrata johonkin tarkoitukseen Kalevalan tapahtumia niin saatat onnistua.
July 7, 2022
Oikeastaan 3 1/2.
Pidin tästä koiraversiosta enemmän kuin siitä alkuperäisestä. Tai niin ainakin muistaisin. Pitänee lukea sekin jälleen. Muistan alkuperäistä lukiessani etten oikein aina ollut kartalla koska tuo kieli on mitä on mutta Koirien Kalevalassa se oli selkeää ja mukavaa.
Pidin tästä koiraversiosta enemmän kuin siitä alkuperäisestä. Tai niin ainakin muistaisin. Pitänee lukea sekin jälleen. Muistan alkuperäistä lukiessani etten oikein aina ollut kartalla koska tuo kieli on mitä on mutta Koirien Kalevalassa se oli selkeää ja mukavaa.
March 19, 2023
Pretty much the definitive retelling of the Finnish Epic, Kalevala - featuring man's best friend, dog. And wolves and cats, but dogs!
It's a cheerful adaptation of the tale of Kalevala that I think both children and adult alike are going to love. The illustrations are the main attraction here: they are numerous, detailed to the point that you'll find fun easter eggs after each reread, and always hilarious. And that is perhaps my only (and even then, quite minor) criticism of the book: the story is told in a very few words. While I wouldn't trade away the beautiful illustrations, I would have hoped that the story of Kalevala, its many characters, magics and myths, would have been expanded more, as now the reading of the book won't take that long. Sure, the illustrations will keep you busy, and coming back, for a long while, but if we had more descriptions, dialogue, and all of that good stuff, I'd say this would have been an instant classic. Now, you get the humorous sparks notes version of the tale - though few would argue that it's a bad thing at all.
It's a cheerful adaptation of the tale of Kalevala that I think both children and adult alike are going to love. The illustrations are the main attraction here: they are numerous, detailed to the point that you'll find fun easter eggs after each reread, and always hilarious. And that is perhaps my only (and even then, quite minor) criticism of the book: the story is told in a very few words. While I wouldn't trade away the beautiful illustrations, I would have hoped that the story of Kalevala, its many characters, magics and myths, would have been expanded more, as now the reading of the book won't take that long. Sure, the illustrations will keep you busy, and coming back, for a long while, but if we had more descriptions, dialogue, and all of that good stuff, I'd say this would have been an instant classic. Now, you get the humorous sparks notes version of the tale - though few would argue that it's a bad thing at all.
July 28, 2020
Read with 7-year old, who gave the 3 stars. I would have perhaps given less as it bothers me when plots are changed - I understand why, but there is a grey somewhere around misinformation and retelling the story. The original stories written by Kunnas are fine, but I think I've now had enough of these copies.
Points for the new versions of paintings by Akseli Gallen-Kallela. In general, the pictures are the best part (sometimes almost the only good part) in Mauri Kunnas books. If the child is not otherwise interested, he can look for the small details (mainly the bugs) in the pictures.
Points for the new versions of paintings by Akseli Gallen-Kallela. In general, the pictures are the best part (sometimes almost the only good part) in Mauri Kunnas books. If the child is not otherwise interested, he can look for the small details (mainly the bugs) in the pictures.
January 29, 2019
From what I've read, you really need to know the Kalevala (Finland's national epic) and famous paintings of some of its scenes to get all the jokes, but even ignorant as I am of these things this is still a really fun read. The story is easy to read despite being filled with mysterious diacriticals and Kunnas packs a lot of detail into the illustrations.
September 19, 2019
Had some fun reading this side-by-side with the Finnish edition (Koiran Kalevala). The canine element seems a little superfluous -- and if I'm reading the Finnish properly, is not really in the Finnish text anyway -- but Mauri Kunnas' illustrations are charming as always. The darkest bits of the story are skipped over, but the headstrong charm of the protagonists still shines through.
January 22, 2024
Mauri Kunnas is a much loved writer/artist in Finland who is most likely known elsewhere for his book about Santa Claus. Koirien Kalevala (Dog's Kalevala in English) tells the tale of Finland's legendary folklore classics through the eyes of cartoon dogs. It is both funny and entertaining, while introducing the mythology of Kalevala to new generations of kids. Hyvää Mauri!
May 8, 2017
What a lovely version of Kalevala! It's adviced to take it with a grain of salt since it's a children book and some facts were actually changed or omitted. Still a good read I will definitely go back to in the future!
August 11, 2017
Iltasatuna luettu kirja sai lukijan ja kuuntelijat toteamaan yhteen ääneen, että tämä oli paras Mauri mitä on luettu.
September 11, 2017
Wonderful details and illustrations! One of my favorite children's book authors!
April 9, 2018
Luin esikoiselle (5,7v) ääneen, lapsi piti tarinasta kovasti.
January 28, 2019
Cute story, but I love Mauri Kunnas' books primarily for the amazing cartoons/pictures. They're so much fun to read! I can't wait to read this with my nephew.
November 20, 2019
Vienankarjalan lukuharjoitukseksi luettu.
February 3, 2020
Helmet lukuhaaste kohta 8 kirja, jonka toinen valitsee puolestasi
August 16, 2022
Entertaining introduction to the Kalevala
December 8, 2023
Dette er ei forvirrande historie, men det er vel i grunn ikkje Mauri Kunnas si skuld. Ordforrådet er i blant litt utfordrande, men elles var denne jo også underhaldande.
May 16, 2024
One of the funniest books I ever read.
So witty, and so masterfully drawn.
Love this alternativa version of Kalevala!
So witty, and so masterfully drawn.
Love this alternativa version of Kalevala!
July 11, 2025
Hauska versio Kalevalasta, mitä lapset tykkäsivät kuunnella. Ja tietysti mainio kuvitus, etenkin koira versiot Akseli Gallen-Kallelan maalauksista olivat mainiota.
December 28, 2025
Hauskaa miten vahvoja tunnemuistoja meillä on tähänkin kirjaan. Nyt luodaan vauvalle samanlaisia ♡
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews