Päivänselvä: Kotitalous / Riikka Tuohimetsä

Nonfiction. Home economics. Instructive. 

DESCRIPTION: This is a course book aimed at both teachers and students teaching home economics skills including cooking, cleaning, finances and more.

LANGUAGE: Each chapter begins with a section for teachers that has assignment suggestions and a long list of links and videos to share with students. Each chapter is in textbook format, teaching in simple Finnish with illustrations with helpful vocabulary. The book is aimed at students in grades 6 and up, which I firmly agree with, but in addition I think this book will be useful for adult immigrants from countries that have cultures different from Finland. This book may even lessen culture shock for many! It teaches about Finnish homes, tools, traditional and modern recipes, nutrition and help with budgeting and even debt management. Based on the target audience and topics in the book, I would recommend this for B1 level and up. If you are not quite a B level, the book is still worth picking up to read for sections relevant to you!

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK:  I don't know about you, but I never took home economics in school so I found this book fascinating. There are also aspects of Finnish culture and daily life that seemed so natural to Finns that left me wondering (fish cake? what?). Videos and links provided also gave me insight to sources that I wasn't aware of previously. I think that this book is relevant to all adults who have moved to Finland and not be deterred by the "coursebook" style. If you are interested in home ec topics, this book would be fun to skim through on a weekend. However, if you are looking for something a bit more intensive, there are assignments in this book which would be really fun to do over a weekend! 

Highly recommended: 5/5

Opi neulomaan / Anna Vasala

 

Opi neulomaan / Anna Vasala

Nonfiction. Selkokirja. Knitting.

DESCRIPTION: In this selkokirja knitting book, Anna Vasala introduces readers to knitting terms, including supplies and techniques. She walks readers through selecting a project, beginning to knit and different techniques. Included are a few basic projects.

LANGUAGE: The book has large full color photographs, which really help to show detail in how knitting needles and yarn is held, and where the needle is placed in different movements. Using the information in the book, anyone can knit projects from this book and also use the information to pick out projects from elsewhere and still be able to understand knitting instructions. I honestly think that all beginning knitters, including native Finnish speakers, should use this book when starting out, as it condenses all the essential information into a compact package. 

I have always said that if you are learning a new language, you should read what interests you. Whether that's cooking, outer space, or knitting. If a subject is interesting to you personally, you'll be more likely to focus on the reading and pick up new vocabulary. Because of that I am recommending this book to all levels starting from A1. 

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: You should read this book if you have never knit and want to learn how. You should read this book if you have been knitting for decades as it is always helpful to see and learn how other people knit - whether the needles are held the same way, whether stitches are knit and purled in the same way - and possibly learn a new ways to knit! 

Highly recommended 5/5