Tuula Pere’s Lullaby of the Valley is a children’s book about the importance of overcoming differences and fostering community. It is set on a mountain, where only two villages are located – one on the hillside, and the other further below in the lowlands. The people from both villages have their own customs and language. They once lived together harmoniously, united by the valley they share. However, everything is different now, as they have turned against each other. The men from each village have been sent to war and are fighting. Grandmother Kaina and her family have been greatly affected by this conflict. They can no longer access the market in the uplands or get fresh water from the spring. Kaina’s son, Karam, has joined the troops, leaving his wife, Amira, and two children waiting anxiously at home for his return. Will peace ever be restored in the valley, or are the two villages doomed to be adversaries forever?

Tuula Pere’s prose is captivating and poetic. She incorporates songs (lullabies) to connect the two communities. Although the villagers have their own versions of the same lullaby, when Kaina and Siran sing together, they blend them into one song, symbolizing a shared identity. The story’s moral is clear: Differences can always be overcome. Grandmother Kaina’s character reminds us of the power of love, and that differences should be celebrated and not demonized. Younger readers, aged four to eight, will enjoy this book because of the unique illustrations by Andrea Alemanno and the themes of family, love, and hope.

Lullaby of the Valley is a children’s story written in Finnish by Tuula Pere, translated into English by Mirka Pohjanrinne with illustrations by Andrea Alemanno. In a faraway mountain valley, two villages co-existed for generations, one in the valley and the other at the mountain top. The story starts at a time when the two villages are torn apart by conflict and hatred. Kaina, a wise grandmother from the mountaintop village, along with her friend Siran from the valley village, sing a lullaby to stop the continuing skirmish. Will the power of music and maternal love reach the soldiers and help them put down their weapons and return to a state of peace?

Tuula Pere has written a heartfelt story in Lullaby of the Valley, creating a memorable book about the power of reconciliation. The story, though simple, is narrated at a steady pace, allowing for a gradual, contemplative build-up of emotion. I loved how the lullaby was used not just as a song sung to children, but as a channel to bridge the divide between the warring villages. With the help of the dreamy illustrations by Andrea, Pere shows the characters' struggles in the two villages in their daily lives, allowing young readers to fully grasp the context of the story. Grandma Kaina is a well-developed character who decides to use her experience and wisdom to do something proactively to stop the ongoing war. Ideal for young readers, this story talks about the destructive nature of hatred, the healing power of love and music, and the importance of family and community.

What effect can a lullaby sung by one's mother have? Old Kaina and her daughter-in-law Amira are worried. The only two villages in their mountain valley have been at peace for a long time, but now, the villagers' hearts are filled with hatred. Karam, Kaina's son, has joined forces with other men to fight those they consider enemies. The villagers are afraid, and no one leaves their homes when night falls. One night, however, Kaina bravely goes out alone because she wants to go to the spring. There, she starts singing and meets Siran, a friend who lives in the other village. The two women sing the same song together, although with different words. What will happen when the echo of the lullaby reaches the fighting men and Karam himself? Tuula Pere will tell you in Lullaby of the Valley.

Lullaby of the Valley tells a story as sweet and touching as the song that Kaina and Siran sing. Tuula Pere shows us how familiar tunes soften even the hardest hearts and inspire us by portraying their powerful influence on adult men like Karam. This book conveys a delicate and precious message of peace, and you will be moved when you reach the end. Andrea Alemanno's pictures are beautiful and flawlessly present a mountain and pastoral landscape. I recommend this book as the perfect bedtime story to all young readers and invite their parents to sing them a lullaby or two while they read it.

Lullaby of the Valley by Tuula Pere is the story of two warring villages. In a faraway mountain valley, two nearby villages slowly turned against each other after years of peace. Grandma Kaina sings a lullaby to her grandchildren, and when they fall asleep, she expresses regret and wonders what started the brewing war between the two villages. Her son Karam is one of those angry young men who took up arms against the other village. Kaina decides to visit the spring between the two villages, and after arriving at the spot, she starts humming to herself and sings a soulful lullaby. Soon, her friend, Siran, joins her and lends her own voice to the song. Hearing their voices, Karam comes searching for the singers. Seeing his mother, he has a change of heart. But what about the others?

Lullaby of the Valley is a moving story about war and peace. Adults must do their best to instill values of love and peace in their children, and this message is incorporated beautifully into Tuula Pere's poignant tale. Pere's narrative is almost poetic, following the story of a world-weary grandmother bogged down by the toll of a futile war, which has put her children's and grandchildren's futures in peril. The narrative plays out like a graphic novel. Andrea Alemanno's enchanting artwork really captures the themes and tone, evoking feelings of heartache and hope in equal measure. The story ends on a hopeful note but still leaves a lot for the reader to contemplate. This is a powerful story that I highly recommend to readers of all ages.