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Tuula Pere (b. 1958) holds a Ph.D. in Law and is an award-winning children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. Her doctoral dissertation, published in 2015, examines the limits of freedom of speech in the Finnish mass media amidst the social and cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s. Prior to her doctoral research, Tuula Pere had a career spanning over two decades as a lawyer and held various expert and executive positions in large industrial companies.
Since 2010, Tuula Pere has published over eighty children's books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. She has also authored poetry and aphorisms for children, as well as short stories and non-fiction for adults. Tuula Pere is an avid music and sports enthusiast and a keen baker. She is married and the mother of three.
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In Thomas and the Magic Violin by Tuula Pere, a young boy is determined to get a difficult composition for his school’s concert just right. While his friends are outside, Thomas is practicing inside with the windows open, worried that his neighbors are tired of hearing his mistakes. Across the courtyard from his apartment lives an older master violinist. Thomas has long admired the man from afar for how he plays. One day, a few notes drifting from his neighbor’s home change everything for the young musician. Will Thomas be able to play the piece expertly?
Thomas and the Magic Violin by Tuula Pere is the kind of children’s picture book that inspires readers to do their best. The writing describes what it’s like to juggle feelings like frustration, determination, and pride. As an educator, I think this book could be used to start discussions about perseverance, hobbies, or times when students have been frustrated. It could also be extended by having kids draw a picture of an activity they enjoy or make a graph showing whether each student plays an instrument. Sofia Panchyshyn’s illustrations, with their soft colors and expressive details, build scenes that naturally draw the eye. My personal favorite is the one with Thomas looking out his window, listening to the melody from across the way. Readers who like quiet stories centered on succeeding or heartfelt tales will enjoy this lovely read. Plato’s quote, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything,” beautifully captures how Thomas views his passion for music.
