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In this timeless and tender trilogy, Taru Viinikainen tells the story of Aurora, a tiny, squirrel-like Tailkin who lives with her grandmother in a house made from an old boot. Though the characters are small and imaginary, their emotions and struggles are deeply human: fear, grief, prejudice, and the quiet search for belonging, and the courage within. Aurora has seen too much sorrow in her early childhood. But with the help of her wise and loving grandmother—and wrapped in her brown wool cardigan for when she needs courage—Aurora begins to find her way through fear toward hope, connection, and bravery.
Illustrated in full colour by Silja-Maria Wihersaari, this classically beautiful trilogy brims with fairytale charm, emotional nuance, and the magic of a small but determined heroine.
English sample translation
Finnish editions
2024, Winner of the Arvid Lydecken Award
“A heart-wrenchingly beautiful portrayal of how the care and unconditional love of a wise, sensitive adult can help even a deeply traumatised child heal and become whole.” —Lastenkirjahylly Literary Review
“A fascinating fairy tale about a whip-tailed squirrel living in an old boot with its grandmother. There is something traditionally beautiful about Aurora of the Boot House—it practically overflows with the enchantment of fairy tales and stories, and is full of emotional rollercoasters. When it really matters, the tiny protagonist overcomes her fear and reveals a brave hero within, who dares to face danger for the sake of others and, in doing so, receives an unexpected reward.” —Jury of the Arvid Lydecken Award
Book 1: Aurora and the Fear of All Fears
Saapastalon Aurora ja pelkojen pelko, WSOY 2023, 144 pages, Full-colour illustrations
A moving and gorgeously illustrated adventure about fears and anxiety, inherited resilience, and the quiet power of standing up for others.
Aurora is a fearful little Tailkin who has grown up under her grandmother’s care after tragic events in her early-childhood. Her first home with her parents on Boot Island was destroyed by a raging fire that all the island’s tailkins to move to the mainland. Soon after, Aurora’s parents disappeared – swept away by the strong currents at Doom Rapids. Ever since, Aurora has lived at her grandmother’s Boot House in Barrelville – a village where joy is frowned upon and fear is circulated like news—especially in the form of anonymous, panic-stirring letters.
Her grandmother refuses to follow the villagers’ restricting rules. She is creative, curious, and kind—everything Barrelville tries to suppress. Aurora, however, is so anxious she takes every warning to heart.
But when news arrives that some surviving Tailkins might still be living on Boot Island—and Aurora’s grandmother suddenly vanishes—something shifts. For the first time, Aurora dares to disobey her fears. Wearing her grandmother’s wool cardigan like a suit of armour, she sets out to cross the water, confront the villagers’ prejudice, and rescue those left behind.
Book 2: Aurora and the Winter of Mischief
Saapastalon Aurora ja tihutöiden talvi, WSOY 2024, 120 pages, Full-colour illustrations
A warm-hearted and gently mysterious story about true kindness, curiosity, and what might happen if you extend a helping hand to someone in great need.
It’s winter at Boot House, and all but Aurora, who has stayed awake to look after her baby sister, are already in hibernation. Sudden happenings at Boot House make her worried; a bowl of dough is mysteriously spilled, holes appear in the laundry, and footprints in the snow suggest an unexpected visitor.
Then, one a frosty night, Aurora finds a strange, fluffy creature shivering out in the cold. Not a Tailkin like her, but some other creature she doesn’t know. She simply cannot bear to leave it out in the cold and brings the creature into the safety of Boot House.
When the mischief spreads in the village, Aurora sets out to discover the origins of the creature she has saved. Her search takes her on a wintry adventure filled with surprises, where not everything—or everyone—is quite what they first appear.
Book 3: Aurora and the Treasure of all Treasures
Saapastalon Aurora ja aarteiden aarre, WSOY 11/2026
The concluding chapter in Aurora’s story will be published in Fall 2026.