ODDS AND ENDS written by Marja Hurmes and illustrated by Mia Spangenberg 

Enchanted Lion brings a fabulous Finish translation to American readers with Maija Hurme’s ODDS AND ENDS. This is the thoughtful kind of book the press is famous, a book of “lasts,” small moments widely collected by the book’s narrator from all parts of her experience. The book’s small illustrations and words are diverse, every one of them worth considering and imagining. There are last moments in nature such as “the last rays of sun, spreading color across the sky” to “the last migrating birds spotted on their way South.” There’s humor such as the last pieces of candy at the bottom of the bag—the ones nobody likes.” Some are personal such as “my friend Emma’s last wooly hat day” before spring and her being the last one in class to lose a tooth. I love the variety of classifications. There are “nail-biting lasts” like the second before jumping from a high dive or going on stage and “wistful lasts” like the last day of summer vacation or the giving up of a beloved treehouse because you’ve grown too big. filled with small illustrations based on small moments widely collected by the narrator from all parts of her experience. And in keeping with the book’s theme is a last question to inspire: what kinds of lasts have you found?” The end, of course, is a beginning for readers’ wonderment. You can find a link to the book in the purchase button below.