The Summer Book

This is a charming description of a little girl’s summer on an island off the coast of Finland, spent with her grandmother and very tangentially, her father. Sophie is voice so beautifully in all her six year old glory. She is imperious, fretful, curious and fiercely loyal. Her grandma always finds just the right thing to say or do as they adventure through their days. Their relationship is priceless as it is captured on these pages.

I really enjoyed this book and I can see myself picking up and rereading it again and again. The relationship between the grandmother and Sophia is priceless. This book is beautifully written and the descriptions of their island will transport you to their world and put you right next to them, smelling the salty air and seeing the amazing beauty which surrounds Sophia and her grandmother. Tove Jansson's reflections about people, relationships, and connections to nature, are ageless. There is so many levels to this book - it's a must-read. 5 stars!

Wonderful and sad and happy, and of course made me wish my life had included a summer house on a tiny island. Reminded me a bit of Astrid Lindgren's Seacrow Island, without so much zaniness.