First graders in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area get a book present from the Helmet Library

Helmet libraries and publishers will give a book gift to all first graders in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area in the school year 2022–2023. The first-grader campaign is a significant investment in the literacy of small readers. The campaign aims to provide each first grader with an age-appropriate, high-quality book of their very own. It also invites all new pupils to visit their local library either with the teacher or their family. The campaign started in the Helmet libraries on Monday, 12 September 2022.

This year’s Finnish-language book gift is called Rapiseva reppu, written by Tuula Kallioniemi and illustrated by Virpi Penna. The book is published by Karisto as part of their easy-to-read “Kirjakärpänen” series. The book’s subject is familiar and topical to all first-graders: the first school day. Rapiseva reppu answers questions like ‘What if he can’t read yet?’, ‘What if I get lost during recess?’, ‘Can you play with Legos at school?’ and many more in a fun and engaging way.

Books for Swedish- and Russian-speaking children 

Helmet library will also donate Swedish- and Russian-speaking children beginning their school books in their native language. The Swedish-language book is Malin Klingenberg’s and Margareta Sandin’sVim och Galonis, published by Schildts & Söderströms. The Russian-language book is V. Dragunskij’s, L. Kaminskij’s and I. Pivovarova’sSamyje smešnyje istorii, published by AST.

How does one get the book gift? 

Employees of Helsinki, Kauniainen and Vantaa libraries will invite first grade classes and their teachers to the libraries, and the book gifts will be presented during the visit. In Espoo, first graders get an invitation card to the local or mobile library at their school to pick up their gift book there. 

Audio book for print-disabled children 

Celia’s books are available to everybody with difficulties reading ordinary books due to dyslexia, disease, injury or a corresponding reason. Celia will provide audio books of the Finnish- and Swedish-language campaign books. The child must have Celia’s online service identifiers to get the book. Ask the school or the library about the identifiers.