Oksi

Oksi is a 400-page graphic novel for ages 12-18, drawing deeply from Finnish folklore to tell a powerful story of a mother bear, Umi, and her 'different' cub, Poorling. It delves into themes of generational connection, the damage and love passed between mothers and daughters, and the harsh beauty of the natural world. The art is a striking blend of digital, ink, and watercolor, primarily black-and-white with impactful splashes of color. Parents should be aware of the story's dark, intense, and sometimes violent elements, reflecting a 'fairytale nightmare' quality, but ultimately offering a poignant and unforgettable exploration of identity and belonging.

Booklist Editors' Choice Bulletin Blue Ribbons 2021 "It's a fairytale nightmare of the highest quality, a heartfelt history lesson written in flames, a poem."—Comics Beat ★ "At once beautiful and creepy...a fusion of fantasy and folklore that is more fine art than comic book. A must for libraries with folklore and world culture collections."—School Library Connection (starred) ★ "Fluidly rendered in inky b&w washes; accents of color leap off the page as the translation by Aronpuro flows smoothly."—Publishers Weekly (starred) ★ "Painful yet unforgettable… [this] Finnish fairy tale sees the damage that gods, mothers, and daughters are willing to inflict upon one another, all under the guise of love."—Booklist (starred) ★ "Rich. Radiant. Arresting. A breathtaking exploration of generational connection and the ways that damage can pass down from mother to daughter as easily as love."—BCCB (starred) Where was the bear born? Where delivered? By the moon, next to the sun Among the stars of the plough Sent to Earth in a golden cradle With silvery chains. Poorling is a little bear. She's a bit different from her brothers. Mother keeps their family safe. For the Forest is full of dangers. It is there that Mana lives, with her Shadow children. And above them all, Emuu, the great Grandma in the Sky. From the heart of Finnish folklore comes a breathtaking tale of mothers, daughters, stars and legends, and the old gods and the new.