Turku (Finland) through Pikkuli

Our upcoming travel will lead us to Turku and its region, in the south-west part of Finland, by the coast, with numerous islands.

Turku is also the home of ‘Sun in eye’ production, who created Pikkuli cartoons then educational apps, beautifully made around the Pikkuli baby bird character, his family and friends, facing new challenges in each episode.

“Pikkuli stories began from the children’s book “Fly Pikkuli, fly!” written by Metsämarja Aittokoski and illustrated by Elli Vuorinen. In the TV-series, the birds communicate through chirping. However, abstract ideas like feelings, fears and dreams are shown through visual thought bubbles.” (pikkuli.fi)

The Finnish nature and environment is very nicely presented, with characters belonging to Turku region’s environment such as Honkkeli, Hazel grouse, Woodpecker, Owl, Frog, Mole, Spider, Long tailed tits and Nestling.

“The characters in Pikkuli series have been created to depict various personalities with different strengths and weaknesses. Each character is unique in its own way. The unique personality of each character intertwines with visual storytelling.” (pikkuli.fi)

Pikkuli – Social and emotional learning

In the series feelings are expressed through crying, laughter, dancing or thought bubbles (non-verbal)! This way words don’t describe feelings, but in order to understand them one must concentrate on the whole picture.

The teachers and children of the Turku Hepokulla elementary school have been involved in the development of Pikkuli’s social and emotional learning application in cooperation with students of the University of Turku.