Not My Strawberries

Aino-Maija Metsola

In the late summer heat, Irma the mouse enjoys her peaceful garden where the strawberries are just perfectly ripe. To her horror, she notices that someone has been eating her strawberries. Intruders! Angry Irma sets out to find the culprit, and encounters a hungry snail family who had to leave their home. Their distress softens greedy Irma and she decides to help them.

A sympathetic tale of overcoming one’s prejudices and how sharing is caring. The story deals with human emotions and also social issues of otherness, hunger and migration. Despite its serious themes, the book’s tone is hopeful and full of warm humour.