FLIKKA AND THE MAGIC BEAR Hazel Birt. Winnipeg, MB: Hazlyn Press, 1989. 71pp., paper, $9.95. ISBN 0-9693024-5-2. cloth, $14.95. ISBN 0-9693024-3-6. Distributed by Hazlyn Press. CIP. Subject Headings: Bears-Fiction. Canada, Northern-Fiction. Grades 1-6 / Ages 6-11 Reviewed by Joan Payzant. Volume 18 Number 3 1990 May Hazel Lauttamus Birt's children's books are based on Finnish folklore and are illustrated with her own woodcuts. Flikka and the Magic Bear is reminiscent of Spyri's Heidi combined with Antonine Maillet's Christopher Cartier of Hazelnut, Also Known as Bear ¹. It is the story of a little girl visiting her Finnish grandfather in a remote area of Canada. While there she has a live, blue-eyed black bear for her companion and protector. The story is sprinkled with Finnish phrases and verses and includes a glossary. I found the adventures of Flikka rather bland, the writing stilted, and the verses out of context. They may be pleasing in Finnish but lack charm in English. The hard-cover edition is well bound and the paper quality is very good, but pica type cheapens the book and is unsuitable for its intended audience. Joan Payzant, Dartmouth, NS. ¹ Reviewed vol. Xlll/2 March 1985, p.66.