Kirsi Kunnas


Kirsi Marjatta Kunnas was a Finnish poet, children's literature author and translator into Finnish. Her oeuvre consists of poems, fairy tale books, drama, translations and non-fiction. Her books have been translated into Swedish, English, German, French, Hungarian, Estonian and Polish. She received several awards in Finland for her literary work.

Personal life

Her parents were visual artists Väinö and Sylvi Kunnas. Her father died from pneumonia when she was four. Her mother then married art critic Einari Vehmas.
Kunnas married author Jaakko Syrjä in 1957. Their sons are singer/songwriter Martti Syrjä and guitarist Mikko Syrjä of Eppu Normaali.
Kunnas died in her sleep at her home in Ylöjärvi on 8 November 2021, at the age of 96. Her widower Jaakko Syrjä died six months later on 22 May 2022 from COVID-19, also at the age of 96.

Poetry

  • Villiomenapuu
  • Uivat saaret
  • Tuuli nousee
  • Vaeltanut
  • Valikoima runoja
  • Kuun kuva meissä
  • Kaunis hallayö
  • Valoa kaikki kätketty
  • Puut kantavat valoa, poems 1947-1986 and translated work

Children's poetry, nursery rhymes

  • Tiitiäisen satupuu
  • Puupuu ja käpypoika
  • Hassut aakkoset
  • Hanhiemon iloinen lipas, the Finnish translation of Mother Goose
  • Kani Koipeliinin kuperkeikat
  • Sirkusjuttuja
  • Tiitiäisen pippurimylly
  • Tiitiäisen tuluskukkaro
  • Tiitiäisen runolelu
  • ''Tapahtui Tiitiäisen maassa''

Fairy tale books, primers

  • Tiitiäisen tarinoita
  • Aikamme aapinen / by Kirsi Kunnas and workgroup
  • Aikamme lukukirja: 2-5 / by Kirsi Kunnas and workgroup

Picture books

  • Kuin kissat ja koirat
  • Kutut kotona
  • Pikku lemmikit
  • Terveisiä Afrikasta
  • Hau hau koiranpennut
  • Kis kis kissanpennut
  • Etelän eläimiä - Tiedätkö että. 1-6. Together with Kyllikki Röman
  • Lintuystävämme - Tietoa linnuista. 1-6. Together with Kyllikki Röman
  • Pohjolan eläimiä - Tarua ja totta. 1-6. Together with Kyllikki Röman

Notable translations into Finnish