Introduction to the Moomins

Introduction to
Moomin
The Moomins
The Moomins are the central characters in a series of books and a comic strip by
Swedish-Finn illustrator and writer Tove Jansson, originally published in Swedish in
Finland. They are a family of trolls who are white and roundish, with large snouts.
The carefree and adventurous family live in their house in Moominvalley, though in the
past their temporary residences have included a lighthouse and a theatre. They have
many adventures with their various friends.
Meet Moomin himself
Have you met Moomintroll yet?
He’s an agreeable fellow who’s interested in
everything he sees. The world is full of exciting
things to investigate, but Moomintroll particularly
loves collecting rocks and shells. He also loves
the sea, as does the whole Moomin family.
“They say I’m positively
Moominous!”
Moominpappa
Moominpappa is boyish and adventurous, but still
proud of being the head of the family. He enjoys
philosophical thinking and always wants to be on
the scene whenever something surprising happens
in Moominvalley. Moominpappa considers himself to
be very knowledgeable and an expert in many fields,
and is always willing to offer advice to others.
I Knew
nothing
but I
believed
a lot.
Moominmamma
Moominmamma is a calm and
collected mother who never lets little
things get on her nerves. She ensures
that the Moominhouse is always
a safe and loving place – both for
her family and for visitors.
NO DISHES TO
WASH TODAY.
PERHAPS
I WILL NEVER
EVER HAVE TO
WASH THEM
AGAIN.
Snorkmaiden
Snorkmaiden is Moomintroll's friend
and playmate. They like each other a
lot and love spending time together.
Snorkmaiden is happy and energetic,
although her habit of suddenly
changing her mind can sometimes
be irritating.
NOW REMEMBER!
SELF-CONFIDENT,
HAPPY,
NONCHALANT.
ONE MUST PRETEND
AT TIMES.
Sniff
Sniff is not a Moomin, but he lives
in the Moominhouse just like Little
My. Although he's eager to join in
with whatever the Moomins are up
to, he's too timid to do anything
dangerous. He's very good-natured
though sometimes a little cowardly.
I’m never
afraid.
But I think
the view is
better from
here.
Little My
Little My lives with the Moomins in
the Moominhouse, even though she isn’t
related to them. Little My is brave and
fearless, and is eager to join the Moomins
on their adventures. Sometimes she really
seems to love small catastrophes.
Hope for
the best and
prepare for
the worst.
Snufkin
Snufkin is a philosophical vagabond
who wanders the world fishing and
playing the harmonica. He carries
everything he needs in his backpack,
as he believes that having too much
stuff makes life overly complicated.
One can never
be truly free
if one admires
others
too much.
Mymble
Mymble is Little My's sister and
Snufkin’s half sister. Their mother
is also called Mymble, but being a
helpful big sister, Mymble soon
took responsibility for looking
after all her younger siblings.
You seem to be
yourself again.
Actually, you’re
nicer that way.
Too-ticky
Too-Ticky is a dear friend of
the Moomin family. She is a
wise woman who knows how to
solve all sorts of dilemmas in a
sensible and practical way.
All things are so
very uncertain.
And that’s exactly
what makes me feel
reassured.
Moominvalley
Moominvalley is an idyllic and
peaceful place where the Moomins
live in harmony with nature.
The largest building in the valley
is the Moominhouse, and its
occupants welcome all visitors from
the valley and further afield.
Moominhouse
The Moomins live in a round, blue house that's the same
shape as a ceramic fireplace. The house originally had only
two storeys, but the numerous visitors soon made it feel
cramped. The Moomins extended the house, which now
has three storeys and a cellar.
Stinky
The Groke
Stinky is the valley's
ugly and convincing
villain. The Moomin
family is now and
then in contact
with him and
actually takes
a little pride in
being friends with
a real villain.
The Groke is the terror of everyone.
She is so cold that frost appears on
the ground when she soundlessly
shuffles along. The Groke is mostly
heard howling from a distance.
The Moomin family is sometimes
scared of her, but she
is also considered to
give a little bit of zest
to life.
HAttifatteners
The Hattifatteners are silent beings that are forever
wandering around in large herds. The only thing that
interests them is reaching the horizon – and once they
reach it, they continue on their journey. The white, faceless
Hattifatteners are deaf and dumb. They don’t need to eat
or sleep. They pack themselves tightly together in large
herds, and stand there trembling. Nothing except
roaming interests them.
Tove Jansson
With her multifaceted life's work, Tove
Jansson (1914–2001) became one of the
key artists in Finnish visual art during the
postwar golden age of modernism.
Like her entire generation, Jansson
wanted to create art on her own terms,
but only few have accomplished this
with such originality. As a visual artist,
illustrator and author, Jansson expanded
and transformed her expression tirelessly
up to the last years of her life. Her works
are a reflection of an entire life philosophy,
eliciting enthusiastic responses from
children and adults alike in all countries
where her works are known.
MAYBE MY PASSION IS NOTHING SPECIAL,
BUT AT LEAST IT’s MINE.
Jansson's immense international success
made her one of the best-known Finnish
artists in the world. The year 2014 marked
Jansson's 100th anniversary. We hope the
work of this well-loved artist will continue
to inspire aspiring artists as they strive
towards new accomplishments.
You can find more information about
the Moomins and Tove Jansson
online at:
www.moomin.com
www.tovejansson.com
70 years of moomins
1945
The Moomins
and the Great
Flood, the first
Moomin story,
is published.
1946
The second
book, Comet In
Moominland, is
published.
1948
Finn Family
Moomintroll
is published.
1950
The Exploits of
Moomin­pappa
is published.
1952
The Book about
Moomin, Mymble
and Little My,
the first Moomin
picture book is
published.
1954
The Evening
News starts
to publish the
Moomin comic
strip.
1954
Moominsummer
Madness is
published.
1957
Moominland
Midwinter is
published.
1960
Who Will
Comfort Toffle,
the second
Moomin
picture book,
is published.
1962
Tales from
Moomin Valley
is published.
1965
Moominpappa
at Sea is
published.
1969
Fuji TV Zuiyo
produces an
animated
Moomin series
in Japan,
the Moomins
become very
popular there.
1970
The last
Moomin story,
Moominvalley
in November, is
published.
1974
1977
The Moomin
The Dangerous
Opera premieres Journey is
in Helsinki.
published.
1979
Film Polski
releases
a Moomin
themed puppet
animation in
Poland.
1987
Moominvalley
opens at the
Tampere Art
Museum.
1990
Telecable
produces 104
half-hour
Moomin
animations.
1993
The theme park
Moominworld
opens its doors
in Naantali,
Finland.
2001
Tove Jansson
passes away.
2006
Canadian
publisher Drawn
Quarterly
publishes the
renewed Moomin
comic strip in
English.
2010
British children's
publisher Puffin
publishes a
series of Moomin
picture, activity
and storybooks.
2014
To celebrate
the centenary
of Tove Jansson,
events are
arranged
worldwide
throughout
the year.
2014
The movie
Moomins
on the Riviera
is released.
This booklet is based on the 1954 original “Introduction to the Moomins”
booklet published in the UK.
Designed by Bond Creative Agency.
© Moomin Characters ™
“I hope you found this
booklet immoominating!”