Pappan och havet

I first discovered this book at the age of about 12 or 13, already older than the average moomin reader, but having read most of the others. It was obvious that this was no ordinary moomin book, and neither was it strictly a children's book. In fact it is a masterly observation of family dynamics, mid life crises and the human condition, but mixed with a mysterious and fantastic magic that leads to spine tingling excitement... Read Full Review

Recently I had a conversation about books which affected us as children. I had the idea of returning to many of them to see if they still had value to an adult. My co-conspirator was European, and couldn't say enough about Tove Jansson, who, for many years, wrote the Moomin series. These are charming tales about a curious family of creatures. They entertain and teach at a deeper level than the cautionary tales that were... Read Full Review

When I was seven, already a voracious reader, my father would bring home a book for me each time he returned from business trips.After devouring all the Nancy Drew, Paddington the Bear and Black Stallion books from the airport bookstore, My father brought home this strange little story, and began my lifelong yearning for moominland. I still have all the original copies of each book, well loved and tattered. Tove Jansson's... Read Full Review

As a children's librarian, I often try to get kids interested in the wonderful Moominbooks. However, only certain children seem to catch on, while many do not. I'm not quite sure why this is so. The Moomins originated in Finland, where perhaps kids are more attuned to nature and the world around them, to taking time for subtleties, thinking outside the box, and quiet wit; instead of being bombarded by extra stimuli all... Read Full Review

This is the most sweet and gentle Moominbook. Moominpappa takes the family to a lonely island where it is sometimes dark and scary but also there are beautiful dancing sea horses and secret places in the woods. Little My is the funnest person who never gets bothered about anything even red ants. My favorite part is Moomintroll meeting the Groke at night. The Groke seems very scary but maybe there is a soft spot inside where... Read Full Review