For more than five years, I have been reading to my son Jack Raven an ample selection of children's literature. In this new series of posts I'll be introducing the artists and writers that rank among his favourites.We are currently working through Tove Jansson's Moomin books which are full of wonder, wisdom and invention. Nine books were originally released in Swedish between 1945 and 1970 as well as five picture books and a series of comics written and illustrated by Jansson. The Moomins are a family of furry, hippo-like creatures who have a somwhat Bohemian outlook on life.
What I find so compelling about these stories are the strong characterisations and honesty all set within a world full of challenges and frights that remains benign without being banal. For my son, it's quick pace and curiosities keep him enthralled, its humour keeps him smiling, and its invention has him thinking.
The publisher Sort Of Books has recently released lovely editions of the picture books The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My and Who Will Comfort Toffle? in the UK. For information about Moomin books where you are, visit The Moomin Trove.
Links:
The Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum
Sort Of Books
The Moomin Trove
Tove Jansson Wiki
Moomin Wiki
Tove Jansson (Guardian)
3 comments:
I just love that first illustration. I'll have to send a link to your post to my father -- he may be interested.
Do you know this site? Not that you would want to read the books on the computer, but it seems to be a great resource:
http://en.childrenslibrary.org/index.shtml
Your father should know Tove Jansson though she isn't Swedish (She's from a Swedish speaking region of Finland)
Thanks for the link.
that's the site in russian bout tove, it has active live: http://tove-jansson.ru
=)
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