SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
    • What We Believe
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Announcements
    • Upcoming Presentations
    • Contact The Classroom Bookshelf
  • Book Lists
    • Awards
    • Best of Lists
    • Summer Reading
  • Fiction
    • Novels
    • Fiction Picture Books
    • Fiction Chapter Books
    • Fantasy
    • Comics & Graphic Novels
    • Historical Fiction
    • Traditional Literature
  • Nonfiction
    • Biography & Memoirs
    • Nonfiction Picture Books
    • Nonfiction Chapter Books
    • Fictionalized Biography
  • Poetry
    • Poetry Picture Books
  • Picture Books
    • Fiction Picture Books
    • Nonfiction Picture Books
    • Poetry Picture Books
  • Classroom & Curricular Ideas

December 20, 2010 by Grace Enriquez

The Moomin Books

December 20, 2010 by Grace Enriquez   Leave a Comment

The Moomin Books

Written and illustrated by Tove Jansson

Translated by Elizabeth Portch, Kingsley Hart, and Thomas Warburton

Published by Square Fish, 2010; originally published in the U.S. by Henry Z. Walck, Inc., 1951

Grades 3 and up

#1 Comet in Moominland, ISBN 978-0312608880
#2 Finn Family Moomintroll, ISBN 978-0141328607
#3 Moominpoppa’s Memoirs, ISBN 978-0312625436
#4 Moominsummer Madness, ISBN 978-0312608910
#5 Moominland Midwinter, ISBN 978-0312625412
#6 Tales from Moominvalley, ISBN 978-0312625429
#7 Moominpoppa at Sea, ISBN 978-0312608927
#8 Moominvalley in November, ISBN 978-0312625443

Book Review
This year marked a special 65th anniversary reissue of the Moomin books, the classic chapter book series by Finnish author Tove Jansson. Part hippopotamus, part loveable troll, the Moomins are the gentle, intrepid, and kooky inhabitants of pastoral Moominland. But that doesn’t mean they’re resigned to the simple life. Join young, childlike Moomintroll as he chases both whimsical diversion and adventure alike throughout the series. Among the other residents of Moominvalley are his friends Sniff, Snufkin, and Snork, who loyally accompany Moomintroll on his escapades; Moominmamma and Moominpoppa, Moomintroll’s reliable, understanding, and imaginative parents; and the Snork Maiden, who has Moomintroll’s heart. Together, this colorful cast of characters explores themes of friendship, nature, empathy, and generosity. The books effortlessly balance elements of fantasy, realism, and humor. In one book, the friends discover a top hat that they use as a wastepaper basket—until they realize that anything that goes in the hat comes out as something completely different. In another, they escape a flood by seeking shelter in a theater that happens to float by—of course, sparking their creativity and imagination. The series’ vivid settings, witty dialogue, action-packed plots, and quirky characters will surely enthrall new and returning readers of the series alike. Jansson’s charming black ink illustrations, which were ultimately compiled into a popular comic strip series, are also delightfully interspersed throughout each book. What better way to warm yourself over the holidays with this remarkable eight-book series that celebrates the imaginative spirit of childhood?

Teaching Invitations
  • Setting and Writer’s Craft. Jansson created a rich and vivid landscape for the Moomins to inhabit and explore. Help students identify sections in the series where descriptions of the setting are particularly detailed and investigate how Jansson uses language to make the setting come alive. For example, in Comet in Moominland, the characters need to scale some mountains to reach an observatory. Jansson writes the following:

Damp veils of mist swirled around them. They were dreadfully cold (Moomintroll thought longlingly of his wooly trousers) and surrounded completely by an awful floating emptiness.

What vocabulary choices does she make? How does she use adjectives and adverbs? Have students apply some of these craft skills to pieces of their own writing and share the revisions with a partner or the class.

  • Mapping  Moominvalley. At the beginning of some of the books, Jansson provides a map of Moominvalley and the places the characters visit during their escapades. Activate students’ envisionment skills by having them draw more maps of Moominvalley, especially for the books that do not provide any. Have them mark locations where important plot events occur, and encourage them to fill in the topographical details of the land. Perhaps you can create a map as a whole class that spans the entire series, adding to it as you make your way through the series. Or perhaps they can create 3-D maps or virtual maps online, but make sure students stay accountable to the settings described in the books.
  • Series Inquiry. Series books are ubiquitous in the realm of children’s and young adult literature. While some may find that series books initially seem formulaic and predictable, others are comforted by the familiar characters and plot lines. Begin an inquiry into the Moomin book series with students. How are the various books similar? How are they different? How do the various characters remain the same or perhaps grow and develop as the series continues? What about Jansson’s underlying themes across the series? Once students complete an in-depth exploration of the series as a whole, have them try similar investigations into other classic children’s series (such as the ones listed below in the “Further Explorations” section). For example, some series have the characters and settings that stay the same (such as the Moomins), while others have characters that grow older and settings that evolve. Series inquiries make for great book club and literature circle discussions.
  • Reader’s Theater. Part of what makes the world of the Moomins so memorable are the characters, though Jansson rarely describes their personalities directly. Instead, much of the characterization is revealed through dialogue. Have students study each character’s spoken words, determine how the character is speaking (i.e., with what tone, inflection, or volume), and infer the character’s personality. For example, the Muskrat makes it a point to tell everyone what he feels is unnecessary in life. What do his words say about his outlook on life? Once students feel they have a better grasp on each character’s disposition and motivation, have them perform a reader’s theater version of a part of the book that they especially enjoy.

Critical Literacy

  • Idiomatic Phrases. The appeal of the Moomin characters also comes from the idiomatic expressions they use, such as, “Strike me pink!” and “higgledy-piggledy.” Guide students to study the context in which those idioms are voiced to determine what they mean. Then have students brainstorm the various idioms they hear in everyday life. Help them research the meanings of those idioms, research their origins, and discuss the perspectives and values underlying the expressions. They may be surprised to learn that a seemingly benign and popularly used idiom may have controversial origins.
  • The Question of Classics. Like the Moomin books, many series as well as single works in children’s literature have been deemed classics. But what makes something a “classic” and who says? What characteristics do each of these literary works share that qualify them for the special status? Is it merely that they have stood the test of time, or is there something more to them? If those books were to be published today, rather than when they were initially published, would they have the same appeal? Whose perspectives are missing or misrepresented in some of the classics of children’s literature? What works could be considered modern-day classics, and why? This exploration could culminate in a variety of classroom activities: debates, essays, role-plays, collections of student-designated “classics” in the school or classroom library, etc.
  • Commercialization of Children’s Books. There is a growing concern that children’s literature, especially series books, is becoming more and more commercialized to the detriment of the field. Like the Disney industry, the Moomins have inspired Moominworld theme parks and museums across the world, as well as a merchandising boom across Finland and Japan. But are all the figurines, games, cartoons, clothing, and marketing going too far? Are they taking anything away from the lure and experience of reading the original texts? Watch this video by the Media Education Foundation (http://www.mediaed.org/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=134), read this article (http://www.faqs.org/childhood/Ch-Co/Consumer-Culture.html), or read this one (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/books/19cathy.html) to spark discussion about this issue.

Further Explorations
Online Resources

Official Finnish Moomins Site
http://www.moomin.fi/eng/index.html

Biography about Tove Jansson
http://www.moomin.com/tove/

The Moomin Trove
http://www.moomintrove.com/

Idiom Site
http://www.idiomsite.com/

Read, Write, Think – Idioms
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/idioms/

Consumer Culture and Childhood
http://www.faqs.org/childhood/Ch-Co/Consumer-Culture.html

Media Education Foundation
http://www.mediaed.org

Books
(note the information below is based on the first U.S. printing of each book or series)
Banks, L. R. (1980-1998). The Indian in the cupboard series. New York: Yearling.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • This series describes Omri’s discovery that an old medicine cabinet he got for his birthday brings to life any figurine he puts into it.

Baum, L. F. (1900-1920). Oz series. Chicago: Geo M. Hill Co.

  • Beginning with the famous story of Dorothy’s journey, this series takes readers on various adventures through the Land of Oz.

Jansson, T. (2006-2010). Moomin: The complete Tove Jansson comic strip series. Montreal, Quebec: Drawn & Quarterly.
  • A comic strip compilation of Jansson’s artwork about the whimsical Moomins. 
Lindgren, A. (1950-1959). Pippi Longstocking series. New York: The Viking Press.
  • The escapades of an irreverent, high-spirited, amazingly strong, and ultimately delightful girl. 
Milne, A. A. (1926-1928). Winnie-the-Pooh series. Boston: E.P. Dutton & Company.
  • The amusing and charming misadventures of the beloved teddy bear and his friends.
Norton, M. (1952-1982). The Borrowers series. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc.
  • The popular series about the tiny people who live in the homes of normal-sized people and “borrow” what they need to survive.
Peterson, J. (1967-2002). The Littles series. New York: Scholastic.
  • Another well-loved series about tiny humanoids with mouse-like features who live in the walls of the Bigg family.

Filed under: Fantasy

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments

About Grace Enriquez

Grace is an associate professor of language and literacy at Lesley University. A former English Language Arts teacher, reading specialist, and literacy consultant, she teaches and writes about children’s literature, critical literacies, and literacies and embodiment. Grace is co-author of The Reading Turn-Around and co-editor of Literacies, Learning, and the Body.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

May 2021

Anything for Mom: Shy Willow

by Grace Enriquez

April 2021

Amari and the Night Brothers Celebrates #BlackGirlMagic

by Grace Enriquez

February 2021

Healing and Hope through Storytelling: The 2021 Newbery and APALA Award Winner When You Trap a Tiger

by Grace Enriquez

June 2017

Felix Yz

by Grace Enriquez

October 2016

The Inquisitor's Tale

by Grace Enriquez

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

Sydney Taylor Blog Tour: THE TOWER OF LIFE by Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Abecedarian Movement and Dance: A Q&A with Corinna Luyken About ABC and You and Me!

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Akim Aliu Dreamer | This Week’s Comics

by Lori Henderson

Heavy Medal

What’s Coming in 2023, A Feedback Poll, and Goodbye for Now…

by Steven Engelfried

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Writing Trans Joy in Spite of Everything, a guest post by Edward Underhill

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

A Book 25 Years in the Making: Marla Frazee Visits The Yarn

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

YA and Middle Grade Reads for "Game of Thrones" Fans

YA Anthologies Offer Necessary Representation | Great Books

NCTE Announces 2021 Charlotte Huck and Orbis Pictus Awards

Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards Voting Is Open

22 Audiobooks Inspired by Fairy Tales and Mythology

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023