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
I Knew
nothing
proud of being the head of the family. He enjoys
philosophical thinking and always wants to be on
the scene whenever something surprising happens
but I
in Moominvalley. Moominpappa considers himself to believed
be very knowledgeable and an expert in many fields, a lot.
and is always willing to offer advice to others.
Moominmamma
Moominmamma is a calm and NO DISHES TO
collected mother who never lets little WASH TODAY.
things get on her nerves. She ensures PERHAPS
that the Moominhouse is always I WILL NEVER
a safe and loving place – both for EVER HAVE TO
her family and for visitors. WASH THEM
AGAIN.
Snorkmaiden
Snorkmaiden is Moomintroll's friend NOW REMEMBER!
and playmate. They like each other a SELF-CONFIDENT,
lot and love spending time together. HAPPY,
Snorkmaiden is happy and energetic, NONCHALANT.
although her habit of suddenly ONE MUST PRETEND
changing her mind can sometimes AT TIMES.
be irritating.
Sniff
Sniff is not a Moomin, but he lives I’m never
in the Moominhouse just like Little afraid.
My. Although he's eager to join in But I think
with whatever the Moomins are up the view is
to, he's too timid to do anything better from
dangerous. He's very good-natured here.
though sometimes a little cowardly.
Little My
Little My lives with the Moomins in
Hope for
the best and
the Moominhouse, even though she isn’t
related to them. Little My is brave and
fearless, and is eager to join the Moomins
prepare for
the worst.
on their adventures. Sometimes she really
seems to love small catastrophes.
Snufkin
Snufkin is a philosophical vagabond
One can never
be truly free
who wanders the world fishing and
playing the harmonica. He carries
everything he needs in his backpack,
if one admires
others
as he believes that having too much
stuff makes life overly complicated.
too much.
Mymble
Mymble is Little My's sister and
You seem to be
yourself again.
Snufkin’s half sister. Their mother
is also called Mymble, but being a
helpful big sister, Mymble soon
Actually, you’re
nicer that way.
took responsibility for looking
after all her younger siblings.
Too-ticky
Too-Ticky is a dear friend of
the Moomin family. She is a
All things are so
wise woman who knows how to very uncertain.
solve all sorts of dilemmas in a
And that’s exactly
what makes me feel
sensible and practical way.

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 The Groke is the terror of everyone.
ugly and convincing She is so cold that frost appears on
villain. The Moomin the ground when she soundlessly
family is now and shuffles along. The Groke is mostly
then in contact heard howling from a distance.
with him and The Moomin family is sometimes
actually takes scared of her, but she
a little pride in is also considered to
being friends with give a little bit of zest
a real villain. 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 illustrator and author, Jansson expanded
Jansson (1914–2001) became one of the and transformed her expression tirelessly
key artists in Finnish visual art during the up to the last years of her life. Her works
postwar golden age of modernism. are a reflection of an entire life philosophy,
eliciting enthusiastic responses from
Like her entire generation, Jansson
children and adults alike in all countries
wanted to create art on her own terms,
where her works are known.
but only few have accomplished this
with such originality. As a visual artist,
 MAYBE MY PASSION IS NOTHING SPECIAL,
BUT AT LEAST IT’s MINE.
Jansson's immense international success You can find more information about
made her one of the best-known Finnish the Moomins and Tove Jansson
artists in the world. The year 2014 marked online at:
Jansson's 100th anniversary. We hope the
www.moomin.com
work of this well-loved artist will continue
www.tovejansson.com
to inspire aspiring artists as they strive
towards new accomplishments.
70 years of moomins

1945 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1954 1957

The Moomins The second Finn Family The Exploits of The Book about The Evening Moomin- Moominland
and the Great book, Comet In Moomintroll Moomin­pappa Moomin, Mymble News starts summer Midwinter is
Flood, the first Moominland, is is published. is published. and Little My, to publish the Madness is published.
Moomin story, published. the first Moomin Moomin comic published.
is published. picture book is strip.
published.
1960 1962 1965 1969 1970 1974 1977 1979
Who Will Tales from Moominpappa Fuji TV Zuiyo The last The Moomin The Dangerous Film Polski
Comfort Toffle, Moomin Valley at Sea is produces an Moomin story, Opera premieres Journey is releases
the second is published. published. animated Moominvalley in Helsinki. published. a Moomin
Moomin Moomin series in November, is themed puppet
picture book, in Japan, published. animation in
is published. the Moomins Poland.
become very
popular there.
1987 1990 1993 2001 2006 2010 2014 2014
Moominvalley Telecable The theme park Tove Jansson Canadian British children's To celebrate The movie
opens at the produces 104 Moominworld passes away. publisher Drawn publisher Puffin the centenary Moomins
Tampere Art half-hour opens its doors Quarterly publishes a of Tove Jansson, on the Riviera
Museum. Moomin in Naantali, publishes the series of Moomin events are is released.
animations. Finland. renewed Moomin picture, activity arranged
comic strip in and storybooks. worldwide
English. throughout
the year.
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!”