The popularity of the Moomins has reached unprecedented heights.
Now, 75 years later, the origin of the Moomins reveals the reasons behind their enduring charm.
On the anniversary of Tove Jansson’s debut, “The Moomins and the Great Flood,” born during wartime, we reflect on her works and ponder why they continue to be beloved.
Even if you’re not familiar with Tove Jansson’s comics, adored worldwide, you surely know the Moomins. Like iconic characters such as Winnie the Pooh and Peanuts, you’ve likely seen these round, upright creatures with a mix of bear and horse features on book covers, cards, bed sheets, and television, radiating kindness with curious eyes. But if you’re reading this, chances are you know more about them – Moomintroll, Moominmamma, Moominpappa. The Moomin family resides in the whimsical and tranquil Moominvalley, living alongside other creatures like Hattifatteners, Mymbles, and Whompers.
Tove Jansson left behind numerous works, including paintings, novels, and children’s books, but it’s her Moomin creations that have captivated audiences worldwide. While Moominvalley sometimes reflects global dangers, more often than not, it offers an optimistic natural world and a morally grounded universe. This serves as a comforting support for those experiencing the overwhelming uncertainties of the real world.
It’s not surprising considering Tove Jansson’s background as a Finnish artist with a sculptor father and an illustrator mother. When she first conceived the Moomins, she was searching for a remedy. Despite briefly studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, she was disappointed with its “superficial” approach, dropped out, and received poor reviews for her first art exhibition. When World War II began at the age of 25, it marked a period of compounded misfortune – not only did her brother not return from the war, but there was also anxiety about the survival of her own creativity amid the war.
The Moomin characters emerged when, as she once wrote, “I was feeling depressed, frightened of bombings, wanting to escape from dark thoughts. That’s when the Moomin characters came.”
By the end of the war, convinced by a friend, she published a book collecting Moomin drawings and stories, releasing “The Moomins and the Great Flood” in 1945. This marked the beginning of Jansson’s career, with daily comic strips commissioned soon after. In the mid-1950s, the comic strip was published in over 100 newspapers worldwide, and the Moomin boom (“muumibuumi” in Finnish) began.
© Moomin Characters TM
This year marks the 75th anniversary of “The Moomins and the Great Flood,” yet Jansson’s works are more popular than ever. Beyond Moomin theme parks and museums, the books are published in 50 languages, continuing to be cherished globally. Despite the last Moomin illustration being created in 1975 and Jansson passing away in 2001, the essence of the Moomins remains largely unchanged.
One significant reason is that characters are not drawn by anyone outside the Jansson family. Lucy Wyzman, Puffin Books’ Design Manager, maintains the original spirit of the Moomins while aiming to attract younger readers. However, no one else draws the characters.
“All the artwork we’re creating now is, in fact, drawn by Tove herself. Each time we make a new book, we use Tove’s beautiful drawings from her extensive catalog of monochrome cartoon strips. It’s a bit like collage, finding the poses and content needed for the story, cutting them out, composing the illustrations, and then coloring them.”
In the baby-friendly “Words Tummy Time Concertina Book,” they use slightly brighter colors for younger age groups, but Wyzman emphasizes, “It’s all Tove’s own line work. All the line work is drawn by Tove. It takes time, but it’s a rewarding job.”
The Jansson couple has long cherished the Moomins. Tove, famous for turning down a commercial offer from Walt Disney, and with her brother Lars temporarily taking over the Moomins in the 1970s, now her niece Sofia manages the artistic aspects. However, it all revolves around Tove’s original drawings.
“All of Tove’s illustrations are hers, so creative ideas for new stories are guided by what actual works are available. Looking at Tove’s cartoon strips and paperback illustrations and thinking about what new stories can be created is incredibly exciting.”
And these stories, much like what Tove sought in the 1930s and 40s, provide an escape from the real world. Olivia Edwards, Puffin’s Commissioning Editor, when asked about the enduring value of the Moomins in an increasingly uncertain world, points out that the peace and natural characteristics of Moominvalley remain as captivating as ever.
“Moomins are a wonderful escape but also symbolize family, friendship, tolerance, respect for nature, love, and bravery. Tove’s stories provide a great sense of reassurance because, when we face life’s difficulties, they remind us all of the wonderful kindness, compassion, resilience, and love that we are all capable of.”
“Since 1945, the Moomins have come a long way. However, their strong values and Tove’s wonderful artwork remain unchanged, keeping the Moomins at the heart of something special.”
