The Curious and Wonderful History of the Moomins

by YASS family member Amy Sinar, age 12

When most people think of trolls, they picture something grumpy and living under a bridge. But the Moomins are nothing like that. They’re white, soft, hippo-shaped creatures (though they’re technically trolls), and they’ve been the stars of some of the most imaginative and heartfelt stories ever written. I first discovered them when I was younger, and even now, I still go back to their world whenever I need a bit of comfort – or adventure.

The Moomins were created by Finnish-Swedish author and illustrator Tove Jansson in the middle of World War II. At a time when the world was full of fear and uncertainty, she began sketching strange little creatures as an escape from reality. These early ideas eventually became her first book, The Moomins and the Great Flood, published in 1945.  That means that 2025 is the 80th anniversary of Moomins.  Happy birthday Moomins!  The first book tells the story of Moomintroll and his mother, Moominmamma, as they search for the missing Moominpappa. The book didn’t become an instant hit, but it laid the foundation for what would become a beloved series.

The following books, like Comet in Moominland and Finn Family Moomintroll, began to attract more attention. Tove’s stories were a mixture of cosy, whimsical adventure and something deeper – reflections on love, independence, fear, and belonging. My personal favourite is Moominsummer Madness, where the Moomins get caught up in a flood and end up living in a floating theatre. It’s chaotic in the best way, and full of oddball characters like Little My – small, fierce, and entirely unapologetic.

The Moomins live in Moominvalley, a peaceful place surrounded by nature and mystery. It’s inhabited by creatures with names like Snorkmaiden, Too-Ticky, the Hattifatteners, and the Groke – a cold, ghostly figure who seems frightening but is actually very lonely. That’s something I’ve always admired about Jansson’s writing: her ability to show that fear, sadness, and even anger are all part of being alive. The stories don’t shy away from darkness, but they handle it gently.

Over time, the Moomins became famous around the world. There were comic strips, theatre productions, a 1990s animated series, and more recently, the beautifully made Moominvalley series with modern animation and well-known voice actors. In Finland, where Tove Jansson is considered a national treasure, there’s even a theme park called Moominworld, and people collect Moomin mugs like gold.

But the Moomins aren’t just cute characters – they represent something important. They teach us to be kind to others, to appreciate nature, to welcome difference, and to understand that it’s okay to be unsure of yourself sometimes. 

So whether you’re young, old, or somewhere in between, I really recommend giving the Moomins a try. You might find more of yourself in Moominvalley than you expect.

If you would like to find out more about the Moomins and their connections to Nordic mythology, why not join YASS for an evening talk with Dr Steve Nash on 16th October starting at 1900 at the Norwegian Study Centre, University of York.