Who are your favourite Moomin characters? Do you identify yourself with one of them more than the others? Read further to find out what the different Moomin characters are like - and click further to read the in-depth introductions to each character!
Moomintroll is…
😍 kind, caring and curious, a great lover of nature and a true friend.
😊 inclined to look for the positives in any situation and to embrace every experience that presents itself, making him a lot of fun to spend time with!
🤝 keen to make friends with everybody he meets – in a sense, even the Groke!
You might also want to know that his:
- favourite season is spring. Find out why!
- very best friend is Snufkin, and he has a particular affection for Snorkmaiden. His only direct relatives are Moominmamma and Moominpappa, but Sniff and Little My have essentially been adopted into the family, and there are all sorts of guests who are welcome to stay for as long as they wish.
- first Moomin book appearance happens in The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945). He features in every subsequent book except for Moominvalley in November (1970).
Find out more:
Little My is…
⚡️ fiery and independent, and known for her sharp tongue, quick temper and mischievous nature.
💡 believe it or not – Snufkin’s half-sister! To find out who else is her relative, click here!
🔍 so small that she fits easily in Snufkin’s pocket and can hide in a milk jug.
You might also want to know that:
- Little My can be very blunt and sometimes tells others things that they don’t want to hear, but she is also always willing to offer solutions to others’ problems. Find some lovely examples here!
- If you want to get the first glimpse of Little My in the Moomin stories, find your way to the book The Exploits of Moominpappa (1950).
- She was born on Midsummer night. Psst – discover the importance of midsummer in Tove Jansson’s life and books with an exclusive interview with Sophia Jansson on family traditions here.
Find out more:
Snufkin is…
🏕 a philosopher and a wanderer who enjoys the simple things in life – fishing, playing his harmonica and walking alone at night.
💭 a free spirit with no interest in owning things. He travels very lightly, preferring to keep his head full of thoughts and his hands free.
😌 widely admired for his quiet confidence and self-belief.
You might also want to know that:
- Snufkin’s father was the Joxter, a dear friend of Moominpappa’s, and his mother is the Mymble – which means that Little My and the younger Mymble and all the other children of the Mymble are his half-siblings.
- If you want to read Snufkin’s first appearance in the Moomin books, pick up Comet in Moominland (1946).
- Are you like Snufkin? Take this quiz to find out!
- You can find Snufkin-themed products here!
- Psst..! There is an adventure game called Snufkin – Melody of Moominvalley currently in the making!
Discover more:
Moominmamma is…
❤️ the gentle and nurturing heart of the Moomin family: she is known for taking particular care of other others’ emotions, knowing how important it is to feel respected and loved and free to be oneself.
😌 very patient – she knows that sometimes it takes a terribly long time before things sort themselves out, but that they always do.
⚡️ rebellious and has a great love of fun! Read more here.
You might also want to know that:
- Moominmamma loves nature, and the garden is her pride and joy.
- Have you ever noticed that in her first appearances in the Moomin stories, Moominmamma didn’t wear an apron? There is a reason why Tove Jansson added an apron to her design; read this article to find out what it is.
Find out more:
Moominpappa is…
🗺 a restless sort, who occasionally longs for adventure or for something new and exciting to happen – but he is an honourable Moomin who always tries to fulfil his duties.
💭 a great thinker, a talented storyteller and a fearless traveller – according to himself, and his family are always happy to indulge him!
💡 a resourceful character who can come up with a solution for most problems.
You might also want to know that:
- Moominpappa’s favourite time of day is the evening, and this also shows in where his bedroom in the Moominhouse is placed. Find out more here!
- Moominpappa at Sea can be read as a story about finding one’s true nature – with the help of nature.
Find out more:
Snorkmaiden is…
🎨 a Snork, a type of creature that looks very similar to a Moomintroll but with one difference: they can change colour according to their emotions.
💭 a creative, resourceful and excitable dreamer whose imagination comes in handy on adventures.
❤️ kind and thoughtful towards others.
You might also want to know that:
- Snorkmaiden first appears in Comet in Moominland (1946) – read here how she is introduced to the stories!
- Read here how to spend Midsummer in Snorkmaiden style! It has to do with seeing the future…
- It is true that Snorkmaiden can appear a touch vain on occasion, but she shouldn’t be underestimated.
Read further on Snorkmaiden:
Sniff is…
👦 something of a younger sibling to Moomintroll, having been adopted by the Moomin family at an early age.
🙈 rather timid so he won’t do anything dangerous and, being the youngest, he can get tired and fed-up when things get difficult…
💎 motivated by things – especially shiny and sparkly things, like pearls and diamonds. He can usually also put his fears aside if there is a chance of finding treasure.
You might also want to know that:
- Sniff first appears in The Moomins and the Great Flood, as he has been lost by his parents, The Muddler and The Fuzzy. Luckily, he is found by Moominmamma and Moomintroll!
- Sniff is terrified of the sea, which is unusual in Moominvalley. He even refuses to join Moomintroll diving for pearls. This fear of the water might also explain why he does not appear in Moominpappa at Sea (1965).
- You can find Sniff-themed Moomin products here.
Read more:
Too-ticky is…
🔨 pragmatic and compassionate, two things which the Moomin family value greatly in their neighbour.
💙 compassionate for all living things, from foolish squirrels right up to the Groke. She isn’t sentimental, though.
🎶 very musical and especially likes to sing songs that she’s made up herself. Read about one example here.
You might also want to know that:
- The character of Too-ticky is inspired by – and named after – Tove Jansson’s partner, Tuulikki Pietilä.
- Unlike the Moomin family, Too-ticky loves the cold! She can even sense it coming with her nose. Read more here!
- She lives modestly and in harmony with the world around her, content in her own company but also willing to help any creature in need.
Read more:
Hattifatteners are…
🐾 mysterious creatures whose only motivation in life is to keep moving towards the horizon…
🍄 pale grey-white in colour and look something like mushroom stalks with paws that extend directly from their trunks.
⚡ rarely harmful to anyone, but they can give a nasty electric shock (they become charged up with electricity during thunderstorms).
You might also want to know that:
- Hattifatteners grow from little white seeds – but only if the seeds are sown on Midsummer’s Eve.
- This Hattifatteners night light is in a class of its’ own when it comes to bringing a touch of Moomin stories to your home! Check out more Hattifatteners products here!
- Hattifatteners don’t eat or sleep.
Find out more:
Mymble is…
✨ a carefree spirit! From a young age, she was often left in charge of her very many siblings (one of them is Little My!), but that responsibility was too much for her.
📚 a natural storyteller. Mymble frequently tells tall tales – but only to entertain herself…
💔 unlucky in love, usually because the object of her affection is an unsuitable sort, for example, a pirate or a fan of winter sports.
You might also want to know that:
- Mymble’s mother is also known as the Mymble, which can be a little confusing at times!
- Snufkin is Mymble’s half-brother.
- She is is one of the main characters in the picture book The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My (1952).
Read more about Mymble:
The Groke is…
😨 a cold and solitary creature who is feared by most residents of Moominvalley.
🕯️ loneliness defined. This might explain why she always tries to draw near warmth and light (which always eludes her, so her lonely roaming continues).
📚 featured most prominently in Moominpappa at Sea (1965), in case you want to understand her better.
You might also want to know that:
- Not much is known about her, as she speaks very little – only crying or growling when unhappy and giving one-word answers when she must.
- Even though almost all the residents of Moominvalley are afraid of the Groke, at the same time, they sense that she must be very lonely.
- There are not that many The Groke products available, but the few wonderful rarities you will find for example here!
Learn more about The Groke:
Stinky is…
💥 a small, irate creature who is often causing trouble for the other residents of Moominvalley.
🗯️ pleased to have a reputation as a crook, although his criminal plans are rarely as successful as he’d like them to be…
💰 willing to help others out from time to time, but only if there’s profit or pleasure to be had in it for himself.
You might also want to know that:
- The Moomin family are rather fond of him. Particularly Moominmamma, who has a soft spot for the criminal.
- Stinky will eat absolutely anything! He much prefers chomping on bits of building and furniture to pancakes or ice cream.
- Stinky first appears in the first Moomin comic strip, ‘Moomin and the Brigands’ (1954).
Hemulens are…
👮 great lovers of order and authority, so hemulens often do well in serious roles as park wardens, policemen, and caregivers.
🔍 prone to obsess over collecting things (whether that be plants, stamps or insects). The trouble only comes when they have collected every last specimen available…
👃 almost always wearing dresses, and look a little like Moomintrolls in that they have similarly large noses, but they are slightly taller and slimmer, with no ears and hair that grows in tufts.
You might also want to know that:
- Hemulens first appear already in the first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945).
- Snufkin’s arch-enemy is a Hemulen park keeper who put up signs all over the park saying things like ‘DO NOT SIT ON THE GRASS’ and ‘LAUGHING STRICTLY PROHIBITED’.
- They particularly like positions that come with uniforms, so it’s no surprise that the Hemulic Voluntary Brass Band has so many members.
Learn more about the Hemulens:
Fillyjonks are…
🧹 obsessed with keeping their homes spotlessly clean!
🪲 horrified by insects of all sorts – worms, caterpillars, moths, and especially nasty carpet beetles who chomp through nice fillyjonk clothes with their little jaws.
😠 tall with long snouts, and they all sport the same worried facial expression – it’s unavoidable when they have so much to be anxious about…
You might also want to know that:
- Mrs Fillyjonk is the most well-known fillyjonk in Moominvalley.
- Fillyjonks’ obsession with cleanliness and order has its downsides – there’s not much time for fun when all their chores are done. It can also result in them being a little superior, knowing their home is cleaner than anyone else’s and their children are better behaved.
- Fillyjonks actually appear in quite many Moomin books, in main roles too – and there is a short story about ‘The Fillyjonk Who Believed in Disasters’ in Tales from Moominvalley (1963). Find out more here!
The Groke, a much-misunderstood creature
Not much is known about the Groke, as she speaks very little. But you might not know all this about this solitary creature!
Moomin personality quiz – Which Moomin character are you?
We’ve made a Moomin personality quiz that reveals which Moomin character you are. The quiz is available in English, Finnish and Swedish!
Snufkin, the wise adventurer
Snufkin is a philosopher and a wanderer who enjoys the simple things in life – fishing, playing his harmonica and walking alone at night.
Moomintroll, a brave and loyal friend
Moomintroll is kind, caring and curious, a great lover of nature and a true friend. Read more to learn little-known facts about him!
Too-ticky, a practical problem-solver
Too-ticky doesn’t want to tell others how to live, as she believes it’s best for everyone to learn for themselves through experience.
The Hattifatteners, the restless wanderers of Moominvalley
Hattifatteners smell of burned-out thunderclaps. This is probably because they become charged up with electricity during thunderstorms.
Fillyjonks, anxious sticklers for cleanliness and routine
Fillyjonks like routine and discipline, and panic when things get muddled. Mrs. Fillyjonk is the most well-known fillyjonk in Moominvalley.
Moominmamma, a calm and comforting caregiver
Moominmamma is the gentle and nurturing heart of the Moomin family, with a special skill for ensuring everyone feels welcome to be themselves.
Little My, small but fierce
Little My loves drama and adventure and is ready for any situation that comes her way! Did you know all this about her? ↓
Moominpappa, an adventure-loving father
Moominpappa spends a lot of his time thinking deep thoughts and likes to keep company with others he considers to have great minds…
Hemulens, great lovers of rules and responsibility
Hemulens’ desire to follow rules means they are rather bossy and not necessarily the nicest to be around – but they might surprise you!
Stinky, a loveable rogue
Stinky is a small creature with a fuzzy body and a penchant for causing trouble in Moominvalley. Even if he is a rogue, he is still beloved.
Mymble, an easy-going teller of tall tales
Did you know that Mymble is Snufkin’s half-sister? And do you know what her party trick is? Read to find out!
Sniff, a cautious but enthusiastic companion
Sniff is good-natured, loyal, excitable, and eager to join in any mission, but his taste for adventure is not often matched by his bravery…
Snorkmaiden, an excitable dreamer
Snorkmaiden is a creative and excitable dreamer whose imagination comes in handy on adventures. Do you know what her special talent is?