FAQs about the Moomin stories

Who are the Moomins?

The members of the Moomin family are central characters in a series of books and comics by Tove Jansson, a Swedish-speaking illustrator and writer from Finland. The Moomins are white and roundish trolls with large snouts, who live in Moominvalley.

Who created the Moomins?

Tove Jansson, a Swedish-speaking illustrator, writer and painter from Finland.

Are Moomins hippos?

No. Moomins are sometimes mistaken for hippos because of a slight physical resemblance, but they are their own “species” of white, roundish trolls.

Are the Moomins Finnish or Swedish?

The Moomins were created by Tove Jansson, who was a Swedish-speaking Finn. She was born in Finland, but her first language was Swedish, and the original Moomin books were first published in Swedish.

When were the Moomins created? 

The first Moomin book was published in 1945, but the Moomins’ creator, Tove Jansson, included an early form of Moomintroll in some of her illustrations and paintings as early as 1935.

Who is the main Moomin character?

The Moomin family members, including Moomintroll, Moominmamma and Moominpappa, are the central characters in the Moomin stories. They are accompanied by their friends and the many creatures of Moominvalley and its surroundings – such as Snorkmaiden, Snufkin, Sniff, Little My, Hemulen, Stinky, and the Groke.

What are the Moomins based on?

Tove Jansson created the Moomins from her imagination, but as with most artists, she drew a lot of inspiration from her own life, family and what was going on in the world. For example, the first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), can be seen as a reflection of how Tove was influenced by the ongoing World War II.

What is a Moomin called in Finnish or Swedish?

A Moomin in Finnish is “muumi”. A Moomin in Swedish is “mumintroll”. See here what “Moomin” is in other languages.

FAQs about Tove Jansson

When was Tove Jansson born?

9th August 1914.

In what language did Tove Jansson write?

In Swedish. Tove Jansson was a Swedish-speaking Finn. Her work has been translated into around 60 languages.

Where did Tove Jansson live?

Tove Jansson was born in Helsinki and lived much of her life there. She spent her childhood summers in the archipelago of Sweden, and her youth and adult summers in the archipelago of Pellinge, Finland. From the 1960s, her summers were spent together with her life partner Tuulikki Pietilä on their remote island Klovharun in Pellinge. She also studied in Stockholm and Paris, and travelling was always a big part of her life.

What else did Tove Jansson do?

When Tove Jansson published the first Moomin book, she was already a known artist. Besides the Moomin books, she wrote 12 novels and short stories, though writing was always considered more of her hobby – she was primarily a visual artist. During her career, she created a variety of paintings, public works and graphics.

Is Tove Jansson’s studio open to the public?

No. You can visit outside the building of Tove Jansson’s studio. The wall has a memorial plaque that features Tove Jansson’s face as a young girl, sculpted by her father Viktor Jansson. Go here for a Google map route of Tove Jansson sites in Helsinki.

FAQs about the Moomin books

How many Moomin books are there?

There are a total of eight Moomin novels, though this excludes the first book, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), which is considered more a prelude to the official novels due to differences in style and content. In addition to these, there are three picture books and comics.

What are the original Moomin books?

The series of eight novels are considered the “original” Moomin books. These are Comet in Moominland (1946), Finn Family Moomintroll (1948), Memoirs of Moominpappa (1950), Moominsummer Madness (1954), Moominland Midwinter (1957), Tales from Moominvalley (1962), Moominpappa at Sea (1965), and Moominvalley in November (1970). The first book The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945) is excluded from this, as it’s considered a prelude to the series.

When was the first Moomin book published?

In 1945 (The Moomins and the Great Flood). Even though this is the first published Moomin story, its position within the array of the Moomin books is slightly complex, and it’s considered more a prelude, instead of being part of the official novel series.

In which order should I read the Moomin books?

It would be sensible to read the Moomin books in the order they were published. The very first book The Moomins and the Great Flood – though not considered a part of the official novel series – introduces the Moomin family and explains how they found Moominvalley, and therefore is a good book to read first. However, the timelines between the novels are vague and some characters disappear and reappear along the way, so there is space for personal preferences in the reading order of the Moomin books.

Which Moomin books are best for adults?

The Moomin novels are filled with philosophy and metaphors that give them deeper meaning, which is why they’re all popular amongst adults. Themes of love and family, and even influences from the war, come across strongly in the stories. Moominpappa at Sea (1965) especially is often recommended for grown readers; it can be seen as a reflection of finding one’s true nature.

Which Moomin books are best for kids?

The Moomin stories introduce many quirky characters and adventures, which make them great for children. The original picture books, The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My (1952), Who Will Comfort Toffle (1960), and The Dangerous Journey (1977) are probably more entertaining for young children than the original novels. There are also plenty of Moomin book adaptations for young children and a new Moominvalley book series.

Where can I buy Moomin books?

In the official Moomin Shops around the world, the global Moomin Shop online, as well as book stores and retailers around the world.

How many languages have the Moomin books been translated into?

60 languages so far. The original Moomin books were written in Swedish.

Can I listen to the Moomin books as audio books?

Yes, but only in Swedish (Spotify, Storytel and Apple Music).

FAQs about the Moomin comics

Who created the Moomin comics?

Tove Jansson and her brother Lars Jansson. At first, Lars helped Tove with translation but later started helping her with the scripts, eventually taking over the creation of the comics entirely.

When did Lars Jansson start creating the Moomin comics?

The first comic created solely by Lars Jansson was published in 1960 (#22 Moomin’s lamp). Before that, he first helped Tove by translating texts into English and then writing scripts. Tove drew and wrote her last comic strip in 1959.

Where were the Moomin comics published?

Tove Jansson’s first ever Moomin comic strip appeared in the Swedish newspaper Ny Tid in 1947. In 1954, the Moomin comics were introduced internationally in the London newspaper The Evenings News. The comic strips have since also been published as a series of ten comic books.

When did the first Moomin comic come out?

In 1954, if the first Moomin comic published as part of the series of comics that Tove and Lars Jansson created for The Evening News is considered the first. Tove’s first ever Moomin comic strip, however, was Mumintrollet och jordens undergång, published in a Swedish newspaper in 1947.

How many Moomin comic books are there?

Ten. The series of Moomin comic books by Tove and/or Lars Jansson compile all the Moomin comic strips created by the siblings.

FAQs about the Moomin TV series, movies & shows

Where can I watch the original Moomins?

All English episodes of the ‘90s series The Moomins can be found on the Moomins Youtube channel, though due to copyrights, they’re not available to watch in every country. Depending on where you live and the language you’re looking for, you might be able to find the series on local streaming platforms.

Where can I watch the Moominvalley series?

On several streaming platforms, such as Sky, Apple TV, Prime Video, or other local services, depending on your country. In Finland, Moominvalley is available in Yle Areena.

Where can I watch the Comet in Moominland movie?

A new, technically improved version was released in the cinemas in Finland and Sweden in September 2023. The film will be available on local streaming services in Finland (C More and MTV), but there have been no announcements about availability in other languages and countries.

Is there a Moomin theatre show?

The first Moomins theatre show premiered at the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki, Finland, in 1949. Since then, there have been several local and international Moomin theatre shows. Go here to find where you can see the Moomins on stage this year.

Is there a Moomin opera?

Not at the moment. The Moomin Opera premiered at the Finnish National Opera in 1974 and was shown 34 times.

Is there a Moomin ballet?

Not at the moment. The Moomin and the Comet ballet premiered at the Finnish National Opera in 2015 and was brought back for a second season in 2016. Another Moomin ballet, Moomin and the Magician’s Hat, went on to tour Japan in 2017. 

FAQs about the Moomin shops and products

Can I order Moomin products online?

Yes, there are several official Moomin Shops online:
Moomin Shop Worldwide / Moomin Shop UK / Moomin Shop Norway / Moomin Shop Japan / Moomin Shop Hong Kong / Moomin Shop Korea

Where are the Moomin shops located?

There are several official Moomin Shops around the world, from Finland and Norway to the UK, Japan and Hong Kong.

Where can I buy Moomin mugs?

In the Moomin stores, the Moomin Shop online, and many Moomin Arabia resellers around the world. Go here for frequently asked questions about Moomin mugs.

Who makes Moomin mugs?

Moomin Arabia, a Finnish ceramics and homeware brand, have been making the popular Moomin mugs since the ‘90s.

Can I get a discount at the Moomin Shop?

You can join the Moomin Fanclub to get 10% off your first purchase. By joining this mailing list, you’ll also take part in a monthly giveaway of Moomin gift cards, and be the first to hear about new launches and early-bird offers.

FAQs about Moomin locations

Is there a Moomin Café?

Yes, several around the world. You can find the first Moomin-branded café, Moomin Coffee, at the Helsinki Airport, as well as Moomin Cafés in different locations in Asia.

Are there any Moomin theme parks?

Yes, currently three. The original Moomin theme park, Moominworld, was opened in 1994 in Naantali, Finland, and still opens for a summer season every year. In 2019, another theme park, Moominvalley Park, was opened in Hanno City, Japan. There is also a Moomin Ice Cave that is open for about half a year annually in Leppävirta, Finland.

Where is Moominworld?

In Naantali, Finland. Go here for a guide to Moominworld.

Where is Moominvalley Park? 

In Hanno City, Japan, about 45 minutes from Tokyo. Go here for a guide to Moominvalley Park.

What Moomin things can I find in Finland?

As the birth place of Tove Jansson, Finland is host to several locations and experiences inspired by the Moomins. From the world’s only Moomin museum and the first Moomin theme park to the Finnish archipelago that inspired the creation of Moominvalley, go here to explore a Moomin fan’s guide to Finland.

What Moomin things can I find in Japan?

There are several Moomin shops, cafés, pop-ups and a large theme park, Moominvalley Park, in Japan. Go here for all Moomin locations.

FAQs about the Moomins brand

Are the Moomins copyrighted?

Yes, the Moomins are protected by copyright. The Moomin license is owned and supervised by Moomin Characters Oy Ltd.

Is there a Moomins company?

Yes, Moomin Characters Oy Ltd is the company that owns and supervises the Moomin license. The company was originally founded by Tove Jansson and her brother Lars Jansson in the 1950s, and is still run by family members today.

Where is the Moomins office based?

In Helsinki, Finland (Moomin Characters Oy Ltd).

Who works at the Moomins?

Moomin Characters Oy Ltd was originally founded by Tove and Lars Jansson, and is still run by family members. The company has 25+ employees.

Why are the Moomins so popular?

The Moomin stories and their magical adventures are naturally entertaining for children, but they’re known to have a deeper meaning with a wide variety of character personalities that makes them wonderful stories for adults also. Themes of community, family, inclusion and acceptance speak to many fans around the world.

Why are the Moomins so popular in Japan? 

The Moomins were translated into Japanese already in the 1960s, and there have been two Japanese Moomin animated drama series (though the first one wasn’t approved by Tove Jansson). The key themes and values in the Moomin stories translate well worldwide.

Where can I follow the Moomins on social media?

You can follow the Moomins (@moominofficial) on all major social media platforms. Go here for a full list of Moomin channels.

Can I subscribe to Moomin content?

Yes. To make sure you never miss the latest Moomin content, keep an eye on the frequently updated Moomin website and social media channels. If you want to be the first to hear about important events and launches, and join a monthly Moomin gift card raffle, join the Moomin Fanclub.