Tove Jansson

Tove Marika Jansson was a Swedish-speaking Finnish novelist, painter, illustrator and comic strip author. For her contribution as a children's writer she received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1966. Brought up by artistic parents, Jansson studied art from 1930 to 1938 in Stockholm, Helsinki and then Paris. Her first solo art exhibition was in 1943. At the same time, she was writing short stories and articles for publication, as well as creating the graphics for book covers and other purposes. She continued to work as an artist for the rest of her life, alongside her writing. Jansson is best known as the author of the Moomin books for children. The first such book, The Moomins and the Great Flood, appeared in 1945, though it was the next two books, Comet in Moominland and Finn Family Moomintroll, published in 1946 and 1948 respectively, that brought her fame. Starting with the semi-autobiographical Bildhuggarens dotter (Sculptor's Daughter) in 1968, she wrote six novels and five books of short stories for adults.

Works

The Summer Book

The story of the relationship between Sophia, an eight-year-old girl who is growing up fast, and her grandmother, who is nearing the end of her life. They are spending time together with Sophia’s father, at the family summer house on a tiny unspoiled island in the Gulf of Finland. All three are coming to terms with the recent death of Sophia’s mother in very different ways.

Release Date: 2025-01-31

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 1

Moomin 80 - The Door Is Always Open

Tove Jansson’s first Moomin story, “The Moomins and the Great Flood”, was published in 1945. In the story, you follow Moominmamma and Moomintroll on a dangerous journey in search of missing Moominpappa and a place to call home. The Moomins turn 80 in 2025.

Release Date: 2024-10-24

Department: Writing

Job: Original Concept

Who Will Comfort Toffle?

The lonely Toffle learns to overcome his fears when he needs to rescue the Miffle from the Groke.

Release Date: 2023-07-29

Department: Writing

Job: Book

Character: Narrator

The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My

The Moomintroll is on his way home to his mother but runs into trouble. Little My has disappeared, and Hemulen, who thinks it's Christmas, sucks up everything that comes his way in the vacuum cleaner's big horrible funnel.

Release Date: 2023-07-29

Department: Writing

Job: Book

Character: Narrator

Christmas Comes to Moominvalley

On a frosty winter's morning, Hemulen wakes the sleeping Moomins to prepare them for the approaching Christmas. But the Moomintrolls, who normally go dormant during the winter months, have never celebrated Christmas and have no idea what the holiday means. Their confusion and delight in the white winter landscape lead to a journey of discovery, where they are forced to understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Release Date: 2022-12-24

Department: Writing

Job: Original Story

The Exploits of Moominpappa – Adventures of a Young Moomin

A beautiful summer day in Moomin Valley. Suddenly, a wasp stings Moomintroll, who falls ill and has to stay in bed. To cheer him up, Moominpappa recounts his youthful adventures; his misunderstood childhood, escape from an orphanage and his historic meeting with the inventor Hodgkins.

Release Date: 2022-02-25

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 3

Tove Jansson and the Moomins

Once upon a time, there were strange little creatures, somewhere between trolls and hippos, that inhabited a quiet green valley in Finland. The Moomins, created by the writer Tove Jansson, remain in the hearts of people the world over as an ode to family and childhood.

Release Date: 2021-01-13

The Complete Amateur's Guide to Moomin

Video essay about The Moomins and their creator Tove Jansson.

Release Date: 2020-03-01

Character: Self

Moominvalley

Follow the life and adventures of curious, kind and idealistic Moomintroll. A typical hero in a coming-of-age story, Moomintroll tries to tackle the puzzle of growing up to his true, individualistic self while remaining a beloved part of the family.

Release Date: 2019-02-25

Department: Writing

Job: Original Story

Episode Count: 13

Vote Count: 15

Moomins and the Winter Wonderland

This winter is extraordinary; Moomintroll decides to stay awake to explore the winter instead of hibernating as usually. And winters are certainly totally different than he had imagined. Strangest creatures wander amidst the snowdrifts; midwinter darkness surrounds the Moominvalley, and on top of that, an eccentric guest is soon to appear. This guest requires many measures, and is called Christmas, Hemulen tells to a surprised Moomintroll.

Release Date: 2017-11-23

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 19

Moomins on the Riviera

The Moomins along with Little My and Snorkmaiden had a sea journey that after storms and desert island dangers leads the family to Riviera, the place that takes their unity to the test.

Release Date: 2014-10-10

Department: Writing

Job: Original Story

Vote Count: 39

Moomins and the Comet Chase

One day Moomintroll wakes to notice that grey dust is covering everything in the Moominvalley. He runs to ask the philosophical Muskrat if he knows what is happening, who advises him that things tend to look like this before an awful fate coming from the sky hits the Earth. With the help of his father, Moominpappa, Moomintroll and his close friends Sniff and Snufkin build a raft and head out on a challenging journey to the observatory in the Lonely Mountains hoping to find out more from the wise professors there. The friends have to overcome several adversities in order to make it there. When they arrive, they find the professors deep in calculations. They reveal that a comet will reach the Earth in four days, four hours, four minutes and 44 seconds.

Release Date: 2010-08-06

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 12

Moomin and Midsummer Madness

After a volcanic eruption causes floods, members of the moomin family find refuge inside a floating theater.

Release Date: 2008-04-18

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

From the Life of the Little Trolls

The short follows the story of the Last Dragon in the World from the 1962 book Tales from Moominvalley.

Release Date: 2008-01-01

Department: Writing

Job: Short Story

The Leading Lady

Maria is an actress, someone who is used to playing with and acting on feelings, her own as well as others’. However, behind the role there is a disappointed person who does not feel she has achieved what she wanted in life. All this changes when she is cast for the leading role in a play.

Release Date: 2005-12-02

Department: Writing

Job: Short Story

Vote Count: 1

Tove and Tooti in Europe

Tove and Tooti in Europe is a documentary charting the voyages through Europe of the world famous author Tove Jansson and graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä during the years 1972-1993. It is a lyrical and sometimes hilarious film essay on the “old Europe”, experienced by travellers and observers, of times when people used to wander, share a joke, pause and, sometimes, even stop. Shot on Super 8 mm, the film takes us to Paris, Venice, London, Madrid and Dublin; Iceland, Ireland and Corsica.

Release Date: 2004-11-30

Character: Herself

Haru, Island of the Solitary

In early 1970s, the graphic designer Tuulikki Pietilä had seen enough of stative visual art and purchased a film camera from Japan. She filmed the games and chores of the artist couple in their beloved hideout, the island of Klovharun.

Release Date: 1998-01-01

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Character: Herself (archive footage)

Vote Count: 3

Hur gick det sen?

Moomintroll is heading home to Moominmamma with milk. On the way there, he meets Mymble looking for his little Sister . Together they set out to find her. Based on Tove Jansson's first Moomin book.

Release Date: 1994-02-06

Department: Writing

Job: Book

Character: Narrator

Vote Count: 1

Travelling with Tove

In early 1970s, the graphic designer Tuulikki Pietilä had seen enough of stative visual art and purchased a film camera from Japan. Her film immortalized her trips with Tove Jansson.

Release Date: 1993-01-01

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Character: Herself

Comet in Moominland

Moomintroll, Sniff and Little My set out to stop a comet approaching the Moominvalley. Along the way they meet Snufkin, the beautiful Snorkmaiden, Snork and Hemulen, who join them in their quest.

Release Date: 1992-08-08

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 37

Comet in Moominland

Moomintroll, Sniff, and Little My set out to investigate a comet heading for Moominvalley. Along the way, they meet Snufkin, the Snorkmaiden, and other friends, facing various challenges. As they rush to prevent disaster, they uncover unexpected surprises and work together to stay safe before the comet’s arrival.

Release Date: 1992-08-08

Department: Writing

Job: Original Story

Vote Count: 5

Moomin

In the remote and mysterious Moominvalley live the Moomins, gentle and peaceful creatures. Young Moomintroll and his family experience many strange adventures, both magical and mundane. Based on the children's stories by Tove Jansson.

Release Date: 1990-04-12

Department: Writing

Job: Original Story

Episode Count: 104

Vote Count: 71

Moomin Valley: Autumn is Coming to Moomin Valley

Release Date: 1983-01-31

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 1

Moomin Valley: Summer in Moomin Valley

Release Date: 1981-01-31

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Moominvalley: It's All in the Bag

Release Date: 1980-01-31

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 2

Who Will Comfort Toffle?

This short animation film is based on a Tove Jansson picture book. It tells of the little knytt (“knytt” is a non-existing word signifying something tiny like a crumb) who is ever so lonely, but so shy that he is afraid to approach others. The story follows the trials and tribulations of the little knytt and how he finally finds company.

Release Date: 1980-01-12

Department: Writing

Job: Book

Vote Count: 4

The Moomins

A stop motion animated children's television series based on Tove Jansson's book series.

Release Date: 1978-11-19

Department: Writing

Job: Script Editor

Episode Count: 78

Vote Count: 8

Moomintroll and the Comet

Stop-motion animation. A comet is hurtling towards Earth. Moomintroll and friends travel to a mountaintop observatory to investigate.

Release Date: 1978-06-30

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 4

Moomintroll and the Comet: The Way Home

Stop motion animation. Part 3 in a series. A comet is on a collision course with Earth. The oceans have dried up, and Moomintroll and friends need to make their way through raging sandstorms to get home to their parents.

Release Date: 1978-06-30

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 4

Moomintroll and the others

Release Date: 1978-01-31

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 3

New Moomin

A remake of the 1969-70 Moomin series. This version is more closely based on the books by the Finnish illustrator and writer Tove Jansson.

Release Date: 1972-01-09

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Episode Count: 52

Vote Count: 1

Mumintrollet

Moomintroll was a Swedish television series about the Moomins 1969 directed by Vivica Bandler and Ulla Berglund. The series, which is in 13 parts, is written by Tove and Lars Jansson, and produced by Swedish Radio. The premier was December 5, 1969 on TV2. The series became known for Moomins took off their heads a bit into the series. In 2008 the series was up as the play "The King of Moomin Valley" at the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki.

Release Date: 1969-12-05

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Episode Count: 13

Vote Count: 1

Moomin

Moomin is a Japanese anime series broadcast on the Fuji Television Network between 1969 and 1970. It is loosely based on the Moomin books by the Finnish author Tove Jansson.

Release Date: 1969-10-05

Department: Writing

Job: Original Story

Episode Count: 65

Vote Count: 4

Moomin and the Sea

At the far end of the gulf of Finland lay Tove Jansson's summer island of Klovharun. In this film we get to meet her on her island and hear her tell the background story of the world of Moomin, populated with Fillyjonks, Miffles, moomins and the ill-tempered Little My.

Release Date: 1968-12-26

Character: Self

Vote Count: 2

Julkalendern

An annual Swedish Christmas calendar television series.

Release Date: 1960-11-27

Department: Crew

Job: Creator

Episode Count: 24

Vote Count: 11

Augsburger Puppenkiste - Die Muminfamilie – Eine drollige Gesellschaft

Die Muminfamilie was a West German television series released from 1959 to 1960 that was based on the Moomin books by Tove Jansson. It was filmed in black and white and broadcast by ARD. It was notably the first television series ever to be made based on the books. It was also the first TV-series produced by Augsburger Puppenkiste. In all, 12 episodes were made.

Release Date: 1959-08-16

Department: Writing

Job: Novel