Moomins

The Moomins are a family of characters created by Finnish-Swedish author Tove Jansson. They first appeared in the 1945 book The Moomins and the Great Flood and went on to form a long-running series of novels and picture books, published in Swedish in Finland and translated into many languages.

The Moomins themselves are gentle, roundish trolls with white fur and large snouts. They live in Moominvalley, a peaceful, nature-centered world by the sea, where adventures often arise from ordinary days. The central family consists of Moomintroll, his wise Moominmamma and thoughtful Moominpappa; among their friends are Snufkin, a wandering philosopher; Snorkmaiden, Moomintroll's friend and sometimes love interest; Little My; and a range of other inhabitants such as the Hemulen and Too-Ticky. The stories blend whimsy with subtle philosophical and social themes, including friendship, family, change, and acceptance of difference.

Since their creation, the Moomins have become a global cultural icon of Finnish literature, with translations into dozens of languages. They have been adapted into animated series, stage productions, films, and a large body of merchandise. A dedicated Moomin World theme park operates in Naantali, Finland. In recent years, new animated series such as Moominvalley (2019–present) have helped introduce the characters to new audiences around the world, alongside ongoing publications and exhibitions.