Bringing you the latest insights, publication announcements and critical perspectives from the ever‑inspiring world of Tove Jansson…
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NEWS & VIEWS
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Notes from Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book
“Notes from novels are my personal approach to book reviews, based on close reading of quotes and critical articles. I pull out the lines I underlined while reading and use them as jumping-off points to explore what made a book stick with me. Sometimes there’s a clear theme; other times I just follow where the quotes take me”, says GM. In this post she examines Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book, which she describes as being “like a breezy summer day.”
(The Gem Review, 17 September 2026)
Previously unseen drawings by Moomins author Tove Jansson to go on show in London
Previously “unseen drawings of her eccentric characters will be among more than 100 exhibits in a major exhibition that is being staged in London 25 years after her death”, says Dalya Alberge. “Tove Jansson and her Families will open at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration in November, it will be announced on Thursday [featuring] sketches, photographs and films, as well as her correspondence with those closest to her and fans of all ages.”
(The Guardian, 16 September 2026)
RENJUN x MOOMIN: A full circle moment
“K-pop star RENJUN has long been associated with Moomin (Moomintroll to be exact). His love for the Moomin stories was first sparked by a plush toy – and now, he and his fans got an extraordinary treat: an exclusive RENJUN x MOOMIN plushie! Read on for personal commentary from RENJUN himself.”
(Moomin, 16 September 2026)
Patricia Lockwood: ‘I attempted to access my cat on the astral plane’
“I’m just home from an assignment for The London Review of Books: a week on a remote Finnish island called Klovharun, at the edge of the Baltic Sea [where] Tove Jansson spent summers […] with her partner, Tooti, for almost 30 years, and it now exists as a museum and a residency for artists and writers.”
(The Observer, 7 September 2026)
Moomin Museum gets a new Moomin mug in cooperation with Moomin Arabia: Moomintroll and The Groke meet in Winternight Glow
Anu Muurinen writes: “The Moomin Museum and Moomin Arabia have collaborated on a special Moomin mug. The mug’s theme is adapted from Tove Jansson’s original 1972 coloured book illustration. The mug depicts the story of the Moominland Midwinter novel, in which Moomintroll and The Groke encounter each other. The new mug launches on 26 September, the same day that the new Moomin Mug Mania exhibition opens to the public.”
(Tampere, 3rd September 2026)
Voracious Appetites: PW Talks with Katherine Rundell
In her conversation with Amanda Ramirez about her new book, Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise, Katherine Rundell says, “Moominland Midwinter […], which is one of my favourite children’s books, is essentially about the idea that there will be moments where we will have to stride out into the world alone, and our aloneness will be so intense that it will almost overwhelm us […].”
(Publishers Weekly, 27 August 2026)
Review: The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
“This novella is really a series of related vignettes–some truly chapter length, a few less, about a Grandmother and her six-year-old granddaughter, Sophia who has recently lost her mother”, writes Lisa Hayes of The Summer Book.
(Hopewell’s Public Library of Life, 19 August 2026)
Rachel Khoo’s Desert Island Books
The cook, author, broadcaster and latest castaway on Lucy Pearson’s desert island, Rachel Khoo, chose to pack The Summer Book (among others) in her trunk. She says it “captures that particular freedom of a Scandinavian summer so beautifully: wild swimming, island hopping, running through forests and days where nobody seems terribly concerned about the time.”
(The Literary Edit, 16 August 2026)
Fair Play – Tove Jansson (tr. Thomas Teal)
“If I had to start a Hall of Fame for some of my favourite writers, Tove Jansson would certainly find a place on it”, writes Radz Pandit in her lovely review of Fair Play.
(Radhika’s Reading Retreat, 15 August 2026)
“It’s the mystery that’s important, somehow very important.” (Tove Jansson, Art in Nature)
Madame Bibi Lophile reviews “Art in Nature (1978, transl. Thomas Teal 2012) and Letters From Klara (1991, transl. Thomas Teal 2017)” for Tove Jansson Day.
(Madame Bibi Lophile Recommends, 9 August 2026)
Second impressions
Chris Lovegrove writes: “The Swedish title of Tove Jansson’s short story collection Dockskåpet och andra berättelser [Art in Nature] can be translated as ‘The Doll’s House and Other Stories’, in which docka means ‘doll’ and skåpet means ‘the cabinet’.”
(Calmgrove Books, 9 August 2026)
Inside the Island World That Inspired The Summer Book
“Sophia Jansson – niece to beloved Moomins author Tove – recalls the lost summer idylls that helped shape her aunt’s bestselling book, now adapted into a film starring Glenn Close”, writes Laura Allsop.
(AnOther, 6 August 2026)
The Summer Book – this Tove Jansson adaptation is a masterclass in restraint
“A serene Glenn Close stars in this muted, moving story of a family emerging from grief on a wild Finnish island” – the paper’s Chief Film Critic Wendy Ide gives a thumbs-up to the new adaption of Tove’s beloved novel The Summer Book.
(The Observer, 6 August 2026)
A new animated Moomin film is in the works in Hollywood
“Moomins are coming to life as an animated feature film, written and directed by Rebecca Sugar. The film, to be created by media company Annapurna, will be the first Moomin film produced in the United States.”
(Moomin, Updated 1 August 2026)
Hilton London Bankside Launches Moomin-Themed Hotel Takeover
“The hotel has partnered up with Moomin for a special hotel take over which is now running until October. This new collaboration [with] the characters from Swedish-Finnish writer Tove Jansson’s books includes two themed rooms, a Moomin-themed suite and King Family Room, inspired by Tove Jansson’s 1948 novel Finn Family Moomintroll.”
(Love London Love Culture, 1 August 2026)
LUSH and Moomin unite in celebration of values of inclusion, welcome and respect for nature
“Lush, the ethical cosmetics brand known for bold campaigning and historical grassroots support for rights of humans, animals and the planet, has partnered with Moomin […]”.
(Lush, 14 July 2026)
Tove Jansson’s ‘The Summer Book’ + my recommended reading
The Library Read
“What else could I choose this month, but The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. It’s the kind of book you can read in an afternoon, but which you’ll think about for the rest of your life. Who’s reading with me?” asks Katherine May.
(The Clearing, 14 July 2026)
Ten books short enough for summer afternoons
Rebecca at common threads recommends The Summer Book by Tove Jansson, tr. Thomas Teal (170 pages)
“The Summer Book is a reminder of what summer should be like: slow and idle. […] Throughout the novel, we see Jansson’s preoccupation with creativity and death come through in an easy, humorous way.”
(Regan’s newsletter, 29 June 2026)
July Book Club: Sun City
“For the past six years, Nordiska has hosted its own book club for fellow Nordic reading enthusiasts to connect and be in community with one another virtually. For July [they] will be reading another of her works, Sun City.”
(Nordiska’s Blog, 26 June 2026)
Finn Family Moomintroll On BBC Radio 4
“This summer, Robin Brooks brings us his adaptation of Finn Family Moomintroll, by Tove Jansson, reuniting the team that brought you Moominland Midwinter, Comet in Moominland and Moominsummer Madness! It will be on BBC Radio 4, Sunday the 28th June at 15:00.”
(Moomin Newsletter, 25 June 2026)
Small Sketches, Vast Worlds – Tove Jansson Treasures from Åbo Akademi University Library’s Collections Go Digital
“How did Tove Jansson create her beloved Moomin books? Now, for the first time, you have the opportunity to explore Jansson’s writing process in digital format. The digital edition is the result of a collaboration between Åbo Akademi University Library, the rights holders of Tove Jansson’s work, and the Society of Swedish Literature in Finland (SLS).”
(Åbo Akademi, 23 June 2026)
Tove Jansson’s illustrated THE HOBBIT is finally getting an English-language edition
“To mark the 90th anniversary of The Hobbit, a landmark new English-language edition featuring Jansson’s original illustrations is finally being released.”
(The Beat, 23 June 2026)
Small Sketches, Vast Worlds – Tove Jansson Treasures from Åbo Akademi University Library’s Collections Go Digital
“How did Tove Jansson create her beloved Moomin books? Now, for the first time, you have the opportunity to explore Jansson’s writing process in digital format. The digital edition is the result of a collaboration between Åbo Akademi University Library, the rights holders of Tove Jansson’s work, and the Society of Swedish Literature in Finland (SLS).”
(Åbo Akademi, 23 June 2026)
Tove Jansson: Leah’s Pick for Creativity & Expression Month
“Leah talks about the Swedish-Finnish artist, Tove Jansson, who created a colorful universe for her and her characters to escape to.”
(Gals Guide Podcast, 22 June 2026)
Tove Jansson’s Midsummer illustrations on the cover of the satirical magazine Garm
Tove Jansson’s “artistic sensibility began to take shape in a small, sharp-tongued editorial office: the Swedish-language satirical magazine Garm, for which she drew illustrations for over twenty years. Alongside political cartoons, Tove also illustrated cover images for the magazine that reflected the rhythm of the seasons and the holidays. Midsummer, the highlight of the Finnish summer, was a theme she returned to time and again.”
(Tovejansson.com, 15 June 2026)
Introducing Moomin’s Day 2026: A Limited Collection Celebrating Autumn in Moomin Valley
“Moomin’s Day 2026: A Celebration of Autumn: Fiskars Japan has announced the introduction of a limited collection titled ‘Moomin’s Day 2026’ celebrating autumn in Moomin Valley. The launch is set to coincide with Tove Jansson’s birthday, also called ‘Moomin Day,’ which falls on August 9. To accommodate more fans, this unique collection will be available starting August 8, 2026, with sales continuing until August 16 in stores, and until September 30 online. This marks the conclusion of the ‘Seasons of Moomin Valley’ series that started in 2018.”
(Third News, 10 June 2026)
This Summer, Moomins Are Taking the New York Botanical Garden by Storm
“NYBG is bringing Finnish author-illustrator Tove Jansson’s idyllic Moominvalley to the real world with its Summer of Moomin exhibition, on view through September 13. It’s the latest example of the recent resurgence that Jansson’s creations have seen in the U.S.”, reports Eva Baron.
(Publishers Weekly, 10 June 2026)
The joy of correspondence
“Readers, I wonder if you’re familiar with the Scandinavian treasure Who Will Comfort Toffle? by Tove Jansson of Moominvalley fame? With pages bursting with vibrant colour and soothing words, there’s something wonderfully therapeutic about it, especially on lonely and downhearted days”, writes Lucy Fuggle in her piece on “sending postcards (and ignoring AI)”.
(Life With Books, 9 June 2026)
Moomin: Midsummer Madness Announced
“Shochiku Games and Crossbridge Game Studios have announced that Moomin: Midsummer Madness is in development for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.”
(Nintendo Insider, 7 June 2026)
June Book Club: Moominsummer Madness
“For the past six years, Nordiska has hosted its own book club for fellow Nordic reading enthusiasts to connect and be in community with one another virtually. For June we are highlighting an internationally acclaimed author and artist, Tove Jansson and her seasonally appropriate work Moominsummer Madness.”
(Nordiska’s Blog, 2 June 2026)
Book Club: Part Six – The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
“The Summer Book is exactly that. A wonderful read for the summer.” Ciara says most of her book group, “if not all, had a pleasant time reading this […]”
(Salt & Citrus, 21 May 2026)
Samsung Art Store Welcomes the Wonderful World of the Moomins in New Global Collaboration
“Available on Samsung Art Store, the collection features a curated selection of 60 artworks designed to bring the wonderful world of the Moomins and Moominvalley into millions of homes across the globe via Samsung Art TVs.”
(Samsung Newsroom UK, 21 May 2026)
Moomin Wins Best Publishing Brand at the 2026 Licensing International Excellence Awards
“Licensing International [has] revealed the winners of the 2026 Licensing International Excellence Awards, recognizing companies, collaborations, and brand extensions that set the industry standard for excellence worldwide. Moomin was awarded for Best Publishing, Stationery, or Social Expression Brand!”
(Rights & Brands, 19 May 2026)
Exhibition brings to life the world of the Moomins
Charis Scott-Holm writes: “An exhibition exploring some of Finland’s most recognisable characters is opening in Hull.”
(BBC Hull & East Yorkshire, 19 May 2026)
Treasures from Moominvalley – a new collector’s bible out now!
“The definitive book on collectible Moomin products, Anders Landén’s Treasures from Moominvalley – a Collector’s Guide to Tove Jansson’s Moomins, comes out on 23 May!”
(Moomin, 16 May 2026)
‘We’re remixing her library for a new medium’: the video games capturing the happy-sad spirit of Tove Jansson’s Moomins
“Enchanting and a little eerie, Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is the second great game in as many years based on the classic children’s books”, says Lewis Gordon.
(The Guardian, 7 May 2026)
Aprons and anarchy: Motherhood in the Moomin stories
“Forget the ‘perfect mother’. Motherhood in the Moomin stories is more than wise words and gentle hugs. From the nurturing Moominmamma to the strict Mrs. Fillyjonk and free-spirited Mymble, mothers of Moominvalley defy expectations, and prove there is no one way to love. Meet them all here, as you read about the many faces of motherhood in Moominvalley.”
(Moomin, 6 May 2026)
“My love affair with Tove Jansson continues.”
Rebecca, a weaver, mother of three and reader from Spain, shares her thoughts about reading Tove’s short story collection The Woman Who Borrowed Memories from The Woman Who Borrowed Memories by Tove Jansson piece in her ‘What I read in April’ Substack newsletter.
(common threads, 5 May 2026)
Must see: Moomin Parade in Brussels on 9th May 2026
“The beloved Moomin characters are back in Brussels for a second edition of its emblematic parade and a full day program around the European Quarter. The event takes place on 9 May 2026 in the park of Square Ambiorix and a festive parade led through Rue Archimede and around the European Commission.”
(We Love Brussels, 30 April 2026)
11 Little My Books for Kids
“In this post, [Prima Jenkins is] sharing why Little My–centered books (and stories featuring her) are wonderful additions to your child’s bookshelf. You’ll also find engaging activity ideas and discussion questions to help children explore confidence, courage, and big feelings.”
(Little Yellow Star, 29 April 2026)
Tampere’s Moomin vision brings residents, businesses and visitors together around Moomin stories
“The City of Tampere’s Moomin vision presents the city’s plans to evolve into a place that is home to the world’s only Moomin Museum – and even more.”
(TAMPERE, 23 April 2026)
Tove Jansson: did the creator of ‘The Moomins’ base a character on her girlfriend?
“When Tove “began work on Moominland Midwinter – in a particularly lovely letter to [her partner] Pietilä, she finishes up with a drawing of a character that anyone familiar with The Moomins would be well familiar with. Saying that this was ‘a new little creature that isn’t quite sure if it’s allowed to come in!’”
(Dangerous Minds, 22 April 2026)
Tove Jansson: A Quiet Comfort
“[Wendy G] was looking online for something quiet and contemplative to end this day. Everything [she] saw was loud and angry until in slipped an illustration [she] remembered from childhood.”
(travels with my art, 20 April 2026)
Two wins for Moomin at the Bologna Licensing Awards last night
“Moomin won two categories at the Bologna Licensing Awards ceremony last night, taking home awards for Best Fashion Project – Preschool/Kids and Best Licensed Kiosk & Collectible Product.”
(Rights & Brands, 14 April 2026)
Tampere’s pop-up exhibitions bring the Moomins, Tove Jansson’s bond with nature, and hope to Seattle
“The joint exhibition The Moomins’ Sea Adventures and Tove and the Sea has opened at the National Nordic Museum in the United States. The sea-themed pop-up exhibitions, loaned by the City of Tampere, highlight the importance of the sea to Tove Jansson and how this connection is reflected in the Moomin books.”
(TAMPERE, 7 April 2026)
BonBon Swedish Candy Co. and Moomin Debut Two New Candies in a Global Collaboration Celebrating Joy and Acceptance
“Featuring the world of Tove Jansson’s Moomins and produced by Finland’s iconic confectioner Fazer, the collection debuts BonBon x Moomin Sour Gummies and Strawberry & Blueberry Foam Clouds to international markets when small comforts feel more meaningful than ever.”
(Food Newswire, 7 April 2026)
Review: The sea and the archipelago in focus as artists at Chappe follow in Tove Jansson’s footsteps
“The Chappe Art Museum in Tammisaari will open two new exhibitions this summer. Tove Jansson’s summer island Klovharun has inspired Katja Syrjä and Erika Adamsson.”
(yle, 3 April 2026)
Marvellous Moomin Madness
“Finnish national treasure Tove Jansson was a brilliant artist and a poetic novelist. But most people know her as the creator of the Moomins, a plump and friendly family of hippo-like trolls.”
(DailyArt Magazine, 2 April 2026)
Tove Jansson as a postcard artist – the visual language of Easter
“Tove Jansson as a postcard artist – the visual language of Easter Tove Jansson’s various illustration works constitute an interesting and often overlooked part of her extensive artistic output. In particular, her multifaceted Christmas and Easter cards offer a fascinating glimpse into her visual expression, which combines humor, sensitivity, and a Nordic atmosphere.”
(Tovejansson.com, 31 March 2026)
Tove and Tooti had an exceptional 500 vinyl record collection
“The vinyl collection of Tove Jansson and Tuulikki ‘Tooti’ Pietilä reveals more than just their musical tastes. The 482 vinyl records and 90 shellac records gathered on a wooden shelf form a map of travel, capturing the spirit of the times and the rhythms of an artist’s life. In this essay, Karri Miettinen — known as the rap artist Paleface — delves into the soundscape that fuelled the imagination and daily lives of these two artists.”
(Tovejansson.com, 29 March 2026)
Tove Jansson Akebono Children’s Forest Park Black Bear Incidents
Tove Jansson Akebono Children’s Forest Park in Hanno City, Japan, “has seen a high overall presence of black bears with a recorded total of 422 sightings.”
(Kumamap, 26 March 2026)
MOOMIN Rights Guide 2026
Colourful flipbook from Issuu
(Rights & Brands, 23 March 2026)
Three Bologna Licensing Awards Nominations for Moomin and Rights & Brands
“The Bologna Licensing Awards have announced their shortlist for the 2026 edition, and two of Rights & Brands’ Moomin collaborations, as well as the Moomin brand, have been nominated.”
(Rights & Brands, 13 March 2026)
Biscuiteers launches Moomins collaboration
“Biscuiteers, the UK’s original hand-iced biscuit brand, has officially collaborated with the Moomin brand to create a charming Moomin biscuit collection and three letterbox biscuits” (in addition to a special keepsake tin), reports Fiona Briggs.
(Retail Times, 6 March 2026)
Wild, wise, and wonderfully free: Female figures in Moominvalley
“The female figures in Moominvalley are forces of nature.”
(Moomin, 5 March 2026)
Tove Jansson – the creator of the Moomins, grew up in a challenging family
“Her talented father sympathized with Hitler, but she still loved him.”
(Baltijas Balss, 28 February 2026)
Tove Jansson’s Controversial Illustrations of The Hobbit
“In 1960, renowned Finnish artist and author Tove Jansson was commissioned to illustrate the Swedish translation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy novel The Hobbit.”
(Conzit Labs, 27 February 2026)
Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth Launching April 27 for PC, Switch 2, & Switch
“Hyper Games has announced that Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth will launch for Switch 2, Switch, and Steam on April 27th.”
(The Otaku Authority, 20 February 2026)
Tove Jansson Gallery: Artist Family Jansson
“The Tove Jansson Gallery at HAM opens on a larger scale than ever before, now spreading across three exhibition halls. The first exhibition from at the gallery [running 13th February 2026 until 10th January 2027] focuses on the Jansson family of artists and opens the door to a home where art was a way of life.”
(HAM Helsinki Art Museum, 13 February 2026)
About February’s first book-deals
“Móra Könyvkiado Zrt has acquired the Hungarian rights to four of Tove Jansson’s Moomintroll’s stories: Comet in Moominland (Kometen kommer, Schildts & Söderströms, 1946), Finn Family Moomintroll (Trollkarlens hatt, 1948), The Memoirs of Moominpappa (Muminpappans memoarer, 1950) and Moominsummer Madness (Farlig midsummer, 1954) from Rights & Brands.”
(FILI – Finnish Literature Exchange, 6 February 2026)
“…why a whole country listening together still matters”
Merja Lindroos on: The Moomins as Adult Reading: Lessons on Uncertainty, Rest, and Home
(Basecamp Books, 3 February 2026)
“…a flavour of the narrative and the sheer joy these two ladies took in each others company”
In Notes from an Island – Tove Jansson & Tuulikki Pietilä, the blog host shares a few thoughts on Tove’s illustrated memoir of the years she and Tuulikki Pietilä lived in a cabin on a treeless skerry in the Gulf of Finland.
(Ramblings on my bookshelves, 3 February 2026)
“Tove Jansson knew what it was like to fear for her life and the future.”
In this lovely piece (“A safe place where people were nice to each other”: books written as a refuge from the world) by Lucy Fuggle on the “comfort of literary utopias, from Rivendell to Moominvalley”, she recommends reading The Moomins and the Great Flood to find such a “sanctary”.
(Life with Books, 20 January 2026)
“All in all, nothing much happens … and yet it’s a rich life”.
Chris Lovegrove ruminates on Tove’s 1989 novel, Fair Play in his lovely post, “Rather happy tales” (Calmgrove Books, 9 January 2026)
Iconic Moomin artist to get permanent gallery in European museum
Natalie Wilson reports: “Tove Jansson’s illustrations will span three exhibition halls in Helsinki” (Independent, 7 January 2026)
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ANNOUNCEMENTS!
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In 2026 we celebrate 80 years of Comet in Moominland
(see the official website)
TOVE (streaming): Where to watch the movie online
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Thank-you for visiting
Please let me know if I have missed anything of importance. Thank you!