Comet in Moominland

by Tove Jansson (translation by Elizabeth Portch)

ISBN: 978-0-14-030286-8

First published 1946

158 pages

Illustrations: Tove Jansson

5/5 Stars

Moomintroll, Snufkin, Sniff and the Muskrat head off to the Observatory to find when the giant comet in the sky will land on Moomin Valley. Love and friendship abound in this wonderful children’s book. On the way Moomintroll becomes friends with the Snork maiden and rescues the silk-monkey from impending doom. They sail to far off mountains, hold concerts in the forest and walk with stilts across the dried up oceans (see sketches below), only to reach Moominpapa and Moominmamma who protect the little tribe in a cave, with a curtain over the cave mouth, and a bath over the chimney.

The wonder of this book is in the magical ‘anything could happen’ land of the Moomins. The Moomins accept other creatures, and have a kind and inquisitive nature. Fantastical creatures and magical landscapes are described through Moomin eyes, where baking cakes always wins out over Armageddon (or even a comet landing).

Journey to the observatory