Moominpappa's Memoirs (Moomintrolls) (Paperback)

by Tove Jansson (Author, Illustrator), Thomas Warburton (Translator)
Key Phrases: forgotten bones, sun tent, aneroid barometer, Oshun Oxtra, Edward the Booble, Hemulen Aunt (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-Moominpappa has a terrible cold and decides that the best thing to do under the circumstances is to remain quiet and compile his memoirs. In a ponderous manner, he writes of his escape from a foundling home, his link-ups with Joxter, Muddler, and Hodgekins, and the escapades that follow. He reads the chapters aloud to his own little Moomintroll and to the sons of his fellow adventurers. Often they react as many readers will: "But all those sad feelings...are a bit unnecessary. It's all so long." Warburton's translation retains the witty and clever tone of the Finnish writer's tales of Moominland, but the allusions and sardonic humor are often too sophisticated to appeal to the young audience this animal fantasy is likely to attract. For instance, Moominmanna responds to one of Moominpappa's readings, "'Everything'll be much more vivid if you have some passages where you aren't bragging.'" The story moves slowly and the characters, with the exception of the Muddler, don't come alive. A selection mainly for fans of the author's previous stories set in Moominland.
Suzanne Hawley, Laurel Oak Elementary School, Naples, FL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"Stuck at home suffering from a terrible cold, Moominpappa puts his time to good use by setting down his adventures from the time he ran away from the strict and repressive Hemulen orphanage until he met and married the inestimable Moominmamma...A felicitous introduction for newcomers to the Moomin tales." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

"Completely winning." --Kirkus Reviews
-- Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374453071
• ISBN-13: 978-0374453077
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,126 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #9 in

  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( J ) > Jansson, Tove

• This is item 3 in The Moomin Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moominpappa's Memoirs, October 5, 2005

By	Danuta Berger (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Moominpappa's Memoirs" is one of great series of Tove Jansson's collection. I recommend this book to anyone of all age groups. You will enjoy Moominpappa's stories from his youth, full of wit and adventure. The book itself is nicely printed (I love soft covers) and contains beautiful and creative drawings by T. Jansson.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly magical world, July 26, 2005

By	Frikle - See all my reviews

Tove Jansson was a Swedish-speaking Finnish writer and illustrator who wrote many childrens books including the famous Moomin series. Here, the setting is Moominvalley which is basically the natural beauty and pristineness of Finland, populated by Moomins (who look like little hippos which stand upright and are fluffy) and a host of other weird and wonderful creatures. The action is mainly centred around the family with Moominpappa, Moominmamma and Moomintroll the kid. They set a tone for the whole series as Tove infused them and their whole universe with experiences of her own family which seem to have been a very bohemian, artistic, tolerant and warm lot. This makes the books great reading for kids from an early age as they invoke a wonderful sense of fun and silliness as well as acceptance and openmindedness.

One thing I remember from reading these as a kid is that the plot didn't really matter. In some books, it's hard to say exactly what happens. Rather, it is the atmosphere that I found the most important. In this book, Moominpappa writes his memoirs of his adventures when he ran away from home as a boy, and his encounters with creatures like an undignified prankster king.

A great series overall, filled with imagination, surrealism, fun and warmth.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical Book, May 14, 2001

By A Customer

All of the books in this series are fantastic. They are poignant sweet and fascinating. I love the characters and the interactions between the characters. I read these first 26 years ago and have made sure they are easy to find every time I move. I still read them often.