This year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tove
Jansson, the renowned Finnish artist and writer. In Europe she is a household
name and her Moomin books, illustrations, comics and videos are everywhere. She
is a cultural icon and her works a treasure.
I recall the Moomin books vividly from my youth but my
own bookshelf at home was empty of her books. Easily rectified I thought. I
would just look at a few from the public library to help decide what to buy. I
was dismayed to search the public libraries for her books to find the pickings rather
slim. No problem, I would just have a look on the shelf at my local bookshops. I
visited bookshops, even the redoubtable Westbooks, but found they didn't have
any in store. What! No demand they said but we can get them for you.
It seems that sometime since my youth Tove Jansson and
her Moomin books have fallen from favour in this part of the world.
This is intolerable. I now have a set of her books and am
reading them even as I write, and I can testify that they are good, very, very
good. I am in awe of her writing and her illustration. These are books that
have stood the test of time because they are quality.
It is time for some renewal. I urge you, my reader, to
get some Moomin on your shelves. Your shelves at home, your shelves at work, the
shelves of your local book retailer. What a great way to mark the anniversary
of a national (Finnish) treasure.
You will not be disappointed.
Celebrating 100 Years http://www.tove100.com/
Tove Jansson: Love, war and the Moomins
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26529309
Suggested titles :)
http://www.goodreads.com/series/50696-the-moomins
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