Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Tove Jansson Edition

by Lewis Carroll, Tove Jansson (illustrator)

Tove Jansson's beautiful edition of a classic work of children’s literature is once again available in North America.

An elegant edition of a timeless classic illustrated by the creator of the Moomins in a dreamy, delicate, and playful style true to the whimsy and wonder of the story.

In Tove Jansson, Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland finds an illustrator worthy of its enchantment and surreal beauty. Jansson is renowned worldwide for her hugely successful books about the inhabitants of Moomin Valley. What is less well known is that in 1966 she devoted her unique gifts to illustrating Alice's extraordinary adventures.

Described by The Times (UK) on its first publication in 1865 as an excellent piece of nonsense, Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has gone on to become one of the most popular books ever written, loved by children and adults alike and translated into over 125 languages.

Over forty years after her interpretation of Lewis Carroll's masterpiece was first enjoyed by Scandinavian readers, Tove Jansson's beautiful edition of the classic work of children’s literature is once again available in North America.

Genres: Fantasy, Classics, Childrens, Art, 19th Century

112 pages, Hardcover

Published October 29, 2024

About the author

The Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican clergyman and photographer.

His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all considered to be within the genre of literary nonsense.

Oxford scholar, Church of England Deacon, University Lecturer in Mathematics and Logic, academic author of learned theses, gifted pioneer of portrait photography, colourful writer of imaginative genius and yet a shy and pedantic man, Lewis Carroll stands pre-eminent in the pantheon of inventive literary geniuses.

He also has works published under his real name.

Reviews

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ "If everybody minded their own business, the world would go round a deal faster than it does."

Fun, imaginative and whimsical. Didn't always make sense which is pretty much the point.

[Fin · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Begin at the beginning,' the King said gravely, 'and go on till you come to the end: then stop.'

Tove Jansson with an almost unrecognisable take on Alice, the mad hatter, the king and queen of hearts etc. Quite a strange and singular, almost mythic style of illustrating. It's cool though!

Remembered this much better than I thought I would for not having touched it since primary school (Year 6 advanced table reading with mrs lambert #represent). Basically every scene is imprinted in some corner of my brain. Cheshire cat is my spirit animal

[Birte]

Klarer ikke å gi stjerner, for elsker illustrasjonene og føler jeg fikk god innsikt i å være psykotisk, men skjønte jo veldig lite

[Kristin]

I was very excited to learn this existed, crossing something I love-- Tove Jansson's art-- with Alice in Wonderland, which I've always wanted to read and have in theory appreciated, but could never get into save for Jan Svankmajer's dark and bizarre film version. I attribute not having been able to read it before to its odd, outdated phraseology and today-unknown cultural conventions that it's loaded with putting me to sleep. With Tove's help, I finally did it! I have now achieved having read Alice in Wonderland in its entirety at long last.

I will say, though, that she didn't offer MUCH help--only just enough to get by. Her illustrations are a lot more sparse in number than I had hoped. Now that I have recently delved into her vast biography by Boel Westin, I picture this as a characteristically shrewd business decision on Tove's part, fitting it in only as a small side project in the larger scheme of her busy professional artist life, and not offering more than she precisely wanted to spend energy on. Just a few small margin doodles and a few nice pages and half-pages of illustrations, but they're great.

I'm pleased to report that, outside of the illustrations, the text work deserves its status as a classic for being so bizarre and surprisingly comedic. Its strongest feature is actually its comedy, even over its drug trip attributes.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I acquired this particular Alice for the illustrations (as one does). It's the third "not Tenniel's drawings" Alice on my shelves. Not that I dislike John Tenniel's drawings. They are iconically Alice but it's always wonderful to see how others interpret this classic. Tove Jansson, herself an amazing writer/artist and creator of the Moomins, gives us a profoundly odd Alice in all the best ways. Creatures are a bit warped out of true and yet absolutely dream logical. Much like Tenniel's humor but also uniquely Jansson. The story, as always, sparkles with Carroll's droll wit. Let us all acknowledge how unique Alice was (even today). This intrepid heroine is not nice all the time but does not suffer for her temper tantrums. In fact, shouting an insult at a pack of cards ends her dream quite satisfactorily. Which hopefully inspired all child and adult readers to use their imaginations and stay firm when faced with disappearing cats, babies turning into pigs, and other aggravations.

Now if only someone would release an English edition of Jannsson's Hobbit! She illustrated that classic too but it's only available in Finnish and Swedish.

[Susannah Breslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Tove Jansson Edition combines two of my favorites from childhood: a marvel of literature and the creator of the Moomins universe. So I was delighted to learn this book united the two. Rereading Lewis Carroll’s text was illuminating—how willy-nilly he is with language and imagery and how much magical conjuring happens when a creator allows pretty much anything to sprout from his brain. I adore Jansson’s images for the text. They are more vibrant and beguiling than the originals. My favorite illustration features Alice peering over the lip of the mushroom to consider the caterpillar.

[Aimée Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the loveliest edition of Alice in Wonderland, in my opinion. Tove Jansson’s illustrations lend a more contemplative feeling to the whole book, and I couldn’t love it more. I traced down a vintage copy for my brother a few years ago and was thrilled to find out that it had been republished recently, which means I finally have my own copy. Alice is one of the first books I remember reading over and over as a child, and it has been so fun to immerse myself in this book again and to discuss with my graduate school colleagues this term.

[Tyler Larade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very happy that the owner of my favourite little bookstore showed me that they had recently gotten this book in! I adore Tove Jansson and had always wanted to read Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland so it was the perfect mix.

I loved the first half, but thought the second half dragged on a tad bit. Especially with the Mock Turtle and Gryphon part. But very good read nonetheless.

[Shawn Shawhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! I should have read the story 50 years ago.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

an acid trip in book form. Love the smiling kitty and the art!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten what a fun book this is. And this edition has charming illustrations by Tove Jannson.

[emma :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story with some really fun illustrations by Tove Jansen! I feel like her take on the characters and setting of this classic story are really fresh and interesting

[bushy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read