Moomin and the Ice Festival

by Tove Jansson

It's winter in Moominvalley and Moomintroll and his family are getting ready for the Long Winter Sleep. But as the first flakes of snow fall, they receive an exciting invitation to the Ice Festival. Will they be brave enough to venture out now winter is here?

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

23 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2018

About the author

Tove Jansson was born and died in Helsinki, Finland. As a Finnish citizen whose mother tongue was Swedish, she was part of the Swedish-speaking Finns minority. Thus, all her books were originally written in Swedish.

Although known first and foremost as an author, Tove Jansson considered her careers as author and painter to be of equal importance.

Tove Jansson wrote and illustrated her first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), during World War II. She said later that the war had depressed her, and she had wanted to write something naive and innocent. Besides the Moomin novels and short stories, Tove Jansson also wrote and illustrated four original and highly popular picture books.

Jansson's Moomin books have been translated into 33 languages.

Reviews

[Nicole]

adorable, perfect, thank you Laura

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love children's books!! Fun and the pictures were beyond beautiful!

[Esther Csorba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful children's book. If you have read all the Moomin books, this should be in your collection too.

[Meghan Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

gr8 bedtime story💤

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

While enjoying all that Finland & Norway had to offer, I discovered the Moomins characters who seem to be well-known and loved throughout Scandinavia. These cuddly, white hippo-looking creatures that walk on two legs are said by the author to be trolls and the picture books they are featured in are all filled with acts of kindness and demonstrate family and friends spending quality time together. In the Ice Festival, the family is getting ready to settle in for their long winter’s nap when Snorkmaiden (sister) learns that the Ice Festival is happening that night. Moominpappa and Moominmamma both think it’s better to get to bed and Moomintroll is leery of meeting up with the Groke (a lonely creature who leaves all who encounter her feeling icy cold and sad; feared by all in Moominvalley) and also supports not going to the festival. Little My and Snorkmaiden sneak out and when Moomintroll discovers her absence, he puts aside his fears about the Groke and convinces Moominpappa to go rescue his sister and their friend. End result? All are delighted with the festival and decide to make it a night before hibernation annual event. Love Moomintroll’s concern for his sister and the bravery he shows despite the possibility of a scary encounter. Snorkmaiden does not get in trouble for sneaking out, but she does seem contrite and does apologize to her parents.

Wonderful winter time book with bright and engaging illustrations, large and easy to read text and plenty of detail to get little minds and imaginations going on so many snow/ice time possibilities. Recommended for ages 2-9.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given that it's Tobe Jansson herself - it's pretty good! Stays true to the characters and feeling of the Moomin books

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it but it was too short!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book at least a dozen times just in the last week. The story is sweet, and my daughter loves looking at the bright pages.

[Tina Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely book that tell the tale that if you love somebody you do what it takes and ends up having fun at the same time.

[Mari-Liis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Väga armas ja seikluslik lugu ning muidugi ilusad illustratsioonid

[Triin Soom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laste sõnu kasutades, siis need Muumide raamatud on nii toredad!!!

[Muhammad Salim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Moomin adventure. Pleasure to read. A quick read. Fun.