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The Illustrators
Tove Jansson
This book provides fresh insight into and a deep appreciation of the life and art of Tove Jansson (1914–2001), one of the most original, influential, and perennially enjoyed illustrators of the twentieth century. In this volume Paul Gravett examines Jansson’s highly successful Moomin books, as well as her interpretations of classics such as Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Hunting of the Snark, and J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
Born in Helsinki among Finland’s Swedish-speaking minority, Jansson was brought up with a love for making art and stories in a supportive, artistic family. Her first illustrated tales were published when she was fourteen years old and she went on to draw humorous and political cartoons as well as striking front covers for the satirical magazine Garm, in response to events in World War II. As she developed from art student to painter and muralist, and from bohemian to lesbian, she also created her Moomin world, which appeared in her first children’s book in 1945 and then in newspaper strips. Beyond this imaginative achievement, Jansson also wrote many novels, documented here along with personal commentaries from her own writings.
A title in The Illustrators series, which celebrates illustration as an art form, Tove Jansson offers a visually rich view into the life and work of this much-loved artist and writer.
Born in Helsinki among Finland’s Swedish-speaking minority, Jansson was brought up with a love for making art and stories in a supportive, artistic family. Her first illustrated tales were published when she was fourteen years old and she went on to draw humorous and political cartoons as well as striking front covers for the satirical magazine Garm, in response to events in World War II. As she developed from art student to painter and muralist, and from bohemian to lesbian, she also created her Moomin world, which appeared in her first children’s book in 1945 and then in newspaper strips. Beyond this imaginative achievement, Jansson also wrote many novels, documented here along with personal commentaries from her own writings.
A title in The Illustrators series, which celebrates illustration as an art form, Tove Jansson offers a visually rich view into the life and work of this much-loved artist and writer.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2022
23 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 3, 2025
Чудова книжка, неймовірна Туве
January 2, 2025
A book says it’s about Tove, I read.
April 14, 2023
A delight to find out more about a favourite author.
December 25, 2025
There's no way you could not enjoy this book, especially if you're in love with Tove's exceptional writing and drawings.
October 8, 2023
Hea tasakaal eluloo ja loomingu vahel. Tekst kohati pisut kohmakas küll, aga uued teadmised ja ilusad illustratsioonid korvasid selle üsna kiirelt.
Näitasin raamatut ka 5-aastasele õelapsele, kellel oli põnev pilte vaadata ja neilt muumitrolli otsida. Teos tituleeriti kohe uueks Muumiraamatuks.
Näitasin raamatut ka 5-aastasele õelapsele, kellel oli põnev pilte vaadata ja neilt muumitrolli otsida. Teos tituleeriti kohe uueks Muumiraamatuks.
July 8, 2024
Yesterday I had the pleasure of finishing this gorgeous book chronicling a life's work of (who is perhaps) Finland's most famous daughter, Tove Jansson. Already familiar with the series thanks to very thoughtful gifts from my lovely friend, Sacha, stumbling upon the Jansson title in the month we travel to Finland felt like perfect timing. Along with many people in both Europe and globally, I was familiar with Jansson's work solely through the beloved Finn Family Moomin whose images and stories I've always held an affinity for.
The book documents her early life and inspirations growing up in a family of two artist parents (an illustrator and sculptor, respectively) through to her final years and the unprecedented output she created in the years between. It was wonderful to learn more about the early years of the Moomins as a years-long comic strip along with her diverse portfolio of commercial and personal work (notably, what an impressive portraiture artist and painter she was... along with anything and everything she seemingly put her hand to). The book is also a life-affirming and warming account of life as a bohemian member of the LGBT at a time where same-sex relationships, even in progressive Suomi, was at best taboo, and worst, illegal... and yet she lived life on her terms anyway.
Not only had the book further fuelled my anticipation for our end-of-the-month trip, but also to read some of Jansson's translated works aimed at adult readers, with 'The Summer Book' the first on my list.
The book documents her early life and inspirations growing up in a family of two artist parents (an illustrator and sculptor, respectively) through to her final years and the unprecedented output she created in the years between. It was wonderful to learn more about the early years of the Moomins as a years-long comic strip along with her diverse portfolio of commercial and personal work (notably, what an impressive portraiture artist and painter she was... along with anything and everything she seemingly put her hand to). The book is also a life-affirming and warming account of life as a bohemian member of the LGBT at a time where same-sex relationships, even in progressive Suomi, was at best taboo, and worst, illegal... and yet she lived life on her terms anyway.
Not only had the book further fuelled my anticipation for our end-of-the-month trip, but also to read some of Jansson's translated works aimed at adult readers, with 'The Summer Book' the first on my list.
February 27, 2023
This is amazing!
Beautiful and varied illustrations throughout. Text gives an overview of Tove's very interesting life.
Thanks ben ❤️
Beautiful and varied illustrations throughout. Text gives an overview of Tove's very interesting life.
Thanks ben ❤️
August 11, 2025
Näyttävä kirja! Jos kuvitukselle voisi antaa omat tähdet, vähintään 4 irtoaisi. Tekstin osalta aika pintapuolinen katsaus Janssonin uraan.
January 10, 2025
A nice quality book with a great selection of images. It did offer me some new information about the beloved artist and her oeuvre and I enjoyed reading it, but I would have expected just a little bit more. But hey, that's the never-ending thirst for Moomin for you!
December 8, 2024
Jag kan bara önska att det pratades mer om Janssons privatliv (i detalj) senare i livet, det professionella tog upp väldigt mycket av boken .. iförsig hade den då behövt vara mycket längre. De skyggade iallafall inte bort från att kalla henne lesbisk!! Och över lag så fin och sånt bra urval och sammanfattning, här diskuterades detaljer om t.ex romanutgivningen och serietecknandet som inte ens jag visste. Väldigt väldigt bra urval av mindre kända illustrationer också.
Och miniatyrhuset, my beloved <3 fick nämnas
Och miniatyrhuset, my beloved <3 fick nämnas
September 25, 2025
Really enamored with the design/format of this series and I hope they continue to expand it. Beautiful, easy biographical overview of Tove Jansson's personal life and career, and great selection of illustrations and various works-in-progress images. Not majorly in-depth, but enough to be a handy and not overwhelming reference.
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June 20, 2024Utrolig fin bok om Tove Janssons arbeid som illustratør! Noen av bildene hadde jeg heller ikke sett før, morro å oppdage «ny» kunst fra en kunstner man liker godt
May 28, 2025
Got some new insights on my Liege. 🙂↕️🫶🇫🇮👑🌲
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September 4, 2024This book is such a treat—short enough to read in an evening or two, full enough to really get the point across. And what’s the point? The point is that Tove Jansson ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuules.
February 27, 2023
A very handsome naked hardback, the latest edition in W. W. Norton’s Illustrators series spotlights the work of Finnish author and artist Tove Jansson, the creator of the famous Moomin series, which were released across many incarnations from 1945 until the late 90s.
Jansson’s genius has more than stood the test of time. Even now, her works and particularly her fictional round, white, vaguely hippopotamus-resembling creatures— the eponymous “Moomins”—continue to win over people from all generations. Some may find the comforting cottage-core vibes of her stories especially fitting in a post-Covid era, in which there are no short of reasons to feel depressed about the state of our world. Jansson herself conceived of her iconic “moomintrolls'’ from a very tumultuous and difficult time in history. Indeed, her work very much represented a kind of escapism through a fantastical conception of simple, pastoral life. However, Jansson’s escapist fiction is deeply refreshing, even in today’s standards, because of its uncondescending and non didactic tone. While her books are fantastical and whimsical in nature, difficult themes such as identity, philosophy, cultural differences, grief are treated in nuanced and mature ways — which incidentally explains why the Moomin stories lend themselves well as rereads and are extremely popular with older readers.
In a compact and remarkably well-edited form, The Illustrators Series: Tove Jansson is a great summary of Jansson’s formidable legacy. It provides an accessible throughline into her many careers, from a young political graphic illustrator to a seasoned cartoonist and successful author. As a lesbian artist from a Finnish-Swedish minority coming up in a politically fraught Europe, Jansson nonetheless carved out a long, storied career for herself out of sheer dedication and passion— evidenced clearly throughout this entire book.
Rare in biographical art books is an actually compelling adjoining text that can measure up with its visual reproductions; thankfully, Paul Gravett’s comments are sharply observed and often posits intelligent and thought-provoking analogies. He provides just enough biographical elements to situatiate readers historically without losing focus on the actual art itself.
The book spotlights, above everything, Jansson’s versatility and meticulous approach to art as well as the distinctive visual style for which she is famous. It spoils readers with pages and pages of a delightfully eclectic selection of her artwork ranging across multiple mediums and stages of completion. Anyone who is coming into this book with only a bare knowledge of Jansson’s iconic Moomin drawings will surely appreciate this diversity.
The art pieces themselves are replicated in marvelous quality; you are able to actually read some notes in English sprinkled on the margins of certain sketches, carefully penciled from Jansson’s gentle and stylized handwriting— a charming and endearing detail.
Reading this book felt like walking through a well-curated museum exhibition, accompanied by a friendly, discerning guide— no doubt exactly what the Illustrators series editors were aiming for. Of course, this is mandatory reading for all Jansson fans, and will assuredly take up a treasured space on your bookshelves.
Jansson’s genius has more than stood the test of time. Even now, her works and particularly her fictional round, white, vaguely hippopotamus-resembling creatures— the eponymous “Moomins”—continue to win over people from all generations. Some may find the comforting cottage-core vibes of her stories especially fitting in a post-Covid era, in which there are no short of reasons to feel depressed about the state of our world. Jansson herself conceived of her iconic “moomintrolls'’ from a very tumultuous and difficult time in history. Indeed, her work very much represented a kind of escapism through a fantastical conception of simple, pastoral life. However, Jansson’s escapist fiction is deeply refreshing, even in today’s standards, because of its uncondescending and non didactic tone. While her books are fantastical and whimsical in nature, difficult themes such as identity, philosophy, cultural differences, grief are treated in nuanced and mature ways — which incidentally explains why the Moomin stories lend themselves well as rereads and are extremely popular with older readers.
In a compact and remarkably well-edited form, The Illustrators Series: Tove Jansson is a great summary of Jansson’s formidable legacy. It provides an accessible throughline into her many careers, from a young political graphic illustrator to a seasoned cartoonist and successful author. As a lesbian artist from a Finnish-Swedish minority coming up in a politically fraught Europe, Jansson nonetheless carved out a long, storied career for herself out of sheer dedication and passion— evidenced clearly throughout this entire book.
Rare in biographical art books is an actually compelling adjoining text that can measure up with its visual reproductions; thankfully, Paul Gravett’s comments are sharply observed and often posits intelligent and thought-provoking analogies. He provides just enough biographical elements to situatiate readers historically without losing focus on the actual art itself.
The book spotlights, above everything, Jansson’s versatility and meticulous approach to art as well as the distinctive visual style for which she is famous. It spoils readers with pages and pages of a delightfully eclectic selection of her artwork ranging across multiple mediums and stages of completion. Anyone who is coming into this book with only a bare knowledge of Jansson’s iconic Moomin drawings will surely appreciate this diversity.
The art pieces themselves are replicated in marvelous quality; you are able to actually read some notes in English sprinkled on the margins of certain sketches, carefully penciled from Jansson’s gentle and stylized handwriting— a charming and endearing detail.
Reading this book felt like walking through a well-curated museum exhibition, accompanied by a friendly, discerning guide— no doubt exactly what the Illustrators series editors were aiming for. Of course, this is mandatory reading for all Jansson fans, and will assuredly take up a treasured space on your bookshelves.
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June 3, 2023a woman, a feminist, a lesbian, an anti-nazi artist, a novelist, a painter, …
February 27, 2025
I have loved the Moomins since I was young, and I still love them just as much. I want to visit Finland just so I can buy all the Moomin things - they have Moomin tea in the supermarket!
This is a quick but very interesting look into the multi-faceted art of Tove Jansson. Art, particularly painting, was her first and foremost love, but the Moomins soon took over her life. Not just in the creation of the books but the entire marketing enterprise that developed from these adorable creatures. There was even a Moomin opera.
The author made an interesting point about Tove - "one wonders what gems she might have created had she realised the opportunities of the authorial graphic novel." She spent a large proportion of her work life on comic strips and she would have excelled with a full-length graphic novel.
Her political cartoons were witty and cutting. She created about 500 creations for a magazine called Garm, starting in 1935. As Tove said, "Most of all I liked the fact that I got to be beastly to Hitler and Stalin." And she did not hold back.
There were plenty of Moomins in this book but I also appreciated the look at other aspects of Tove's art as she was a most prolific and talented artist.
This is a quick but very interesting look into the multi-faceted art of Tove Jansson. Art, particularly painting, was her first and foremost love, but the Moomins soon took over her life. Not just in the creation of the books but the entire marketing enterprise that developed from these adorable creatures. There was even a Moomin opera.
The author made an interesting point about Tove - "one wonders what gems she might have created had she realised the opportunities of the authorial graphic novel." She spent a large proportion of her work life on comic strips and she would have excelled with a full-length graphic novel.
Her political cartoons were witty and cutting. She created about 500 creations for a magazine called Garm, starting in 1935. As Tove said, "Most of all I liked the fact that I got to be beastly to Hitler and Stalin." And she did not hold back.
There were plenty of Moomins in this book but I also appreciated the look at other aspects of Tove's art as she was a most prolific and talented artist.
November 18, 2025
I am the sort of person to read an image centered coffee table book from front to back and Tove Jansson is my hero so this was picked up immediately when I saw it at a local bookstore. This book has really high resolution gorgeous color images of some of Jansson's lesser seen work. The biography is much briefer and more general than Boel Westin's intensive tome and as it's part of a larger series about illustrators edited by Quentin Blake it does naturally focus on her illustration career instead of her painting and writing career. Still, Jansson's career is so interdisciplinary and multi-faceted it's completely stunning to see all the ways her brain was thinking as she developed the Moomins from a wartime fairy tale to the most visually sophisticated children's franchise of the 20th century. I am always in awe of her dedication to the ethos of "work and love". This specific book's main selling point are the images. Gorgeous pen and ink preliminary drawings for the Moomin comic strips and superbly printed colors spreads of her gouache and watercolor work. If you are or know someone who studies illustration or is a huge Jansson fan, this is the perfect book to study the master's process by.
September 4, 2025
Title: Tove Jansson kuvittaja
Author: Paul Gravett
Publisher: Otava
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 112
Language: Finnish
Isbn: 9789511464259
Published: 2022
Read and review: 2025
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4)
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Tove Jansson kuvittaja (“Tove Jansson the illustrator”) by Paul Gravett is a book about the everloved Tove Jansson. Best known as the mother of the Moomins, but Tove was a multitalent, excelling as a painter, illustrator, cartoonist, set designer, and muralist, among other things. As a writer, Tove wrote memoirs, fiction, children’s books, and plays.
Most of the book, however, focuses specifically on the Moomins and their creation.
In biographies, it is always interesting to read about the influences people have had—for example, how Tove’s parents and family affected her, what kind of schools she attended, who the important people along her path were, and which events and experiences inspired her and gave momentum to her career.
It is also interesting to read about the hardships experienced by the masters.
Author: Paul Gravett
Publisher: Otava
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 112
Language: Finnish
Isbn: 9789511464259
Published: 2022
Read and review: 2025
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4)
-
Tove Jansson kuvittaja (“Tove Jansson the illustrator”) by Paul Gravett is a book about the everloved Tove Jansson. Best known as the mother of the Moomins, but Tove was a multitalent, excelling as a painter, illustrator, cartoonist, set designer, and muralist, among other things. As a writer, Tove wrote memoirs, fiction, children’s books, and plays.
Most of the book, however, focuses specifically on the Moomins and their creation.
In biographies, it is always interesting to read about the influences people have had—for example, how Tove’s parents and family affected her, what kind of schools she attended, who the important people along her path were, and which events and experiences inspired her and gave momentum to her career.
It is also interesting to read about the hardships experienced by the masters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2023
Great summary of Tove Jannson’s life and work. Tons of great visuals throughout the whole book and was a nice quick read. I learned a ton about her life and work that I didn’t know before. Would have been cool to have a section at the end about her legacy and things like the Moomin TV shows, Arabia mugs, etc. Things that have been wickedly popular and carry on her art, imagination, and philosophy, although she didn’t directly work on and complete them.
December 2, 2023
Frekar stutt bók sem rekur feril Tove í gegnum verk hennar. Passar vel við myndina Tove sem fjallar meira um persónuleg sambönd hennar.
Kom mest á óvart hvað hún var ung þegar hún byrjaði að teikna teiknimyndasögur og kápur fyrir tímarit. Líka forvitnilegt að sjá myndskreytingar hennar utan múmínálfana.
Hefði viljað fá meiri texta um hvert verk og enn fleiri myndir þó þar séu þegar töluvert margar.
Kom mest á óvart hvað hún var ung þegar hún byrjaði að teikna teiknimyndasögur og kápur fyrir tímarit. Líka forvitnilegt að sjá myndskreytingar hennar utan múmínálfana.
Hefði viljað fá meiri texta um hvert verk og enn fleiri myndir þó þar séu þegar töluvert margar.
April 21, 2025
This short book focuses exclusively on Tove Jansson`s path as an illustrator. Regardless of having already read two thick books about her ( the biography by Boel Westin and the collection of letters and diary entries), I found this one quite interesting. Loved the reprinted illustrations which added a lot to the value of the edition. IMO, Paul Gravett`s book is a real treat and a must-have for every Tove Jansson`s fan.
July 15, 2023
This is a good edition to the genre of Moomin/Tove. It's biographical, illustrated, and not too in-depth. I would call it an introduction to the life of Tove and her family. So while you get to meet her brothers and mother, you don't get to find out that she was an Aunt to more than Sophia. Still, it is a beautiful edition and worth having.
April 28, 2023
Far more than just a coffee table book. Full of hard to find illustrations and a detailed inventory of Tove's life and career. I found the commentary engaging and actually quite moving, as well as informative. Obviously a book made with a lot of love and respect for Tove and her works.
June 3, 2023
Loved it! Neat little transportation through the life of Tove Jansson and a reminder that her talent an artistic life was not limited to just the Moomins she is remembered for. Truly a wonderful woman to read about, but I wish the book was longer!
October 24, 2023
Mõnus, paljude ilusate piltidega, kokkuvõtlik ja kiire lugemine. Sain nii mõndagi uut teada, mida ma Tove Janssoni ja ta raamatute kohta enne ei teadnud. Näiteks, et "Suveraamatu" tegelasteks olid tema ema ja vennatütar jne.
March 4, 2023
Moomin 4ever! A great little biography of the incredibly creative and hard-working Tove Jansson.
May 5, 2023
A lovely insight into a fantastic woman.
May 22, 2023
Beautiful book just asking to be picked up at the library. I find Tove Jansson fascinating and her short novels so poignant. This is a great biography with many sketches, photos and artifacts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews