The Moomins and the Great Flood

Originally written between 1939-1945 by Tove Jansson, this version of Moomins and the Great Flood is an English translation by David McDuff in 2012, then updated again in 2018. The story follows Moominmamma and Moomintroll searching for a warm place to build their winter home as well as the missing Moominpappa. Writing during World War II, Jansson needed a fairytale that would end happily. Avoiding the usual princes and princesses in many fairytales, she created Moomintroll and his family.

Although Moomins and the Great Flood is a children’s book, readers will read about the realities of war – the loss and sorrow of losing a home, family members, and the dangers that present themselves when one is leaving an old home and seeking to find a new home. However, readers also see Moominmamma’s courage and never-ending patience with Moomintroll which motivates and encourages Moomintroll to continue on the journey, even though, at times, it feels that there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

While Jansson compares the terrors of war to the obstacles the Moomins face on their journey, she also writes of hope. Readers see that hope in the Moomins’ actions and words as well as in Jansson’s black and white illustrations as a sun often appears in many of the images. Young readers will enjoy following the Moomins’ journey on the search for Moominpappa and a new home. Older readers will enjoy the details in Jansson’s illustrations. Moomins and the Great Flood would also work as a read-aloud to younger children.