I’d like to take you on a trip back to the late 1970s and 80’s to an important time in my childhood reading history.  The Moomins by Tove Jansson.  I actually first came across the quirky, gentle Moomin Family from the TV series.  I was hooked after the first episode and they intrigued me so much I read all the books in the school library.

I poured over the pages full of adventures such as the HobGoblins Hat, wondering how they survived the harsh winter and feeling a connection to little Moomintroll and his loving family.  Little My was my favourite though, she was everything I wasn’t as an awkward, shy child.  She was impulsive, very naughty and wanted nothing more than to make a decision and get out there and experience life.  I could be a little braver and live through her in these stories. I loved that the Moominmamma and Moominpappa adopted her and she lived with them, Moominvalley seemed such a welcoming non judgemental world.

Some elements I remember as being a little darker.  The Groke for example terrified me, but the balance seemed to be there and keep my interest as I read any Moomin book I could find.

The Moomins as a series of books have great longevity, even my sister eleven years my junior got to enjoy the Moomins just as much as me as she grew up.  There would have been generations before me who enjoyed these books and I’m sure kids today are loving this gentle, enchanting family of trolls from Moomin Valley.

Are there a series of children’s books long forgotten that you would like to remember?