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Rating: 
Summary: Truly good
Review: An imcomporable masterpiece of quiet, subtle children's literature, perhaps only equalled by other books in the series such as "Moominpappa at Sea" or the inexplicably out of print "Moominvalley in November." A perfect read for winter, embodying both its beauty and loneliness, and the way in which good souls can muddle through it, flaws and all. Sophisticated, sensitive children will most appreciate this unique world.
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Summary: One of the best children's series
Review: I am an adult, and I still reread the Moomin series by Tove Jansson. Any of the books are good, but this is one of my favorites. The beauty of Jansson's books is that they are fantasies, yet at the same time they are very interesting character portraits. The moomins and their friends and countrymen may be "fantasy animals", but they have very human foibles. The books have such an "otherworldly" sense about them, too - they transport the reader to another world. I reread these books to cheer myself up when I feel bad. They are soothing, and they make you forget your troubles. I would recommend them to adults as well as to children.
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Summary: Perfect gift for kids or adults
Review: I've given at least 5 copies of this book to friends ranging in age from 8 to 50, and everyone I've given it to has loved it. Moomintroll's adventures here are less rollicking than in the earlier Moomin books, but that's in keeping with the wintry setting of the story. Jansson is expert at combining sly, sometimes dark humor with a sense of wonder and delight in the world. The mood is quiet, sometimes somber, but somehow reading this book always makes me feel happy and content. Probably my favorite in this wonderful series.
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Summary: Brave New World
Review: Moomintroll did what no other Moomin in the history of the world has ever done. He woke up in the middle of his Winter Sleep. He sees a world he never saw before. He is by turns frightened, lonely, persevering, and at times just a mite irritated. Thus begins this charming tale told with subtlety and grace by the talented Tove Jansson.The creatures may be strange and wondrous, but somehow we feel as if we might have met them before someplace. Haven't we all known someone like the Hemulen: large, cheerful, energetic without a mean bone in his body who always wants us to enjoy the cold brisk air and strenuous sports with him-and why is it we don't exactly like him very well? The descriptions of Moomin world are lovely and fanciful. Early spring clouds are "scatterbrained" rushing along. The Great Cold is beautiful, but ominous. This is a book for all ages. It saddens me my children are not young enough to be read to anymore. The Moomins, like Winnie the Pooh, are perfect read-alouds with assured discussions afterward. A lovely book. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Subtle and wonderful
Review: Moomintrolls usually sleep through the long winter, but when the moon shines upon him, Moomintroll awakes one January to discover an alien world of cold and snow while the rest of his family sleeps on. (Moomintrolls are not trolls as we commonly think of them, but handsome little round fellows - see the picture on the cover. That's Moomintroll on the left in the brown coat.) At first he feels terribly alone in this strange season, but he soon discovers companions in the form of Too-Ticky, a sensible creature who has taken up residence in the bathing house, and Little My, a devil-may-care little critter known from other Moomin books in the series. Alongside these friends Moomintroll faces the winter, with its freezing cold blasts, sledding on tea trays, equinox bonfires, ice fishing, and blizzards that promise spring. He soon discovers that the winter landscape is full of lonely, oddball (and comical) creatures who are not around at other times of year, and does his best to shelter and entertain them in the Moominhouse. Like all of Jansson's fine Moomin books, this one astounds me with its ability to convey power and subtle emotion with just a few choice words. Her exquisite attention to the aspects of the season, as well as to the sensitive inner worlds of her characters, render this a masterpiece. (Its subtleties, both comic and deeper, might perhaps be appreciated by slightly offbeat children who like a little peace and quiet sometimes to be alone with their thoughts.)
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Summary: As usual, a marvellous read for both kids and grown-ups.
Review: This book and its' companions changed my life. And many others. Tove Jansson's Moomin series is without doubt the finest children's literature ever. And it must be said that it's in the running for the finest literature ever, period. 'Midwinter' is somewhat more somber in tone than the earlier Moomin books, but does not yet approach the dark, lonely colors Jansson paints with in the last two parts of the series. Full of memorable sequences and fairy-tale imagery, this book is guaranteed to delight children and induce in adults a painfully strong yearning for the days of their childhood.
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC
Review: This book is simply FANTASTIC. I first read it when I was 8 (20+ now). It has a sense of wonder to it, that really undefinable suspension of reality where you go with the "flow". I dont want to give the story away, but every child under 10 should read this book. Adults will probably like it too. To me the this is in my top 10 books of all time. (And I read a lot). The only thing that comes close to comparing for children (in my opinion) is the short story "The Little Prince"
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Summary: Moominland Midwinter
Review: This is my favorite Moominland book. I realize I'm probably a bit old--okay, more than a bit--to be reading these books, but I can't help myself. They are so adorable. They make me laugh when I'm having a bad day, or any time, for that matter.
In this story, Moomintroll wakes up and it's still the middle of winter! As everyone knows, Moomins sleep during the winter, and wake up when it's spring. Moomintroll can't go back to sleep, so he goes out into the snow to explore. Accompanied by the evil, feisty Little My (my favourite), the steady, genial Too-Ticky, and several other winter creatures, Moomintroll must adjust to winter.
No, it's not a high-seas adventure or a murder mystery. It's for fun! I've read it several times over, usually after I get really tired of being serious, and for some reason it never gets boring.
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Summary: simply her best
Review: THIS IS THE BEST of the entire moomintroll series! This is a bridge between the early, silly books, (still great for the under 10 crowd) and the later, more mysterious and melancholy books (Moominvalley in November, Moominpappas memoirs). My aunt and finnish uncle gave me this book eons ago, and it has been with me for as long as I can remember. The imagery is incredibly haunting, and it will linger in your memory. Imagine awaking in a lonely world without sunshine, and finding a world that is alive while you slept, friends in dark corners, and the thud of drums in the deep night. I've since read and re-read the series and enjoyed them all, but this is the only one I return to year after year. Enjoy!
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