Comet in Moominland [Paperback]

When Moomintroll learns that a comet will be passing by, he and his friend Sniff travel to the Observatory on the Lonely Mountains to consult the Professors. Along the way, they have many adventures, but the greatest adventure of all awaits them when they learn that the comet is headed straight for their beloved Moominvalley.

Forebodings about a star with a tail lead Moomintroll and his friend Sniff on a quest to a mountain observatory, but the real adventure begins when they learn a comet is headed for earth.

Tove Jansson(19142001) was born in Helsinki and spent much of her life in Finland. She is the author of the Moomin books. Born into an artistic familyher father was a sculptor and her mother was a graphic designer and illustratorJansson studied at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, and L'?cole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In addition to her Moomin books, she also wrote several novels, drew comic strips and worked as a painter and illustrator. In 1966, she was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her body of work. Jansson had a studio in Helsinki but spent most of her time at her home on a small island called Klovharu.

Discussion Questions

1. Compare and contrast Moominpappa and Moominmamma as parents.

2. The Moomin books feature several different female characters. Pick one and

discuss what makes her particularly strong and memorable.

3. The Moomins have been compared to A.A. Milne'sWinnie the Poohand Lewis

Carroll'sAlice's Adventures in Wonderland. Can you see the similarities?

4. Whenever there is trouble, the Moomins and their friends always seem to flock to

Moominmamma for help. What is it about Moominmamma's personality and

character that makes her so comforting?

5. Gather some information about Finland. After reading the information, can you

see any resemblance blc"