Moominpappa's Memoirs [Paperback]

Before he had a family, Moominpappa led a life of adventure and intrigue. But he's never told his story until now. He has a bad cold, and it's the perfect time to remember his youthful endeavors and to ponder the experiences which have made him the remarkable Moomin he is.

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 between the Finnish landscape, and Moominvalley and its
surrounding areas?
6. At one point in the series, Moomintroll leaves his house and goes out to discover
the world on his own. How is his adventure similar to growing up?
7. The Moomins are described as very tolerant characters. Reading through the
books, point out the scenes where this characterization is shown.
8. Do any of the characters change throughout the books? Do any stay the same?
Discuss.
9. If you could be any character from the Moomin books, which would you be and
why?

10. Can you identify with any of the characters in the books? How?

Tove Jansson(19142001) was born in Helsinki and spent much of her life in Finland. She is the author of the Moomin books, includingComet in MoominlandandFinn Family Moomintroll. 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, Cral£Â