Moomin's Winter Follies
The troll-like Moomins decide that hibernation is too much trouble and instead get involved with the self-aggrandizing and triangular-bodied Mr. Brisk, a sports-minded fellow. The Moomins, however, along with their usual pals, are not of athletic inclinations or builds, so their efforts to get with Mr. Brisk’s programs lead to falls through ice, unfortunate skiing paths, and so on. But worse, for Moomin especially, is that females seem to be crazy about Mr. Brisk—all of them from Mama Moomin to red-topknotted Mymble. Jansson’s tale works as well now as when she penned it a half century ago: a nice concoction of the sweet, the silly, the struggle, the gentle comeuppance, and the recovery of the Moomin status quo after their adventures. Several pages at the end of the volume offer full-size scenes from the story’s panels, with the chance to get close-up looks at Moomin facial expressions and the shivering that winter follies can induce. Grades 2-4. --Francisca Goldsmith