Moominpappa's Memoirs
Grade 3-6-Moominpappa has a terrible cold and decides that the best thing to do under the circumstances is to remain quiet and compile his memoirs. In a ponderous manner, he writes of his escape from a foundling home, his link-ups with Joxter, Muddler, and Hodgekins, and the escapades that follow. He reads the chapters aloud to his own little Moomintroll and to the sons of his fellow adventurers. Often they react as many readers will: "But all those sad feelings...are a bit unnecessary. It's all so long." Warburton's translation retains the witty and clever tone of the Finnish writer's tales of Moominland, but the allusions and sardonic humor are often too sophisticated to appeal to the young audience this animal fantasy is likely to attract. For instance, Moominmanna responds to one of Moominpappa's readings, "'Everything'll be much more vivid if you have some passages where you aren't bragging.'" The story moves slowly and the characters, with the exception of the Muddler, don't come alive. A selection mainly for fans of the author's previous stories set in Moominland.Suzanne Hawley, Laurel Oak Elementary School, Naples, FLCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.