Tove Jansson was born in 1914, and grew up in Helesinki, with her mother, Signe Hammarsten Jansson, and father, Viktor Jansson. Both her parents were artists, and she grew up in a home influenced greatly by creativity.
She wrote her first book, The Little Trolls And The Great Flood, in 1939, and it was later published in 1945. This was the beginning of the moomin series which really took off when Comet In Moominland was published in 1945. This was soon followed by Finn Family Moomintroll (1948), Exploits of Moominpappa/Moominpappa's memoirs (1950), Moominsummermadness (1954), Moominland Midwinter (1957), Tales from Moominvalley (1962), Moominpappa At Sea (1965), and Moominvalley in November in 1970.
She also was a respected and great illustrator, and has illustrated great classics such as Alice in Wonderland, and The Hobbit. There are also moomin-based picture books: Who will comfort Toffle? (1960), A Book about Moomin Mymble and Little My (?), and A Dangerous Journey (?).
She did many great things in her life, even given the title of honorary professor, and recieving 50 awards and nominations. Sadly, tove passed away after a long illness on June 27, 2001. She will always be remembered. |
