First published as Trollkarlens Hat (1948). Translated by Elizabeth Portch (1958). First published in England by Ernest Benn 1950. First published by Puffin Books 1961. Paperback, 151 pages.
Cover and illustrations by the author.

The blurb:

Poor little chap! He had been turned into a very strange animal indeed …

Although they’re small, fat and shy creatures, Moomins have the most amazing adventures. It all begins when Moominpappa tries on a magic hat that makes exciting and funny things happen.

***
Moomins are Finland’s gift to the world: Even though Moomin books are meant for children, both grownups and kids love them.
Most of us Finns have read these books as translated versions because Tove Jansson wrote in Swedish.
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***

Tove (Marika) Jansson (1914—2001) at Pegasos — A literature related site in Finland
The Moomin World and its creator by Thomas Warburton at Virtual Finland
Tove Jansson by Pekka Tarkka at Virtual Finland
Tove Jansson at Wikipedia

Moomin Characters
Moomin at Wikipedia

The Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum
Moomin Museum at Wikipedia

Finn Family Moomintroll will be on its way to Canada tomorrow. Moomins are going to meet kobie03, who won this book in a Moomin draw.

I hope you’ll enjoy the book!

Today, I had lunch with CatharinaL and myntti. Among other things, we were discussing the Moomins and wondering if they are too culture-specific. They are children’s books but the fact is that in Finland also grown-ups read, re-read and love them. For us, they are philosophic statements. We see a kind of Moomin ideology in them; something about tolerating and accepting difference and diversity, being just what you are, etc. (That’s the way I see them, at least.) Anyway, we were wondering if it’s even possible for a non-Finn to see them in the same way.
That’s why I hope that after reading the book (if you read it, that is), you’ll make a journal entry telling how you liked it. And if you didn’t, please, don’t hesitate to say so. I’m just curious. :)

Edit Oct. 8, 2008. Mailed the book today. It should arrive Canada in 5 - 7 working days (by the end of next week).

Book arrived today with a cute moomintroll postcard. Thanks so much. I'll read this soon and make a JE.I love your bookplate, it describes Bookcrossing very clearly.

Loved this book. A perfect account of celebrating life, the small joys as well as the big ones. Accepting each other as we are. Adults can learn a lesson from this book. Thanks so much for sharing this book with me. Now it's off to a Bookcrosser in Hungary to spread the Moomins philisology a little further.

WOW! I got my Birthday Pack! Lovely, Lovely, Lovely... :-)))
I am so happy! Thank you kobie03!
**
Update: 2009.03.26.
I could hardly believe!! :-D
As I was reading the book it was somehow familiar to me.. and I solved!! I have a picture book on Moomins in Japanese language, the "Hat Story" in which Moomintroll changes into a strange being. Lovely!!! I am soooo Haaaapy!!! xxxxx

**** I offer this book for a BookRing ****

Please Note This Information:
I ask you, as I also do towards other people's rings and rays, please take care of my book and the others who would like to read this too. Actually I have spent more money on it in order to share with you, thus I ask you, please pay attention to the followings:

After getting the book, respect the following readers and me to inform us about the situation of our book. In this case here are some guidelines:
- make journal about getting,
- read it within 4 weeks to keep the ring move along,
- update your journal to tell us your progress,
- in advance try to ask the next reader's address to be able to mail the book after finishing,
- make a journal in case of a delay - more than 4 weeks -, to inform the others and me about the situation
- finally after the finishing share your thoughts with us.

Participants:
1. alassante - ITA - within EU
2. lucy-lemon UK - within EU
3. AgnesXNitt - UK - within EU
4. Tsjara - NED, prefer EU, int't if it needs
5. Klaradyn - South Afrika - int'l
6. Colombina - GER
7. kicking-back - GBR
Home

Thanks your participation in my ring.
Have a nice read to all of you!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Finally I have got ready the packet for travelling. After work I am going to send it.
It goes by airmail.

The Moomins were waiting for me in my mailbox today :)))))))))
It's such a cute book, and I will start reading it right away (well, tonight :)))
Thank you for sharing, Hakkalina, and thank you also for the postcard and for the bookmark. Funny, I think I have never seen this design here, although it's italian ^_^

I adored this book!

I remembered the Moomins a bit vaguely from books I read when I was a child (for some very happy reason, in the early 1970s Italian children were blessed with scandinavian literature: Pippi, Emil, the White Stone, the Moomins...such nice memories ^_^ )
I admit the Moomins also sort of scared me a bit back then, the way a child can be "disturbed" by such surreal and out of the ordinary characters and situations. But I liked it, and I liked to relive that again! :))))

Reading them now, with a more - ;) - adult perspective, I am aware of the ideology Tarna mentioned, clear behind these funny characters and adventures.
There's a pharagraph right a couple of pages from the beginning that struck me already, which says: "And so Moominhouse was rather full — a place where everyone did what they liked and seldom worried about tomorrow. Very often unexpected and disturbing things used to happen, but nobody ever had time to be bored, and that is always a good thing."
I think that says a lot ^_^
This, and the incredible variety of strange characters that fill up Moominhouse, whose doors seem to be always open, new bedrooms ready to be set up, and pancakes prepared for unexpected visitors and new arrivals of any size or appearance.
I also find the character of Snufkin particularly interesting, with his dislike for possession and owning things, his longing for far away places, and an almost anarchic refusal to live according to rules and routine.
Well, maybe I am reading too much into it (but maybe not ^_^)

I already have Lucy-Lemon address(es), so I'll keep the book for a couple of days more -yes, I admit it's hard to part from the Moomins...- and then I'll let them go :))

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

The Moomins are now travelling, ready to be loved by more people.
By the way, I find the introduction adorable and very fitting: Moominmamma's letter to foreign children, before the "whole Finnfamily Moomintroll goes abroad" ^_^

Arrived this morning, and I'm very excited to read it! Aiming to read it and sending on asap.

I've been on holiday down near Newquay for a week so only picked this up today. Many thanks for sending on LucyLemon!
I look forward to reading this book as I had temporarily forgotten about the Moomins til my Baby Bruvver (31) bought me back a Mama Moomin from a recent Martial Arts related trip in Finland - hence my joining this ring.
I vaguely remember the cartoon being on UK tv sometime in the 1980's - but I don't think I ever investigated the original text - time for a learning experience :)
Thanks for hosting this one Hakkalina, I shall not hold it for long!

Aw - how cute! A lovely relaxed slightly silly read which I finished today whilst at lunch at work. Many thanks again to Hakkalina for hosting this ring, I loved the line drawings of the Moomin family. My favourite bits were the magical renderings of the Hobgoblin's Hat, and the celebrations over the finding of MoominMamma's Handbag :) Got a bit worried for the Snork Maiden when she temporarily lost her beautious fringe, but I'm sure the wavy regrowth was more flattering!
PM'ing Tsjara for her addy and hope to get this one travelling soonest :)

Posted this morning from Godmanchester Post Office - so it'll be orf in the lunchtime collection to start it's journey to the Netherlands today!
Happy Travels the Moomin Family and Happy Reading to Tsjara :)

The book arrived here safely today. Thank you AgnesXNitt for sending it on and for the lovely postcard :)
I can't wait to start with this one, but I still have another bookring in front of it. I remember watching the Moomin cartoons when I was little, though I have never read any of the books. My favorite character then was Snufkin :)
Thanks Hakkalina for sharing (and the bookmark, it's really cute ^-^)

Finished it a few days ago and loved it :) It was fun to read about these funny little creatures and their wonderful adventures. My favorite part was when they were on the Hattifatteners island, oh and the bit with the jungle in the house (wouldn't it be great fun if you had a jungle in your house ^-^). And Snufkin is still my favorite character, he seems a bit of a ehm.. free spirit (can't think of a better word), preferring to ramble on his own and not caring for material things. He also seems to know a lot. (Though I think I just liked his green hat when I was little). And I also love the drawings, they are so cute :)

At the last chapter there were a few lines which I thought were quite fitting (for the time I was reading them): "It was the end of August - the time when owls hoot at night and flurries of bats swoop noiselessley over the garden... There was expectation and a certain sadness in the air, and the harvest moon came up huge and yellow."

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Now on its way to Klaradyn in South Africa. Enjoy!

Save journey little book :)

Arrived today, thanks for sending, Tsjara. Will read this one as soon as possible and pass on.

I discovered the Moomin books through Bookcrossing, something I'm very glad about. Like other journallers have mentioned, the books are special for their "ideology" of acceptance and open-mindedness. Also, they are whimsical and charming and have wonderful drawings!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Now on the way to Colombina in Germany. I used airmail so the book should be there quite soon.

My book # 60 for guinaveve's Keep Them Moving challenge.

Arrived savely in Germany today - thank you very much for sharing and sending!!
What a beautiful book, obviously designed with love and care... I hope I'll can read it soon.

Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful book! I have already seen pictures of the Moomins, but I have never before read one of the books and I am very happy to have done it now. It is so good, after working for many hours, to take a trip to peaceful Moominland by reading.

I have found many scenes very touching and I am surprised at how the author manages to create an entertaining, eventful and sometimes even suspenseful story without relating violence of any sort (well, maybe the ant-lion would not quite agree with that point of view :-)) or any kind of evil which does not prove to be not evil at all in the end. The story provides a brilliant example of how very different people/creatures can live together in harmony and can have fun together by just staying open-minded.

By the way: I have seen on the internet that there is currently an exhibition in Germany called "Schweben – Träumen – Leben. Tove Janssons Mumin-Geschichten" (Floating, dreaming, living. The Moomin stories by Tove Jansson) including various activities (lectures, workshops etc.) for adults and children (unfortunately nowhere near me). They even show a "real" Moominhouse (apparently you can step into it and see how they live) and the boat...

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I am very sorry for the delay!!! First I had PM problems, then a "frightening" workload to cope with...
The book is now on its way to England.
Thanks again for sharing!
Happy reading, Kicking-Back!

Hi. I apologise for the huge delay in making this journal entry. The book arrived safely in England, unfortunately circumstances currently find me without the time or inclination for reading. I apologise once again and send the book on its homeward journey tomorrow.

Thanks everyone to participate in my ring!! :)
It is time to relax a bit before...

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I have lend it to barashika :)
We met and had a great time, talking and drinking some tea...