Moominsummer Madness (Moomins, 4)

Very nice edition, hard cover, published in UK, it has a folded map of Moomin valley in the beginning. The book is slightly smaller, but the font is perfect. Not to say, one of Tove Jansson's best creations, profound and genius writing, beautiful illustrations, it's a pure piece of joy.

As endearing, imaginative, quirky, wise and rich in incident & character as "A Midsummer Night's Dream," this story of the great tsumani/tidal wave at Moomin Valley & what the Moomins discovered blends with a second theme: what Snuffkin's settling a deep & bitter score with the Park Keeper brought in the way of 24 small woodies who call Snufkin (Snufkin, of all people!), "Pappa.'The drawings are splendidly suited to the text and vice versa. Never a wave so tidal, never a stage so full of high drama, and never Snufkin, Little My, the Filljonk and more brought more fully alive! This book was born to be read aloud, acted out, and literally, to be ROF & LOL at the humor, the wisdom, and the amazing what-happens-next in the perplexities.It truly IS a Midsummer's Even madness, comedic, and the Moomins at their happiest. First off, cinders spot Moominmamma's fresh laundry, thanks to a far-away volcanic eruption. The eruption is soon followed by a tidal wave, swift and strong that drives all the family first on to their roof, then into a theater floating by. There in one of the funniest send-ups of The Theatre & iambic pentameter, the Moomins and their newest acquaintances---Emma the theatre rat, Whomper, and Misabel---enact a drama involving a lion.Meanwhile, Snufkin pursuig a lifelong determination to put the demogagic, mean mean mean Park Keeper out of business, encounters Little My whose sister, the Mymble's Daughter, acutely says, "Little My can take care of herself. I'm worried about the people whose paths she crosses." Together, they pursue their revenge which involves---as noted---the acquisition of wandering, independent, unattached Snufkin by 24 adorable young woodies. Snufkin as an anxious pappa is a revealation & tender delight.But wait, meanwhile, in the third strand, Moomintroll and the Snork Maiden who have been swept away in the flood encounter a depressed Fillyjonk, bringing their transformative love into creating a great Midsummer Night's bonfire than gets them into the clutches of a Hemulic jailkeeper!And, and, and-----this just BEGINS the story! The tale so far is not a spoiler.A joy for children of all ages, Jansson at her (and our) happiest and best! Yes, there are shadows yet while being terrified, miserable, anxious CAN be a feeling, it does NOT define one's life or one's own feelings with a little help from our friends.

Excellent children’s book that is palatable to adults and has something to say about the concept of family and the toils and benefits of theatre.And there’s art!Well written, insightful and humorous. Highly recommended.

Moomin is a staple in our house around bedtime, or anytime, and Moomin Midsummer Madness doesn’t disappoint. We picked this one up for Ostara this year and have since read it several times. 10/10

Joy to read, this is one of my favorites. If you have not read any of the Moomin books you are missing out. Young or old.

I absolutely love these book, from the first time my grandmother read them to me as a child, and beyond. I reread them every few years.

All the Moomin books are classics, and no one illustrated stories like Tove Jansson. Every child should own a Moomin story!

Children’s Classic. Don’t grow up without reading this or at least reading it to your own children. It will last a life time.

I bought the rest of the Moomins collection to complete what I'd already got, so I haven't yet read this story! I'm reading the books in order of publication, so am now on Moominpapa's memoirs. I was delighted by Tove Jansson's tales. They are surprising, whimsical, funny, imaginative, wry, and joyful. The Special Collector's Edition includes many of the author's own illustrations, plus maps (in at least two of the volumes). The books are perfect to hold, and the text is laid out well. They are an homage to vintage children's books yet are not fusty or retro; these are a marvellous, other-worldly contribution to the canon of children's literature. A great read for parents and children (parents can always improvise when the language gets a bit more difficult for the younger ones). Chuckle and enjoy!

This is my favourite Moomin book by far, very enjoyable to read as an adult or child. This just beats my second favourite book Finn family Moomintrol. The special edition books are wonderfull to collect and I have brought them all. Very impressed by the Quality and the fact that some of them have these wonderfull fold out Maps inside.

I've been reading the books slowly in order of publication. Each one so far has been slightly different in tone and angle. Who wouldn't fall in love with the wonderful comforting world of Moomin. The characters face trials and disasters constantly, but their fortitude is inspiring. Tove doesn't sugarcoat that life isn't tough, but she shows us that through bravery and sticking together we can get through it. I would recommend to children and adults of any age.

I'm 41 and long have I loved the Moomins and are perhaps my favourite of all children's stories.Tove Jansson created lovable and quirky characters, characters that you instantly feel reflect your own personality, with a simple message that a simple way of life and a life of acceptance is best, set in a beautiful land where nature is also a leading character.Here is the fifth in the series, Moominsummer Madness, where a volcanic eruption causes Moomin Valley to flood which forces all the Moomin family to take refuge on a floating stage along with new characters such as Misabel, by far my favourite character from the Moomin series.While it doesn't quite compare with most people's favourite Finn Family Moomintroll it does have it's magical moments and deserves five stars from me purely for the joy that is Misabel.

The moomin books are magical. My 7 year old and I just love them!