Philip Ardagh to pen guide to The Moomins

Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) is set to publish what it describes as the first official "guide” to the Moomins this October.

The World of Moominvalley, which will be released on 19th October, is part of a publishing partnership brokered between Stephanie Barton (publisher 0-6 at MCB), Caroline Mickler of Caroline Mickler Ltd and Rights and Brands, Rights and Brands have the global rights for the Moomin books and Caroline Mickler is the UK agent.

MCB holds world rights to a new series of Moomin titles, which included The Moomin Colouring Book, which was published in February 2016.

The World of Moominvalley will be written by Philip Ardagh, with a forward and chapter by Frank Cottrell Boyce, and will feature original illustrations and rarely seen material about Tove Jansson’s series from the Moomin archive in Finland. Topics include ‘how to spot a Moomin’ and ‘the extended Moomin family tree’.

Barton said: “We are so thrilled to introduce this first guide to the characters of Moominvalley, which celebrates Tove Jansson’s unique and wonderful world. This funny, insightful and gorgeous new book is the ultimate Moomin experience: an ideal gift for Moomin-lovers of all ages and as an introduction for a whole new audience.”

This year will also see a number of Moomin events in the UK, including an immersive exhibition at the Southbank Centre and an Easter Festival at Kew Gardens.