Finn Family Moomintroll, by Tove Jansson

Revisiting Moomin Valley after many years absence is a sheer pleasure. Written in the 1940s and 50s, the tales hold up just fine in the modern age, beautifully illustrated by the author and seamlessly translated. Set in a gorgeous natural world of spring and summer (because moomintrolls hibernate in winter), there are mountains to climb, rivers and seas to sail and forests to roam. Moomintroll and his friends enjoy feasts and treasures, exploration and adventures and meeting new and wonderful creatures. Their lives are not without fear or danger, but there is nothing that can’t be overcome by a practical approach to life and Moominmama’s cooking or Moominpapa’s homespun philosophy. Fun and kindness permeate the stories, which are a delight for children to read or listen to and for adults to read aloud.