Tove and the Island with No Address

Soloy (A Tulip in Winter) doesn't so much directly recount an episode from the life of Moomin creator Tove Jansson (1914-2001) as contemplate Jansson's world, a place that here seems to morph between the real and the imaginary. When Tove is seven, she, her parents, and her baby sibling voyage to the island "with no address" where they summer every year. "There were very few people on the island but no shortage of things to do. Dangerous things, boring things, digging things, exploring things...." Digital spreads in stormy earth tones employ splashes of red for Tove's boots and startling yellow for her hair. The first morning, she awakens early to visit her secret friend, a small, hairy, grotto-dwelling creature whose five obstreperous, shell-size daughters cause endless trouble. Tove takes the five onionlike beings to the beach, but they're almost immediately blown away in a gale. The adventure channels the darkly mischievous tone for which Jansson's works are beloved ("She tucked the girls into her pocket, where they couldn't bite her") and re-creates the strange, wild atmosphere of the island in this windblown tribute to the creator's artistry and sensibility. Ages 4-7. Agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. (Oct.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 3--A small adventure inspired by the life and childhood of Tove Jansson, who created the Moomin books. Tove's family lives on an island every summer. Few others live there, but Tove, with yellow hair and white skin, has no trouble finding things to do. On her first morning, she heads out early to see what the sea has washed up on the shore, but first goes to visit her secret friend, a creature living in a rock cave with five seashell-sized daughters. They don't have much in common, but that doesn't get in the way of their friendship. As a gift to the harried father, Tove takes the tiny girls with her on her walk, safe in her pocket. When the weather turns stormy and the wind picks up, Tove takes the girls out to check on them. Whoosh, a gust of wind blows them away. She follows the sounds of their laughter as the wind blows them to the skeleton tree in the last bay. After restoring the feisty children to their father, Tove makes her way home where family, warmth, love, and pancakes await her. The palette of Soloy's atmospheric illustrations, inspired in part by Jansson's works, features yellows, greens, reds, and browns. She deftly portrays the emotions of both humans and creatures while the island and the storm are characters in their own right. A mix of full- and half-page spreads with light and dark aspects keeps the story balanced and flowing. Back matter includes an afterword on Jansson's life. VERDICT This story has it all: a loving family, an unusual friend, an unexpected storm, adventure, and a happy ending.--Catherine Callegari

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

All readers will find the handsome illustrations a wonder, while Tove Jansson enthusiasts will adore the homage.