The Bookseller.com

23rd November 2009

Puffin plans new Moomin range

20.10.08 Caroline Horn

Puffin is to create a new range of preschool and picture book titles based on the iconic Moomin books written by Tove Jansson. Puffin already publishes the existing Moomin novels in the UK and will repackage all eight Moomin novels in 2009 including one title, Moomin Papa at Sea, that is out of print.

The preschool books will be high end gift novelties, activity books and board books. There will also be a number of picture books with completely new Moomin stories, although keeping to Moomin’s values of "humour, imagination, tolerance and wholesomeness" said Puffin publicity director Adele Minchin.

The deal was agreed with Bulls Press, the Moomin global licensing agent, and Parthenon, the UK licensing agent. Puffin will be selling rights in the new books at Bologna 2009 and will publish the new Moomin range in 2010, the year Moomin celebrates its 65th anniversary.

Originally written in Swedish, the Moomintroll books have been translated into 34 languages and have been adapted for television, film, opera and radio. They were first published in 1945.

Caroline Horn Penguin children's Puffin The Moomins

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