Tove! – Tove Jansson’s Journey to Freedom and the Edge of the World
By Sanna Pelliccioni and Leena Virtanen
A beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book sheds light on the travels of Tove Jansson after she stopped writing about the Moomins. This is a story of farewells and the courage and inspiration to embark on a new path.
Tove Jansson is one of the most accomplished and honoured Finnish artists of all times. She achieved international fame as the creator of the world-famous Moomins. While her life revolved around the Moomins, she longed for something else.
Tove embarks on a around the world trip with her partner Tooti. At their first stop in Japan, Tooti gets hold of a Super 8 mm film that captures Tove’s travels around the globe: in Hawaii, the ancient temples in Mexico and the United States. During the voyage, Tove finds the freedom and inspiration to create something new. Tooti’s tiny camera also captures memories and life abroad. Tove Jansson’s masterpiece, The Summer Book was also penned during these travels.
The Finnish Superwomen picture books, created by Leena Virtanen and illustrator Sanna Pelliccioni, is a wonderful illustrated series, that explores the lives of Finnish artists and notable cultural personas: Minna Canth, Ellen Thesleff, Eeva Kilpi Fredrika Runeberg and Larin Paraske. Tove Jansson is the latest independent title in the series.
Publishing information
Rights sold
- Estonia
Awards & nominations
Awards
2023
Queer Non-Fiction Book of the Year
Reviews
“The The Finnish Superwomen series is an admired and praised series that crosses genre boundaries. It is characteristic of the series not to underestimate the supposed young reader, but it has also received a warm reception in the field of work with the elderly. The Finnish Superwomen series gives a face to Finland’s many influential women and creates multi-level connections with today. Even though the Finnish Superwomen picture book series is a combination of illustration and text, Leena Virtanen, as the author of the series, is nominated for the award.”
"The idea and the execution are successful, as Japan, Mexico, Hawaii and other countries offer great opportunities for illustration, which Pelliccioni has exploited to great effect. The book is not only beautiful as an object, but also allows for action: with a single opening, the book is turned upside down as the text flows beautifully along the pages."
