Moominsummer Madness facts for kids
First edition (Swedish)
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| Author | Tove Jansson |
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| Original title | Farlig midsommar |
| Translator | Thomas Warburton |
| Country | Finland |
| Language | Swedish |
| Series | Moomins |
| Genre | Children's novel |
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Publication date
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1954 |
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Published in English
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1955 |
| ISBN | 0140305017 (English) |
| Preceded by | The Exploits of Moominpappa |
| Followed by | Moominland Midwinter |
Moominsummer Madness is the fourth book in the popular Moomin series. It was written by Tove Jansson and first published in 1954. The original Swedish title is Farlig midsommar, which means "Dangerous Midsummer."
This story is all about the world of theatre. It shows how creating a play can be tricky but also very rewarding. The book was later used for episodes 28–30 of the 1990 Moomin TV series.
Contents
What Happens in the Story?
The Flood and the Floating Theatre
A huge flood hits Moominvalley because of a nearby volcano. The Moomin family and their friends have to escape the rising water. They find a strange building floating by and decide to move in.
At first, they think it's just an empty house. But then they meet Emma, who lives there. Emma explains that it's not a house at all. It's actually a theatre! The Moomins start to learn about the stage, props, and costumes they find inside.
Moomintroll's Adventure
The theatre eventually gets stuck on land. Moomintroll and the Snorkmaiden decide to sleep in a tree for the night. When they wake up the next morning, the theatre has floated away again. They are now all alone.
Meanwhile, Little My accidentally falls into the water. Luckily, Moomintroll's adventurous friend Snufkin rescues her. Snufkin is on his way to get back at a grumpy Park Keeper. He pulls down all the "Do not walk on the grass" signs. He also fills the lawns with electric Hattifatteners. Then he sets free twenty-four small woodies, who immediately see him as their father.
Arrests and a Play
Moomintroll and the Snorkmaiden meet the Fillyjonk, who is Emma's deceased husband's niece. The three of them get arrested for burning the signs that Snufkin tore up.
Back at the theatre, Emma helps Moominpappa write a play. The Moomin family decides to put on the show. The woodies find a poster for the play. They convince Snufkin to take them to the theatre.
The Hemulen who arrested Fillyjonk, Moomintroll, and the Snorkmaiden also finds a play poster. He leaves his cousin to guard the prisoners. He then heads off to see the play. The cousin is convinced that the prisoners are innocent. He lets them go so they can also go to the play.
The Grand Reunion
Everyone ends up at the theatre. The play turns into a big reunion party on stage. When the floodwaters go down, everyone gets to go back home to Moominvalley.
