Quotes by Tove Jansson

About Tove Jansson:

Tove Marika Jansson was a Swedish-speaking Finnish novelist, painter, illustrator and comic strip author. For her contribution as a children's writer she received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1966.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

There are such a lot of things that have no place in summer and autumn and spring. Everything that’s a little shy and a little rum. Some kinds of night animals and people that don’t fit in with others and that nobody really believes in. They keep...

Tove Jansson

The hemulen woke up slowly and recognised himself and wished he had been someone he didn't know.

Tove Jansson

The lamp sizzled as it burned. It made everything seem close and safe, a little family circle they all knew and trusted. Outside this circle lay everything that was strange and frightening, and the darkness seemed to reach higher and higher and furth...

Tove Jansson

She had picked the spot the day before and carried out a stool low enough to sit on and still have her paintbox and her water cup within reach. Anna didn't use an easel. Easels seemed to her an altogether too assertive aid, too obvious. She liked to ...

Tove Jansson

When Mats came in the evenings, they would drink tea in the kitchen while reading their books and talking about them. If Katri came in, they were quiet and waited for her to leave. The back door would close, and Katri would have gone. “Does your si...

Tove Jansson

Man gjemmer ting og så begynner det å lukte.

Tove Jansson

You were talking about the wind," the Fillyjonk said suddenly. "A wind that carries off your washing. But I'm speaking about cyclones. Typhoons, Gaffsie dear. Tornadoes, whirlwinds, sandstorms... Flood waves that carry houses away... But most of all ...

Tove Jansson

He was the owner of the moonlight on the ground, he fell in love with the most beautiful of the trees, he made wreaths of leaves and strung them around his neck.

Tove Jansson

All men have parties and are pals who never let each other down. A pal can say terrible things which are forgotten the next day. A pal never forgives, he just forgets, and a woman forgives but never forgets. That's how it is. That's why women aren't ...

Tove Jansson

And that night he couldn't sleep, but lay looking out at the light June night which was full of lonely whisperings and rustlings and the pattering of feet. The air was sweet with the smell of flowers.

Tove Jansson

It looks rather ordinary," said the Snork. "Unless you consider that a top hat is always somewhat extraordinary, of course.

Tove Jansson

You can't ever be really free if you admire somebody too much.

Tove Jansson

Those damn Moomins. I don't want to hear about them any more. I could vomit on the Moomintrolls.

Tove Jansson

I wonder if the nursery and the chamber of horrors are as far apart as people think?

Tove Jansson

Dogs are mute and obedient, but they have watched us and know us and can smell how pitiful we are.

Tove Jansson

One makes a trip by day, but by night, one sets out on a journey.

Tove Jansson

A theatre is the most important sort of house in the world because that's where people are shown what they could be if they wanted and what they'd like to be if they dared to and what they really are.

Tove Jansson

Lie on the bridge and watch the water flowing past. Or run, or wade through the swamp in your red boots. Or roll yourself up and listen to the rain falling on the roof. It's very easy to enjoy yourself.

Tove Jansson

Sometimes it's better to look at things than own them... owning means anxiety and lots of bags to carry around.

Tove Jansson

Jag trur inte att jag helt och hållet är lesbisk... och mitt förhållande til männen er oförandrat.

Tove Jansson

Pearls' burst out the Snork Maiden excitedly. 'Could ankle rings be made out of pearls?' 'I should think they could,' said Moomintoll. 'Ankle-rings, and nose-rings and ear-rings and engagement rings...

Tove Jansson

Author Bio

  • NameTove Jansson
  • DescriptionFinnish children's writer and illustrator
  • BornAugust 9, 1914
  • DiedJune 27, 2001
  • CountryFinland
  • ProfessionPainter; Writer; Illustrator; Children's Writer
  • WorksMoomin
  • AwardsSelma Lagerlöf Prize; Hans Christian Andersen Award