This is Tove Jansson's first Moomin book, printed in 1945 and first edition. The Moomins and the Great Flood introduces Moomin history and traditions, from living in porcelain stoves to staying indoors during winter. This first Moomin story was written in the shadow of the war and features a displaced family looking for a new home. But despite daunting dangers and catastrophes, it all ends well ? as the Moomins find a home in what is to become Moominvalley. Tove Jansson wrote the story during the Winter War in Finland, which started in 1939. The theme of displaced families, homelessness and the threat of annihilation were all too familiar to millions of people around the world. Jansson fictionalised those sentiments, introducing a catastrophe, the great flood, as the frame of her first Moomin adventure. Natural catastrophes became frequent narrative concepts, which she developed further in many other Moomin books. But in her first Moomin story, as always, Tove Jansson wanted to give hope and comfort, so readers can rest assured that there will be a happy ending.