This Moomin Mug coffee table book – like the mugs themselves – is a must-have for any Scandinavian home

Open just about any kitchen cabinet in Scandinavia and you’re sure to find one very specific thing: a Moomin mug. In fact, you’ll probably find more than one. Regardless of one’s taste or background, one’s age or neighbourhood, we all (more or less) take our morning coffee in the same colourful vessel. To celebrate the beloved Moomin mug, Arabia, which have been manufactured by Arabia since 1990, has created a covetable coffee table book charting the unprecedented success of his humble home object. The latest item to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Tove Jansson’s Moomins, Moomin Mugs, which releases August 9th, is sure to be scooped up by both die-hard Moomin mug collectors and casual mug appreciators alike.

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Though Tove Jansson passed away in 2001, each year Arabia introduces new mugs, painstakingly based on her original artworks. Eager to have a complete set, collectors scoop up each new release, particularly the annual anniversary mug. In fact, each year on the August 9th anniversary, tens of thousands queue up to get their hands on the limited edition Moomin's Day mug. Today, some mugs are worth up to $27,500.

“The design process always begins with the original artwork and stories. We’re committed to preserving the tone and visual integrity of the originals. As we’ve moved into new product categories, collaboration across the design team has become increasingly important – especially in shaping the seasonal colour palette and the overall concept for each collection,” says Parvati Pillai, the illustrator who began designing the new mugs in 2023. She also works closely with Moomin Characters, which is still operated by members of Jansson’s family, to maintain the integrity of the designs.

For this special anniversary year, Pillai and her team developed a mug based on the very first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood. “While going through the book, one particular illustration really caught my attention,” she says. “The illustration shows the characters nestled beneath the leaves, Moomin trying to fall asleep in a new and unfamiliar place. There is something quite endearing about the way he snuggles next to Moominmamma.”

Pillai’s personal favourite mug, however, is “Friendship”. Produced in 2018, the mug was the very first one she came across when moving from India to Finland. “I instantly connected with the story behind it - 'Who will comfort Toffle?' - especially the theme of being brave and making the first move in a new and unfamiliar world,” she says. “It mirrored my own journey of starting over in a new country.”

The book, meanwhile, serves a dual purpose. Not only is it a beautiful addition to any coffee table, it also serves as a great reference point for collectors, documenting the complete collection of mugs released so far. As an added it bonus, it comes with a special Moomin’s Day mini mug. “It also showcases the stories and passion of long-time fans,” Pillai adds. “Offering a heartfelt glimpse into the wonderful community that has formed around the Moomin Arabia mugs.”