“But who will comfort Toffle? Who will tell him ‘In the end, if all you do is hide away, you’ll never find a friend.'”

Who Will Comfort Toffle?
Tove Jansson

Tove Jansson’s universally appealing story of Toffle, a lonely, timid creature’s journey in search of friendship and confidence.

Who Will Comfort Toffle? sees Toffle driven from his home by the frightening noises of the forest. Too shy at first to approach the many colourful Moomin characters he passes along the way, he gains confidence by discovering a scared and lonely Miffle who needs his help. Toffle’s quest to save Miffle from the dreadful Groke is an inspiring tale that every child (and many adults) are sure to identify with.

Watch a mini-documentary about a book sure to steal your heart if you’ve ever felt lonely or afraid! Who Will Comfort Toffle? is one of Tove Jansson’s most popular books. This touching story about loneliness, friendship, and courage comes alive in animations narrated by Tove Jansson’s niece, Sophia Jansson. The mini-documentary also features interviews by Sophie Hannah, bestselling author and poet who has translated the book into English and publisher Natania Jansz. Music by Lauri Porra, animation by Carlos da Cruz.

Who Will Comfort Toffle? on the publisher Sort of Books’ website.

The book was first published in Swedish as Vem ska trösta knyttet? in 1960 and was translated into English the same year.