In all, nine books were released in the series, together with five picture books and a comic strip, between 1945 and 1993.

The Book
Moominvalley is the main setting of the Moomin franchise, a fictional place where the Moomin and many of their friends live in the tales by Tove Jansson. The valley is surrounded by mountains and is close to the sea. According to the map from 'Moominvalley in November' it is next to the Fillyjonk's valley. It is implied to be located somewhere on the Finnish coast, although various media depict the valley in different ways.

The Author
Tove Jansson (1914–2001) was born into an artistic family - her father was a sculptor and her mother a graphic designer and illustrator. Jansson herself studied at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, and L'École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Jansson had a fine understanding of collecting, something to which she gives voice through Moomintroll's conversation with Hemulen:

"'It's finished. There isn't a stamp, or an error that I haven't collected.
Not one. What shall I do now?'

'I think I'm beginning to understand,' said Moomintroll slowly. 'You aren't a collector anymore, you're only an owner, and that isn't nearly so much fun'".

The Map
Titled 'Map of Moomin Valley' and centred on Moomin House, the map incorporates plans of both floors of Moomin House at lower right, an inset view of Hattifattener's Island at upper left, and a compass rose above a bird's-eye view of the Misty Mountains.

The map leans heavily on Bernard Sleigh's 'Faeryland', with green slopes, rivers, fruit trees, flowers and a place for calm. Moominvalley was inspired by Ängsmarn, a Jansson family retreat in Sweden. Moominvalley is also a manifestation of Jansson's escapism; she often fantasized about establishing a colony in Morocco or moving to The Basque Country or Tonga.