The adventures of the easygoing Moomintrolls have all the crispness and tart surprise of a lingonberry, thanks to Jansson's ineffably light touch, her uncanny sensitivity to universal childhood emotions, and her gift for terse,naturalistic dialogue.

When Moomintroll learns that a comet will be passing by, he and his friend Sniff travel to the Observatory on the Lonely Mountains to consult the Professors. Along the way, they have many adventures, but the greatest adventure of all awaits them when they learn that the comet is headed straight for their beloved MoominvaUey.

CHAPTER I

 Which is about Moomintroll and Sniff following a mysterious

 path to the sea, pearl-fishing, the discovery of a cave, and

 how the Muskrat avoided catching a cold.

CHAPTER II

 Which is about stars with tails.

CHAPTER III

 Which is about how to manage crocodiles.

CHAPTER IV

 Which is about the meeting with Snufkin and a terrible

 experience with a giant lizard.

CHAPTER V

 Which is about the underground river and rescue by a

 Hemulen.

CHAPTER VI

 Which is about the adventure with the eagle and the finding

 of the Observatory.

CHAPTER VII

 Which is about how Moomintroll rescues the Snork Maiden

 from a poisonous bush and in which the comet appears in

 the sky.

CHAPTER VIII

 Which is about the Village Stores and a party in the forest.

CHAPTER IX

 Which is about a fantastic crossing of the dried-up sea and

 how the Snork Maiden rescues Moomintroll from a giant

 octopus.

CHAPTER X

 Which is about a Hemulen's stamp-collection, a swarm of

 grass-hoppers, and a horrible tornado.

CHAPTER XI

 Which is about a coffee-party, the flight to the cave, and the

 arrival of the comet.

CHAPTER XII

 Which is about the end of the story.