The Hobbit

J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and The Children of Hurin, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 60 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.

TOVE JANSSON (1914-2001), Finnish-Swedish writer and artist, achieved worldwide fame as the creator of the Moomins, written and illustrated between 1945 and 1970. The Moomins were, of course, only a part of Jansson's prodi- gious output. Already admired in Nordic art circles as a painter, cartoonist and illustrator, she would go on to write a series of classic novels and short stories. She remains Scandinavia's best- loved author. Tove Jansson's work reflected the tenets of her life: her love of family and nature, and her insistence on freedom to pursue her art. "Work and love" was the motto she chose for herself and her approach to both was joyful and uncompromising.