MOOMIN!

Ok so.. Tove Jansson's Moomin books. I read them when I was young and now I'm collecting them again and rereading and becoming a bit obsessed.The characters she invented and drew so beautifully and whimsically are just Adorable and intriguing and I think they should be as 'big' as Harry Potter (but I'm also of course glad they're not...as it would be similar to the Hello Kitty overkill that's occurring and making me jaded to my little favorite meow!).
Best intro to the series is Finn Family Moomintroll and by then you should be hooked. Comet in Moominland is another of my favorites.
Here is a pic of the best moomin model I've seen yet. That's Moominmamma painting the mural and Little My on the floor with her drawings!*sigh*
http://www.tampere.fi/muumi/images/kuvasivu/mamma.jpg