Review
Some of the things you will learn in D’Aulaires Trolls:
1.) The more heads a troll has the more terrible he is – likely related to how vexing it is to keep all of the heads fed.
2.) Speaking of heads - trolls have very dirty, itchy heads and prefer to have them scratched by princesses. They’ll take volunteers, but will take them by force if necessary.
3.) Most trolls have a splinter in their eyes which alters how they perceive themselves and the world around them.
And much more!
This is one of those books that is sure to enthrall just about any child with its lurid tales of these most ancient and fearsome beasts. There’s something for just about everyone here – thrills and chills, heroic deeds, plenty of gross-out moments and even some comic relief.
I grew up on D’Aulaires Greek Myths. Back in the day I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. It seems this husband and wife duo instinctively knew what kids would love. Reading it with older eyes I see that it is perhaps not quite as flawless as I had imagined – particularly the illustrations. And yet I still maintain that for a middle grade mythology/legend buff there is no better book. And the illustrations aren’t really bad – just a little ‘rustic’ (for lack of a better word), but distinctive and enjoyable in their own way. And that’s how the illustrations in Trolls are. I think most children will warm to them immediately as they do really suit the gruesome subject matter almost perfectly. But others (particularly of the grown-up persuasion) may remain immune to their funky little charms.
Something thing to note is that this is not at all arranged like Greek Myths – which is very tightly organized. Instead this is one long continuous series of stories – each one flowing into the other with no real stopping point. I thought this format was very delightful! It brought to mind an oral tradition of storytelling in which the children remain breathlessly rapt hoping that Grandpa doesn't recall that lights-out should have been twenty minutes ago.
1.) The more heads a troll has the more terrible he is – likely related to how vexing it is to keep all of the heads fed.
2.) Speaking of heads - trolls have very dirty, itchy heads and prefer to have them scratched by princesses. They’ll take volunteers, but will take them by force if necessary.
3.) Most trolls have a splinter in their eyes which alters how they perceive themselves and the world around them.
And much more!
This is one of those books that is sure to enthrall just about any child with its lurid tales of these most ancient and fearsome beasts. There’s something for just about everyone here – thrills and chills, heroic deeds, plenty of gross-out moments and even some comic relief.
I grew up on D’Aulaires Greek Myths. Back in the day I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. It seems this husband and wife duo instinctively knew what kids would love. Reading it with older eyes I see that it is perhaps not quite as flawless as I had imagined – particularly the illustrations. And yet I still maintain that for a middle grade mythology/legend buff there is no better book. And the illustrations aren’t really bad – just a little ‘rustic’ (for lack of a better word), but distinctive and enjoyable in their own way. And that’s how the illustrations in Trolls are. I think most children will warm to them immediately as they do really suit the gruesome subject matter almost perfectly. But others (particularly of the grown-up persuasion) may remain immune to their funky little charms.
Something thing to note is that this is not at all arranged like Greek Myths – which is very tightly organized. Instead this is one long continuous series of stories – each one flowing into the other with no real stopping point. I thought this format was very delightful! It brought to mind an oral tradition of storytelling in which the children remain breathlessly rapt hoping that Grandpa doesn't recall that lights-out should have been twenty minutes ago.
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