The Humpherys Family

Trouble With Trolls

Record Added: 12/20/2009
A Favorite Book
Author 
Illustrator 
Setting Norway
Topic Seasons: Winter
 Fairytales, Myths, Folklo
Publisher G.P. Putnams & Sons
ISBN 0399223363   Year 1992
Age 4-8   Pages 32
Description Printed dustjacket
 
Treva's trouble begins when she and her dog, Tuffi, go up Mount Baldy. She meets five white-haired trolls, all intent on taking Tuffi; they want a dog and have filled their underground burrow with the things such a pet would need. Quick-thinking Treva, using tactics worthy of Br'er Rabbit, convinces the trolls that her mittens, hat, sweater, etc., are much more important to her than a dog, but wins all her belongings back before she and Tuffi escape down the mountain.

Obviously influenced by Scandinavian folklore, the story is appealing. With the fine details that have become her trademark, Brett tells two stories at the same time: the child's encounters with the trolls appear on the top three-fourths of each spread, and a cross-section of their abode occupies the bottom. A humorous subplot involves a curious hedgehog. Set against a wintery, snow-capped background, the saturated colors seem to jump off the page.