Trouble with Trolls

Treva and her dog Tuffi encounter mountain trolls while skiing in the Nordic wilderness. The trolls want to steal Tuffi for a pet, leading to a battle of wits between Treva and the persistent creatures. Brett's signature border illustrations show simultaneous scenes unfolding above and below the main artwork, creating visual layers to the storytelling. The detailed drawings capture the winter landscape and traditional Scandinavian clothing, architecture, and folk elements. The story demonstrates the value of quick thinking and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges. Through Treva's determination to protect her beloved pet, the book explores themes of loyalty, cleverness, and the bond between humans and animals.

Parents and teachers report the book engages children ages 4-8 through its detailed Nordic-inspired illustrations and clever storyline about outsmarting trolls. Readers highlight how the parallel stories shown in the page borders add depth for repeat readings. Liked: - Illustrations incorporate authentic Scandinavian clothing, architecture and landscapes - Teaches problem-solving and quick thinking - Cultural exposure to Norwegian folklore - Dog character Tuffi resonates with young readers Disliked: - Some found the troll characters too scary for very young children - Text density challenging for beginning readers - A few noted the story moves slowly in parts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (280+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (40+ ratings) "The border illustrations tell their own story - my kids discover new details each time we read it," noted one Amazon reviewer. Multiple teachers mentioned using it to teach prediction skills and problem-solving strategies.

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🌲 Jan Brett spent time in Norway researching the book's setting, studying traditional Norwegian clothing and architecture to create authentic illustrations 🏔️ The story draws from Scandinavian folklore, where trolls are known for collecting and hoarding treasures in their mountain homes 🐕 The breed of dog featured in the story is a Norwegian Elkhound, traditionally used for hunting and herding in Nordic countries 🎨 The book features Brett's signature detailed border illustrations, which offer hints about what will happen next in the story and show parallel storylines 🏡 The distinctive architectural style shown in the book, including grass-covered roofs, is based on traditional Norwegian buildings called "sod houses" which provided excellent insulation in cold climates