TROLLS AT PLAY

A poetic, “fairytale-ish” picture book in a graphic-novel style.

It’s moving day for an unnamed boy and his family, who are headed to the Enchanted Village. Along the way, the boy sees fairy-tale characters and signs with poems that refer to well-known stories. The boy and his sister become increasingly curious as they meet the villagers, who pile into the back of their truck; the passengers include Humpty Dumpty, the Cheshire cat, and Cinderella. They finally arrive at “Grandma’s House,” the gingerbread house from “Hansel and Gretel.” All the various fairy-tale figures hop out of the family’s truck and help them move in. The message is clear that all are accepted as part of a community whose members help one another. Howell’s poems are rhythmic, humorous, and will entertain young readers, and Gledhill’s detailed, colorful illustrations enrich the story. Children will recognize familiar fairy tales and giggle at the odes and amusing speech bubbles. A minor flaw is that trolls are only minor characters despite the book’s title, although one sits on a chair in the family’s truck throughout the story. Howell includes reading comprehension questions at the end and some suggestions for “moving and considering new friendships.”

A well-told folklore-centered tale and a fun addition to any picture-book collection.