The Trolls

I read this book laughing out loud, sometimes with such gusto that tears streamed down my cheeks! Unlike some books targeted toward younger audiences, it doesn't "talk down" to the reader-which can often produce a watered-down and sleepy result. With an engaging, imaginative plot and language rich in flavor and tone, "Aunt Sally" spins a yarn that children and their parents can both enjoy "eavesdropping" into. Parts of the book deal with less carefree issues, but they are presented with such warmth and humor that it makes the moral (kindness) an entirely un-adverse pill to swallow. Don't expect the main focus of the plot to center around magical creatures, though. This is a story about Family, and all the crazy things that make a family what it is.

This is an excellent book. It was very funny and some parts made me laugh out loud. Although it was a humorous book, at some points it was just a little bit scary and the end almost didn't belong. Why would so funny a book have such a "tragic" ending? When I finished the book I was confused by its sad and half-scary conclusion. It being a children's book, I was expecting a happily-ever-after type ending. But when I thought about it, it made sense. The reason Aunt Sally was sympathetic towards PeeWee was because he reminded her of Robbie. And after they gave Robbie to the trolls, the family changed forever. I love what Aunt Sally said, "I guess knowing that your own trusted family could give you away, even in jest, well, it changes things." This book made me want to hug my little sister! "The Trolls" is very imaginatively written, and definitely worth reading.

I was more than pleasantly surprised by Julie Hagerty's perfect reading of "the Trolls", as was my 10 year old daughter, who will hardly listen to anything but the Harry Potter tapes for the 85th time these days(for all three volumes! )The story is charming, and in this audiobook version is accessible to even younger children. Because the action has some aspects which are more complex, but not necessary to understand to enjoy the narrative, the audio version could be understood by the average seven or eight year old quite easily, but still hold the interest of an adolescent. This greatly expands the range of children who can enjoy listening to the tape, and as a parent I found it held my interest as well.Two little girls, who delight in torturing their little brother, find a curious reflection in the stories their eccentric Aunt Sally tells them during their parents' week away. Aunt Sally is a "long lost" sister of their father's, and hearing the stories of his childhood in the third person is a fascinating and more important experience for them than is first apparent to the girls or to the reader/listener.The humor in the story is nicely captured by Haggerty's reading, and the the voices of the different characters she is able to portray is impressive. Aunt Sally's eccentricity is well-conveyed, as well as not a little regret, though the overall tone of the story is quite upbeat. Aunt Sally is quite an admirable character, and her recounting of childhood adventures demonstrates a healthy respect for children on the part of the author, Polly Horvath. Though nothing particularly frightening happens that would scare a young listener, a refreshing discussion of the darker side of sibling behavior is the somewhat hidden revelation in some of the stories of the children's father's experiences as the youngest child. Such a recognition that children are not all sugar and innocence is quite welcome, especially given the sophistication of many young readers today, and gives this book a weight that is unusual in such an otherwise gentle and humorous story.

Aunt Sally brings family history to the Anderson children, something that their father has neglected to do. She gives them humorous accounts of her brothers and sister as they grew up in a place that she describes in beautiful, loving prose. The children are enchanted. Best of all, however, is the way she treats Melissa, Amanda and Frank with respect. The children learn to enjoy Aunt Sally, and she leaves them with a lot of food for thought. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could relate it to my father's family, to my brothers, and also to my own children. It's thought-provoking and humorous at the same time . . . not an easy thing to do. I found it a gentle reminder to value one's family.

When the sensible baby sitter comes down with plague, and all other avenues are exhausted, Aunt Sally is allowed into the house for a week of emergency baby sitting. And what stories she brings with her! Did the family really chew sticks? Did the neighbor shoot cougers? And... will Pee Wee have to dress as a stepsister for Halloween? This story has its dark moments. The wacky beginning leads to more wistful stories of loss and family estrangement, but it ends on a hopeful note. My 8 & 10 year olds enjoyed it immensely.