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Treva & the Trolls #1
Trouble with Trolls
Treva's trouble with trolls begins when she climbs Mount Baldy with her dog Tuffi. The trolls who live there long for a dog, and they try to kidnap him. But Treva is brave and quick-thinking. She outwits one troll after another until she reaches the very top of the mountain, where five trolls are waiting--and they want her dog! From underground to mountain peak, Jan Brett's story is filled with adventure and eye-catching detail.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
15 people are currently reading
1781 people want to read
About the author
Jan Brett
111 books1,005 followersWith over thirty three million books in print, Jan Brett is one of the nation's foremost author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, close to where she grew up. During the summer her family moves to a home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
December 27, 2019
I love this book. We follow Treva and her dog as they travel over Mount Baldy. She goes up and over this mountain to ski down the other side all the time. I love how smart and collected Treva is. She keeps her calm and wits about her. Today, trolls keep grabbing her dog and saying they will keep it. Treva pulls off her hat, gloves, boots, anything to interest the trolls more. She is left cold and shivering at the top of the mountain. I love how she gets the best of the trolls at the end of the story. She saves her dog and all is right with the world. Good thing trolls aren’t very smart.
The artwork here is amazing, no doubt. The details are astonishing. You see all the knots in the trees and wood. There is a border around the top and sides of the book that looks like a needlepoint design. On the bottom of the book, we can see under the ground to where the trolls live and what they are doing down there. Even though the trolls are greedy and not smart, they are still cute looking.
The nephew loved this story. He thought the trolls were way cute monsters and he enjoyed how Treva outsmarted them. He could see it coming and how it was going to happen and he was hopping up and down waiting for the moment. He was giddy when she outsmarted them. He loves the outsmart. He also loved seeing all the stuff that was in the troll home and he had to find it all. He gave this 4 stars.
The artwork here is amazing, no doubt. The details are astonishing. You see all the knots in the trees and wood. There is a border around the top and sides of the book that looks like a needlepoint design. On the bottom of the book, we can see under the ground to where the trolls live and what they are doing down there. Even though the trolls are greedy and not smart, they are still cute looking.
The nephew loved this story. He thought the trolls were way cute monsters and he enjoyed how Treva outsmarted them. He could see it coming and how it was going to happen and he was hopping up and down waiting for the moment. He was giddy when she outsmarted them. He loves the outsmart. He also loved seeing all the stuff that was in the troll home and he had to find it all. He gave this 4 stars.
January 9, 2024
Great book, great read-a-loud, smart and witty girl, great introduction to Christmas books, not to mention the illustration - awesome as always (love the illustrations where you can see what the trolls are doing) :)
January 16, 2019
Some trolls have decided that they want Treva's dog. Luckily, trolls are easy to trick. A cute story, highlighted by Brett's amazing artwork.
November 27, 2013
Loving Jan Brett. Her stories are fantastically unique and the illustrations are so detailed. Beautiful snow filled pictures with lots of great characters, all my children love her books.
December 29, 2024
THIS IS THE WRONG BOOK.
The real book is Trolls. It’s a book from Iceland about trolls: philosophy and wisdom it is FANTASTIC. Take about 10 minutes to read and I highly recommend reach out for more info have no clue where to buy it 😂
The real book is Trolls. It’s a book from Iceland about trolls: philosophy and wisdom it is FANTASTIC. Take about 10 minutes to read and I highly recommend reach out for more info have no clue where to buy it 😂
December 22, 2023
Cute story, beautiful illustrations. Wonderful story for littles, especially this who ski and love dogs!
December 29, 2016
My three-year old niece asked me to read her this "really good story" because "it's scary", which cracks me up because she said scary with particular glee.
Out of the five trolls Treva and her dog Tuffi encounter on their trek up Mount Baldy, only one is a girl. I probably wouldn't have noticed this detail, but my niece sure did. Budding feminist makes me a proud auntie!
Each troll tries to take Tuffi away and Treva has to outsmart them each time. Normally, I'm not a fan of repetitive techniques in storytelling for children. I know it's developmentally appropriate and helps them build understanding, but as the adult reading the story, I usually get a bit annoyed at any type of generic repetition.
What this story did with the repetitive technique that I enjoyed lies in the illustrated frame. At the bottom of each page, we see the underground den of the five trolls. At the beginning of the story, we see the five trolls entering their lair. One troll at a time leaves to harass Treva and Tuffi and the other trolls are busy in their home or up to troll shenanigans on the mountain. Watching the troll activity throughout the book made the repetitive snatch and grab of the poor dog much more bearable for me.
At the very end, Treva makes it safely down the mountain with Tuffi in tow. The author states that the white cotton grass waving in the wind is all that's left on the mountain from her adventure implying that Treva has quite the imagination.
While my niece didn't catch how the trolls weren't real, she very much enjoyed reading a story that was "scary". I read the troll voices with a little bit of an evil inflection to properly assert the scary without going overboard. What a fantastic book to introduce an element of a little scary to a child's reading.
Out of the five trolls Treva and her dog Tuffi encounter on their trek up Mount Baldy, only one is a girl. I probably wouldn't have noticed this detail, but my niece sure did. Budding feminist makes me a proud auntie!
Each troll tries to take Tuffi away and Treva has to outsmart them each time. Normally, I'm not a fan of repetitive techniques in storytelling for children. I know it's developmentally appropriate and helps them build understanding, but as the adult reading the story, I usually get a bit annoyed at any type of generic repetition.
What this story did with the repetitive technique that I enjoyed lies in the illustrated frame. At the bottom of each page, we see the underground den of the five trolls. At the beginning of the story, we see the five trolls entering their lair. One troll at a time leaves to harass Treva and Tuffi and the other trolls are busy in their home or up to troll shenanigans on the mountain. Watching the troll activity throughout the book made the repetitive snatch and grab of the poor dog much more bearable for me.
At the very end, Treva makes it safely down the mountain with Tuffi in tow. The author states that the white cotton grass waving in the wind is all that's left on the mountain from her adventure implying that Treva has quite the imagination.
While my niece didn't catch how the trolls weren't real, she very much enjoyed reading a story that was "scary". I read the troll voices with a little bit of an evil inflection to properly assert the scary without going overboard. What a fantastic book to introduce an element of a little scary to a child's reading.
December 19, 2018
When Treva decides to visit her cousin on the other side of Mount Baldy, her trip over the mountain leads her directly into some trouble with the local trolls, who have been wanting a dog just like her beloved Tuffi. As one after another of them seize her canine companion, only to be tricked into giving him up for another of Treva's possessions, the young girl slowly makes her way to the mountaintop. Once there however, she discovers that she must confront all of the trolls at once. Does she have the cunning to outwit them one last time...?
The first of two picture-books featuring Treva and he adventures with the trolls - the second in Christmas Trolls - Trouble with Trolls pairs an entertaining tale about a clever little girl who beats the odds and saves her dog, with beautifully detailed illustrations. As always with Jan Brett, I appreciated her animals a little more than her human figures, and found her detailed side (or lower) panels - here depicting the underground troll cavern, where a curious hedgehog is exploring - a decided bonus. I always appreciate the fact that there is more afoot, in the artwork of a Jan Brett title, than can be gleaned from text alone, and that the additional narratives found in the artwork always work so well in tandem with the main one put forward by the text. All in all, this was a sweet little wintry confection of a picture-book - more than enough to convince me to seek out the subsequent title about these characters.
The first of two picture-books featuring Treva and he adventures with the trolls - the second in Christmas Trolls - Trouble with Trolls pairs an entertaining tale about a clever little girl who beats the odds and saves her dog, with beautifully detailed illustrations. As always with Jan Brett, I appreciated her animals a little more than her human figures, and found her detailed side (or lower) panels - here depicting the underground troll cavern, where a curious hedgehog is exploring - a decided bonus. I always appreciate the fact that there is more afoot, in the artwork of a Jan Brett title, than can be gleaned from text alone, and that the additional narratives found in the artwork always work so well in tandem with the main one put forward by the text. All in all, this was a sweet little wintry confection of a picture-book - more than enough to convince me to seek out the subsequent title about these characters.
June 21, 2008
Trolls disturb me. There's just something about those pointy ears and mischievous grins that I find unsettling. (I know an awful lot of people who feel exactly the same way about the flying monkeys in The Wizard of Oz.) Brett's troll tale is doubly disturbing as I find the main character grating. My pompous, judgmental view aside, the children I read this to enjoyed the story, finding it engaging and suspenseful.
October 16, 2016
This story was about a young girl encountering trolls when her and her dog were hiking up the mountain. The trolls were trying to take her dog but every time they did she would trade them something she had to get her dog back. In the end she convinced them she could fly and they all gave her her belongings back so she would show them how to fly. The young girl grabbed her dog and skied down the mountain. I had a hard time finding a valuable lesson in this story other than the girl's dog was more valuable to her than her possessions. This book would be best read to younger aged elementary students.
January 13, 2018
This Puffin Book by the Penguin Group is probably the best troll story I've read! There are trolls, and snow, and mountains, a dog, skis, a smart kid, and a lot of tricks. But my family's favorite is the hedgehog! And maybe the lady bug too. Even though the author is not from Norway, this book is somehow more Scandinavian than authentic stories. Where else a ten-year-old would be walking over a mountain alone to visit a cousin? :) There are bound to be trolls on such a trip!
November 28, 2012
This book is simply put...a DELICIOUS READ! I adore Jan Brett and quite frankly want to walk into the pages of her illustrations. Whether you have children, or just want to have some sparkle reads on your bookshelves...this is a keeper! And of course, there may...just MAY BE, Trouble with Trolls!
February 27, 2014
This is a great book to use when working on prediction because of the repetition of similar events. The illustrations also really show the emotions of the characters. I have always love Jan Brett books!
March 16, 2017
A beautifully illustrated book about a girl named Treva and her dog named Tuffi. At for a walk in the snow covered mountains, Treva comes upon a group of trolls who want her dog. She has to try and out trick them to keep her dog and her winter clothes.
February 12, 2019
The illustrations were beautiful, of course, but I didn't care for this particular story. 2.5 stars
October 4, 2019
This is a story with Norwegian illustrations that give me such a magical winter wonderland feeling. If you like tales of Norwegians trolls and magical forests, then this is the story for you.
January 20, 2024
Trolls originate in Norwegian folk-telling, with roots in Nordic mythology.
A girl named Treva climbs Mt. Baldy to visit her cousin on the other side. A mischievous troll wants her dog (Tuffi) and kidnaps him. The brave and clever girl outsmarts each of the five trolls who attempt to steal her dog.
Jan Brett is both author and illustrator. The illustrations are exquisite and detailed. With them she tells one story above ground and a totally different troll story below the ground. Each page also has borders that look like needlepoint. She portrays beautiful mountainous scenery, as well as the intricate clothing and symbols of traditional Norway.
A girl named Treva climbs Mt. Baldy to visit her cousin on the other side. A mischievous troll wants her dog (Tuffi) and kidnaps him. The brave and clever girl outsmarts each of the five trolls who attempt to steal her dog.
Jan Brett is both author and illustrator. The illustrations are exquisite and detailed. With them she tells one story above ground and a totally different troll story below the ground. Each page also has borders that look like needlepoint. She portrays beautiful mountainous scenery, as well as the intricate clothing and symbols of traditional Norway.
April 11, 2021
I'm such an admirer of Jan Brett's stunningly intricate illustrations!!
I always applaud a children's author who does both words and art with such heart and passion. Her work delights the young and old alike with breathtaking, loving detail (honestly...you can see every strand of fur, every stitch of sweater!!). Your gaze will linger on each page's unique finery.
An illustrator myself, I work with young children, so I find myself surrounded by wonderful books like this often (though this is one I found on my own and donated to our child care center).
The only thing I missed in this tale was an image of Treva safely snuggled at her destination, perhaps with hot chocolate....also how does she make the return journey?? It looks like there are more episodes in this storyline, so I hope to come across them someday and finish the tale!
I always applaud a children's author who does both words and art with such heart and passion. Her work delights the young and old alike with breathtaking, loving detail (honestly...you can see every strand of fur, every stitch of sweater!!). Your gaze will linger on each page's unique finery.
An illustrator myself, I work with young children, so I find myself surrounded by wonderful books like this often (though this is one I found on my own and donated to our child care center).
The only thing I missed in this tale was an image of Treva safely snuggled at her destination, perhaps with hot chocolate....also how does she make the return journey?? It looks like there are more episodes in this storyline, so I hope to come across them someday and finish the tale!
June 18, 2024
Tuffy is the worst travel companion possible
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
A story about a girl who's dog keep getting grabbed by trolls, as they hike over a mountain, and the many ways she comes up with to get him back.
Beautiful and detailed illustrations.
A good book!
Beautiful and detailed illustrations.
A good book!
October 7, 2013
This is a cute book about a child being able to use her wit to outsmart others. In a few other books written by Jan Brett the child is able to outwit others, this is a cute story that shows children can be very intelligent and smarter then we believe. It is an easy to read book, as well as an easy to understand book. Not only that but the pictures are yet again astonishing. The detail and colors all compliment each other. The author tells a cute story and the pictures perfectly compliment the story. The trolls are a bit scary looking which can be a bad thing for younger children if they are frightened easily. This book is a great book that wont get old very easily because there are so many details within the pictures that I discover something new in her books every time I reread the same book.
September 16, 2017
I chose to read this book, because it was a book that my mother and father would always read to my siblings and I every Christmas holiday, since it is fun, interesting, entertaining, and I loved the voices that my mother always did while she read this book to us. I like this book, because it shows kids that they can always think outside of the box whenever they get stuck in a sticky situation, and it shows them to have courage to accomplish their own tasks or situations. I also chose this book, because it is an awesome book to read during the winter holiday time, because it involves the harsh snowy weather and it shows the many different winter accessories that are needed during the cold winter months. This shows children the importance of wearing winter gear when they are going outside and playing about in the snow.
June 23, 2018
Another wonderful story by the incomparable Jan Brett!
Treva must contend with five annoying trolls who want her dog, Tuffi!
Instead of using brute strength to fight them off, Treva uses her mind and tricks the trolls into giving back to her - her mittens, hat, sweater, books, and dog!
It is a wonderfully imaginative story and it is a great story to share at your favorite little ones!
And of course, since it is Jan Brett, the illustrations are exquisitely detailed! You can find yourself lost in them as I am apt to do!
But my favorite character in the book is Hedgie! I just love that little hedgehog!
Treva must contend with five annoying trolls who want her dog, Tuffi!
Instead of using brute strength to fight them off, Treva uses her mind and tricks the trolls into giving back to her - her mittens, hat, sweater, books, and dog!
It is a wonderfully imaginative story and it is a great story to share at your favorite little ones!
And of course, since it is Jan Brett, the illustrations are exquisitely detailed! You can find yourself lost in them as I am apt to do!
But my favorite character in the book is Hedgie! I just love that little hedgehog!
January 7, 2014
This is a book that made me smile. On her trek over the mountain to visit her cousin, young Treva had trouble with trolls. The nasty critters have dreamed of owning a dog. When they spied Treva and her dog, they just had to have her animal.
Devising sneaky ways to grab Tuffi, increasingly Treva is successful in getting back her dog. When this game persists, clever Treva intelligently develops a plan to fool these snarky, snaggly trolls.
Rich in beauty of incredible illustrations, and with a story line that is whimsical and wonderful, this is one of Jan Brett's best!
Devising sneaky ways to grab Tuffi, increasingly Treva is successful in getting back her dog. When this game persists, clever Treva intelligently develops a plan to fool these snarky, snaggly trolls.
Rich in beauty of incredible illustrations, and with a story line that is whimsical and wonderful, this is one of Jan Brett's best!
December 26, 2017
This author's books are consistently beautiful. the artwork is detailed, and every page has unique and interesting borders and letters. The setting seems to be like northern Europe.
This story is about a girl who is trying to climb a snowy mountain while saving her dog from hungry trolls.
This girl shows great wit and finding a way to outsmart them...
This story is about a girl who is trying to climb a snowy mountain while saving her dog from hungry trolls.
This girl shows great wit and finding a way to outsmart them...
October 16, 2017
The animals are all super cute. The trolls are pretty charming, The human child is an abomination.
But the story is sweet, and the separate story in the borders adds a whole 'nother element to the book. Solid.
But the story is sweet, and the separate story in the borders adds a whole 'nother element to the book. Solid.
April 9, 2018
Brett’s imaginative, detailed illustrations will transport you to a Norwegian wonderland where you could expect to encounter a troop of trolls. Teva will impress you with her wits and her wardrobe as you venture along with her. Prepare to be mesmerized by a cute hedgehog too.
July 10, 2019
Checked this out at the library for my 7 month old son. He liked the book but wasn't overly ecstatic about it like some others. The story is neat but we both mostly liked it for the visuals. Very pretty illustrations!
September 30, 2016
I didn't like the story to this book. I think it has awesome pictures and cool characters, but not a fun story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews