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The Toll-Bridge Troll
A fierce troll challenges a smart little boy in this book filled with funny riddles and rebus-like drawings. “The swift, puckish story and its plucky hero will appeal tremendously, especially to the many children inspired to play toll-bridge by The Three Billy Goats Gruff .”-- Publishers Weekly
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 12, 2017
The Toll-Bridge Troll is a Fantasy picture book written by Patricia Rae Wolff and illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root. In the story line, a young boy named Trigg has to cross a bridge every day to go to school. On this bridge, an ugly, young troll demands Trigg must pay a penny to cross. As an alternative, Trigg suggests that if the troll cannot answer his daily riddle, then Trigg gets to cross the bridge for free. By Trigg consistently outsmarting the troll, the story resolves by the two of them going to school together so the troll can become intelligent as well.
By using the troll as Trigg’s main encounter, the story reveals some comic relief as it gives the reader a chances to dramatize the dialogue in different voices. While the book does have some more complicated words within the text, there are tiny pictures within the text to act as a visual aid for children. For instance, when Trigg says “But I have to cross the bridge to go to school,” there is a small pencil sketch of a school house inserted next to the text. The Watercolor illustrations also shown scenes of each encounter showing the troll’s emotions throughout his encounters with Trigg. Every time when the troll questions why Trigg has to cross the bridge, the same response is repeated. Trigg always replies “So I can get smart” and then the troll response “That’s not a good reason.” Then Trigg explains “I have to go to school because my mother said so,” and the Troll exclaims “Oh, THAT’S a good reason.” By repeating this conversation throughout the plot, children are able to recognize that Trigg values his education and knows the importance. However, the troll can only relate to Trigg when he reasons with respecting his mother. Trigg is able to show his critical thinking skills by creatively coming up with ways how to trick the Troll throughout each visit. The importance of valuing an education is confirmed when the troll explains that his own mother said that he has to go to school with Trigg the next day so he can get smart too. By enforcing the significance of education, children will be able to start to recognize the benefits of school.
By using the troll as Trigg’s main encounter, the story reveals some comic relief as it gives the reader a chances to dramatize the dialogue in different voices. While the book does have some more complicated words within the text, there are tiny pictures within the text to act as a visual aid for children. For instance, when Trigg says “But I have to cross the bridge to go to school,” there is a small pencil sketch of a school house inserted next to the text. The Watercolor illustrations also shown scenes of each encounter showing the troll’s emotions throughout his encounters with Trigg. Every time when the troll questions why Trigg has to cross the bridge, the same response is repeated. Trigg always replies “So I can get smart” and then the troll response “That’s not a good reason.” Then Trigg explains “I have to go to school because my mother said so,” and the Troll exclaims “Oh, THAT’S a good reason.” By repeating this conversation throughout the plot, children are able to recognize that Trigg values his education and knows the importance. However, the troll can only relate to Trigg when he reasons with respecting his mother. Trigg is able to show his critical thinking skills by creatively coming up with ways how to trick the Troll throughout each visit. The importance of valuing an education is confirmed when the troll explains that his own mother said that he has to go to school with Trigg the next day so he can get smart too. By enforcing the significance of education, children will be able to start to recognize the benefits of school.
August 21, 2022
An unusual kind of fairy tale, this book gives us a smart boy and a not-so-smart troll. Both of them listen to their mothers but only one sees the wisdom of her advice.
Trigg is initially quick on his feet when it comes to out-thinking the troll but he also engages in planning once he realizes that his enemy isn’t that bright. Eventually, the troll realizes that gouging people out of their money isn’t the great racket it’s cracked up to be…and finally listens to the sage advice his mother has to give.
The color illustrations are great at giving us a notion of the story and the two characters involved. The troll is so much smaller than the boy…why doesn’t Trigg simply beat him up and cross the bridge? The scattered papers at his feet give us vital clues: he prefers using his brains rather than his brawn. The troll too wants to think his way out of problems but is hampered by lack of forethought, a nasty temper and a too-strong reliance on someone else to do his thinking.
It’s a funny story with a hint at sweetness at its core. Perhaps all little boys might do well to listen to their sage mothers’s advice.
Trigg is initially quick on his feet when it comes to out-thinking the troll but he also engages in planning once he realizes that his enemy isn’t that bright. Eventually, the troll realizes that gouging people out of their money isn’t the great racket it’s cracked up to be…and finally listens to the sage advice his mother has to give.
The color illustrations are great at giving us a notion of the story and the two characters involved. The troll is so much smaller than the boy…why doesn’t Trigg simply beat him up and cross the bridge? The scattered papers at his feet give us vital clues: he prefers using his brains rather than his brawn. The troll too wants to think his way out of problems but is hampered by lack of forethought, a nasty temper and a too-strong reliance on someone else to do his thinking.
It’s a funny story with a hint at sweetness at its core. Perhaps all little boys might do well to listen to their sage mothers’s advice.
December 6, 2017
We are all familiar with the story of the troll that lives under the bridge but I think this take on the classic story is different. The little boy is able to trick the troll into letting him pass for free with his clever riddles which I thought was a good story telling technique. This could be used to help introduce riddles to our students.
September 25, 2017
The story was exciting! Students can read the book easily, because it is short and exciting. I learned the friendship from this book. Students can learn the importance of education from the book.
July 16, 2018
It's cute. Of all the troll books we're reading, sh males me read this one every night.
February 21, 2019
Alissa loved it that the boy was smarter than the troll.
February 15, 2020
Fun and inventive - a bit of adventure and wonderful illustrations.
October 16, 2024
That's books awsome we like reading it together.
February 24, 2015
Ages 3-7
I liked this book, and so did my 7 year old daughter. The main character, Trigg, is a very clever little boy who outsmarts a toll-demanding troll by tricking him with riddles. My daughter enjoyed trying to puzzle out the answer to the riddles before I read the answers.
I agree with other reviewers that the repetition was unnecessary. It felt out of place in a story like this. I think the reason the age limit is so low is because the repetition was designed for younger kids, but the riddles would be much too complex for three and four year olds, and I'm not sure that the story would hold their attention. I would amend the age limit to be at least 5-7, but for that age limit, the repetition is just boring, especially the way this was done.
This book would be good for discussions about riddles, word puzzles, and even money concepts, as the last riddle asks a question about money. The riddles cause you to think outside the box, especially the money question.
The illustrations are good, but the tiny illustrations scattered through the text is odd. It doesn't seem to always go with the words you should say. Why is the troll mother's symbol a cup of coffee in a weird wooden mug? The pictures are scattered, and they don't even really give a good clue as to what the word is for children reading to themselves.
The language is simple, but the riddle questions are complex. There is a nice mix of dialogue and text.
I'm giving it such a high rating because my 7 year old liked it. I'd probably give it a 3 on my own because of the aforementioned issues I have with the story.
I liked this book, and so did my 7 year old daughter. The main character, Trigg, is a very clever little boy who outsmarts a toll-demanding troll by tricking him with riddles. My daughter enjoyed trying to puzzle out the answer to the riddles before I read the answers.
I agree with other reviewers that the repetition was unnecessary. It felt out of place in a story like this. I think the reason the age limit is so low is because the repetition was designed for younger kids, but the riddles would be much too complex for three and four year olds, and I'm not sure that the story would hold their attention. I would amend the age limit to be at least 5-7, but for that age limit, the repetition is just boring, especially the way this was done.
This book would be good for discussions about riddles, word puzzles, and even money concepts, as the last riddle asks a question about money. The riddles cause you to think outside the box, especially the money question.
The illustrations are good, but the tiny illustrations scattered through the text is odd. It doesn't seem to always go with the words you should say. Why is the troll mother's symbol a cup of coffee in a weird wooden mug? The pictures are scattered, and they don't even really give a good clue as to what the word is for children reading to themselves.
The language is simple, but the riddle questions are complex. There is a nice mix of dialogue and text.
I'm giving it such a high rating because my 7 year old liked it. I'd probably give it a 3 on my own because of the aforementioned issues I have with the story.
April 2, 2011
I wish I could rate this better but the main thing I think of when this book comes to mind is how tedious it is. I wish there was some way the repetitive parts could have been written with some difference between them. This isn't for toddlers and the repetition serves no real purpose from what I can see.
I have to partly echo another reviewer and say that the book would be good for inroducing riddles. My daughter is also slightly on the young side for this. She does try but her riddles are something of this sort, "What is yellow and roars real loud?" Answer: "A yellow dinosaur!!!!!!" Any audience must then laugh for at least one full minute to make sure she thinks it was hilarious. So, soon....
But I'm hoping to find something else when the time comes or possibly go about it a different way. I don't think I could handle reading this again.
I have to partly echo another reviewer and say that the book would be good for inroducing riddles. My daughter is also slightly on the young side for this. She does try but her riddles are something of this sort, "What is yellow and roars real loud?" Answer: "A yellow dinosaur!!!!!!" Any audience must then laugh for at least one full minute to make sure she thinks it was hilarious. So, soon....
But I'm hoping to find something else when the time comes or possibly go about it a different way. I don't think I could handle reading this again.
May 16, 2011
My kids and I love this book. It is about a boy who needs to cross a bridge to get to school. The troll who lives under the bridge is always there to demand money to cross the bridge. The little boy always outsmarts the troll with riddles to avoid paying the toll. In the end, the troll learns that he needs to go to school with the little boy to get smart too. It is a fun book that teaches the value of school and what you can do with an education. I read this my second grade class that I help in and they just loved it.
March 25, 2013
I didn't like this book very well. I do like the illustrations, but I thought the story was kind of boring. It could be good for some students, but I felt like it was very repetitive. I know repetition is good for some people, that's why I say it would be good for some students. I also don't like the idea behind the book. The illustrations look real, but then there is the troll under the bridge. I think this could have potential to scare some children. This is all preferential things, but I guess this is my review :)
March 18, 2015
This is one of my favorite books I read to my kids! The charming story builds slowly to reveal the boy figuring out how to outsmart the Toll-Bridge Troll, which in turn motivates the Troll to go to school so he can become smart like the boy!
Great illustrations, pace, and characters development. And the message about the importance of going to school and the value of learning is done in a subtle way that kids will remember.
A joy for parents and kids alike. Highly recommend!
Great illustrations, pace, and characters development. And the message about the importance of going to school and the value of learning is done in a subtle way that kids will remember.
A joy for parents and kids alike. Highly recommend!
July 15, 2010
My son loves this book. I'm not sure if it's because he actually enjoys it, or he likes when his mother and father read it aloud and make faces and voices for the troll.
The main reason I want to remember this book is because it's a great intro to teaching children riddles. My son isn't quite ready for them yet, but I'd like to get this book from the library again when he is.
The main reason I want to remember this book is because it's a great intro to teaching children riddles. My son isn't quite ready for them yet, but I'd like to get this book from the library again when he is.
September 8, 2011
A nasty tempered troll tries to get a school boy to pay a penny to cross his bridge everyday. The boy proposes a riddle, and if the troll can answer it he will pay, if not he will cross for free. Eventually the troll learns that he has a lot to learn. This book is great entertainment as well as a good midyear book when kids are getting frusterated with school.
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October 17, 2011This book is about a mean troll who does not let a boy cross his bridge. The boy decides to read the troll a riddle and confuses the troll. This book can show students that there is a price when you are mean, you never win. Also, to this book is useful to teach students to never give up and to keep trying even when you get frustrated.
December 1, 2013
I had high expectations for this book and was very disappointed after reading. I thought it contained a lot of needless repetition that causes the reader or listener to disengage from the story. I attempted to read it to my own children who initially seemed interested because of the troll and did not make it past the halfway point before they lost interest.
November 6, 2012
A great book to not only read to students but as well as allowing students to read on their own. You can also use this book to compare and contrast the three billy goats. This book also includes pictures in the text as a scaffold.
March 7, 2014
I wanted to love this book but I was disappointed in the story. My son, however, kept wanting to return to it, hence the rating. It was a hit for him, which gets him reading, so it's a hit in my book. But in my opinion the storyline was lacking ingenuity.
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April 22, 2010um????
August 16, 2012
This happens to be one of my favorite childhood books. Brings back such good memories!
November 29, 2012
A clever boy figures out how to use riddles to get past the troll to go to school -- very funny. Best suited for four years old and up (up to adults).
January 21, 2013
This book is also in my top five. It was my favorite book when i was a kid and it is now too.
April 2, 2013
This is a fun and cute short story that all kids can enjoy. This sneaky troll bothers everyone and is very annoying until somebody stands up to him.
April 28, 2009
Cute little fable about a clever boy and an easily-tricked troll.
November 26, 2014
Ending makes it worth it
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews