Good Babies: A Tale of Trolls, Humans, a Witch and a Switch

by Tim J. Myers, Kelly Murphy (illustrator)

Any parent who has ever been sleep-deprived will smile at this richly illustrated, lively original folktale that reassures us that all babies are good babies -- and that patient love can foil even the worst-laid plans.
A troll-baby living with humans? A human baby with trolls? What chaos and heartache that would lead to
Long ago, a dark-eyed witch, passing through a valley deep in the mountains of Norway, discovered two families -- one human and one troll -- each with a brand-new baby. The human baby slept all day and cried all night, driving his family crazy, no matter how much they rocked or sang or made funny faces. Likewise, the troll baby was a terror who slept all night and cried all day, which is when trolls like to take to their beds. Meanwhile, the witch, hoping to refresh her travel-weary bones with some wickedness, gleefully swapped troll-brat for human infant. But what is a wily witch to do when her bad intentions backfire?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2005

About the author

Tim J. Myers is a writer, songwriter, storyteller, and lecturer at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley. His"Glad to Be Dad: A Call to Fatherhood" is out from Familius and "Nectar of Story: Poems" from BlazeVox. He has 15 children's books out and one on the way. His children’s books have won recognition from the New York Times, NPR, the Smithsonian, Nickelodeon, and others. He’s published over 130 poems, won a first prize in a poetry contest judged by John Updike, has a poetry chapbook out, won a major prize in science fiction, was nominated for two Pushcarts, and has published much other fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. He recently won the West Coast Songwriters Saratoga Chapter Song of the Year award. His website is www.TimMyersStorySong.com, his YouTube channel is at https://www.youtube.com/user/TimJMyers, and he can whistle and hum at the same time.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wascally witch hopes to create a little havoc when she switches a human baby and a troll. The results lead to confusion for the families, and fun for the reader. A very enjoyable tale, with delightful artwork by Kelly Murphy.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it wasn't what I expected to be like at all, but I thought the author and illustrator did an excellent job of making this story humorous, thoughtful and amusing. I would definitely recommend this book. I did like a lot of the illustrations as well, they generally made me smile.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Holly]

Quirky book about two infants--one human, one troll--who get switched by a mischevious witch. A little long for my 2.5 year old. Overall interesting story about loving and accepting new babies, even when they are awake when you want to sleep.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story about babies and trolls - who would've imagined? The humor in the juxtaposition of the two babies' lives is readily apparent and the baby swap is silly, but makes for an entertaining tale. The illustrations are dark and muted, but cartoonish and fun, too.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

A troll family and a human family are at their wit's end about their newborns, but then a witch switches the two, and while it seems all good at first, of course a troll is a troll and a human a human. I love the art in this one. The story has some good parts too. But the plot depends on adult understandings and humor, which I don't like.

[Homeschooling6 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book - it was cute.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went to the library with my nephew and let him choose a book and he picked this one. Though I really enjoyed the story there was just to many words to keep his attention he just turned 5.

[Jodi Santora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story that I used for my students to identify as a folktale, fable, or myth. It is a folktale/fairytale. It is about who wants to cause trouble, so she switches a human baby and a troll baby. When she sees that the two families love the babies just the same, she switches them back. Both families are very happy to get their baby back, but the witch never gets to see them angry! Good wins out.

[Tim Myers]

When an evil witch passes through a mountain valley, she decides to switch the new babies of the human family and troll family living there. Things get very strange--but it doesn't turn out as she expected!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids love this book about a witch who switches a troll baby with a human baby. I can totally relate.

[Skedatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun tale about babies that don't sleep through the night.

[Abby Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

good illustrations

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A witch switches a human baby with a troll baby. When her trick goes awry, she gets upset and switches them back.

[Kienie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose all babies are horrible for a while.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice story about how families love their babies, even when the babies are driving them crazy!