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Horns & Wrinkles
How can you tell if a river’s under a spell? River trolls, rock trolls, blue-wing fairies—the usual suspects—the stretch of the Mississippi where Claire lives has rumors of them all, not that she’s ever spotted any. But then Claire’s cousin Duke takes a swim and sprouts a horn—a long, pointy, handsome thing. After that, Claire doesn’t have much choice but to believe that something rivery is going on, especially since she’s the only one who can help Duke lose his new addition.
In the tradition of grand river adventures, Joseph Helgerson’s tale is as twisty and unpredictable as the Mississippi River itself, while an unusual cast of characters adds pepper to the pot. Readers of all ages will enjoy getting in—and out of—trouble with Claire and Duke in this nimble, sharp, and funny fantasy.
In the tradition of grand river adventures, Joseph Helgerson’s tale is as twisty and unpredictable as the Mississippi River itself, while an unusual cast of characters adds pepper to the pot. Readers of all ages will enjoy getting in—and out of—trouble with Claire and Duke in this nimble, sharp, and funny fantasy.
357 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
53 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Helgerson
8 books34 followersJoseph Helgerson was born and raised along the Mississippi River. Catfish and river trolls were his early pals. During the flood of ‘51 he had to be evacuated from his home by a leaky rowboat. The first school he attended was a one-room country schoolhouse that overlooked the river near Queens Bluff, Minnesota. Today he keeps an eye on the river as it passes through the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where he lives with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
November 12, 2017
The Mississippi River is the backdrop for this rollicking fantasy of river trolls, rock trolls, a blue-wing fairy, a lying cricket named Reliable St. John and a young girl on a quest. It all starts with cousin Duke who grows a horn and eleven year old, Claire, who wants to save him as well as her other relatives who have been turned to stone.
Joined by three river trolls named Jim Dandy, Biz and Stump they set out to find the stone feather which will change Claire's relatives back into themselves. The three trolls and Duke have their own agendas, but all must deal with the hideous Bodacious Deepthink, the Great Rock Troll, who loves riddles and tasty treats. I'll let you guess who the tasty treats are.
Helgerson has written a wonderfully imaginative American fantasy, full of clever names, a spine tingling plot and harrowing chase scenes. The chase scene at the end of the book with Bodacious Deepthink bouncing up and down and bellowing orders would be great Hollywood material.
If the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland had a terrible little sister, she would be Bodacious.
Joined by three river trolls named Jim Dandy, Biz and Stump they set out to find the stone feather which will change Claire's relatives back into themselves. The three trolls and Duke have their own agendas, but all must deal with the hideous Bodacious Deepthink, the Great Rock Troll, who loves riddles and tasty treats. I'll let you guess who the tasty treats are.
Helgerson has written a wonderfully imaginative American fantasy, full of clever names, a spine tingling plot and harrowing chase scenes. The chase scene at the end of the book with Bodacious Deepthink bouncing up and down and bellowing orders would be great Hollywood material.
If the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland had a terrible little sister, she would be Bodacious.
October 16, 2010
We listened to this in the car on audio. I told my husband I think it's like a 10-year-old boy vomited out whatever thoughts were in his mind. It's pretty much a chronological journey tale, but there seems to be very little linkage between the episodes and basically NO overall symbolic meaning or anything to give the story even the slightest depth. Even the attempts at humor fall flat.
August 14, 2023
4⭐
This was really cute.
This was really cute.
January 2, 2022
This book was way better than expected especially being someone who doesn’t like reading first person. A very interesting tale and a very meaningful moral.
But I absolutely hate Duke.
But I absolutely hate Duke.
Read
November 14, 2017I love the muskrat. I have always loved that muskrat and want to see more the muskrat in future stories.
July 16, 2017
A standalone fantasy adventure story about two children — one good, and the other, well, not-so-good, in Blue Wing, a little town alongside the Mississippi River, in early May.
My Take
I like Helgerson’s start with the mean Duke and then Claire’s note of the “queer old chunk of water”. That narrative hook pulled me right into Horns & Wrinkles, dying to know what came next in this quirky story as told in first-person protagonist point-of-view from Claire's perspective.
There is a sweetness and innocence to Claire despite her knowing her cousin too well while Duke fits right in with those nasty, too funnily dressed trolls. As for the troll culture Helgerson has dreamed up, wa-a-ay too funny.
You do have to appreciate Claire’s adventurousness and quickness of thought as she works to stay ahead of this trio of river trolls.
It's absolute nonsense and totally fun!
The Story
How can you tell if a river’s under a spell? River trolls, rock trolls, blue-wing fairies — the usual suspects — the stretch of the Mississippi where Claire lives has rumors of them all, not that she’s ever spotted any.
But then Claire’s cousin Duke takes a swim and sprouts a horn — a long, pointy, handsome thing. After that, Claire doesn’t have much choice but to believe that something rivery is going on, especially since she’s the only one who can help Duke lose his new addition.
The Characters
Claire Bridgewater is twelve years old with a love for rivery animals such as Lottie, her box turtle who lives in the closet and Three, her toad who lives in a wool sock. Tessa is the youngest sister while Lillie is the older and Fragile Fran is the oldest. Mom works at the department store. Dad works the graveyard shift at a bakery. Grandpa Bridgewater comes for the show and tells of the horns their great-great-great-grandpa Huntington Bridgewater and his brother Floyd had had back in the day. Nettie is the girl who became Huntington's wife. Second-cousin Alfie had a run-in with river trolls; Cousin Ernie couldn’t help touching Alfie.
Duke is Claire’s mean young cousin whose parents have finally resorted to discipline. His parents are Norm who runs the No Leash Dog Obedience College and Phyllis who is a school nurse. Duff is their springer spaniel.
Blue Wing is…
…a small town along the Mississippi River. Sheriff Tommy Pope is realistic about the river trolls. Dr. E.O. Moneybaker is the only rhinoceros horn expert in the area and lives in a retirement home. One-shot is a newspaper photographer.
Big Rock is…
…a town where sits Trolls & Things, a shop that sells screens by the old lady in the canoe, a blue-wing fairy with no name who has an older brother. Pumpkin is his retriever. Prince Leopold, a muskrat, and Princess Trudy, a raccoon, are friends of hers. Farmer Bailey’s field is home to the sinkhole.
Stump, Squeak “Biz” (he intends to be King Biz Mossbottom the First, and he’s married to Muck, Weed, and Scale Crowleg, all sisters who can see a day ahead into the future) Mossbottom, and Jim Dandy are river trolls in cahoots with Duke. Two-cents Eel-tongue is Jim’s mother while that no-good Double-knot is his missing father. Fancy Leechlicker is Jim’s sulky wife. Duckwad is Stump’s missing brother. Wishy Gartooth can see into next week, if the pay is good. Great-aunt Tar-and-feathers Slice-Toe, Biz’s relative, owns a stone glove.
Reliable St. John is a cricket.
Bodacious Deepthink, a.k.a., Bo the Great Rock Troll, has terrified the area’s trolls with her obsession with the moon.
The Cover and Title
The cover is soft browns, dark ones and light ones, for it’s night along the Mississippi River with a sliver of moon in the sky, shining down on the river with its islets of grass. It’s the rhino-horned dark-T-shirt-wearing Duke standing back-to-back with the defiant Claire in her red and white horizontally striped top with both staring out of the cover.
The title is a combination of the rhino Horns & Wrinkles in plans and old people caught up.
My Take
I like Helgerson’s start with the mean Duke and then Claire’s note of the “queer old chunk of water”. That narrative hook pulled me right into Horns & Wrinkles, dying to know what came next in this quirky story as told in first-person protagonist point-of-view from Claire's perspective.
There is a sweetness and innocence to Claire despite her knowing her cousin too well while Duke fits right in with those nasty, too funnily dressed trolls. As for the troll culture Helgerson has dreamed up, wa-a-ay too funny.
”’…“you’re” the snack.’’Now, wait a minute,’ Duke said, gagging. ‘You guys told me to eat!’Suddenly all the other rhinos lowered their heads…”It’s all about bullies and the horrible things that happen to them…and the only way they can change back.
You do have to appreciate Claire’s adventurousness and quickness of thought as she works to stay ahead of this trio of river trolls.
It's absolute nonsense and totally fun!
The Story
How can you tell if a river’s under a spell? River trolls, rock trolls, blue-wing fairies — the usual suspects — the stretch of the Mississippi where Claire lives has rumors of them all, not that she’s ever spotted any.
But then Claire’s cousin Duke takes a swim and sprouts a horn — a long, pointy, handsome thing. After that, Claire doesn’t have much choice but to believe that something rivery is going on, especially since she’s the only one who can help Duke lose his new addition.
The Characters
Claire Bridgewater is twelve years old with a love for rivery animals such as Lottie, her box turtle who lives in the closet and Three, her toad who lives in a wool sock. Tessa is the youngest sister while Lillie is the older and Fragile Fran is the oldest. Mom works at the department store. Dad works the graveyard shift at a bakery. Grandpa Bridgewater comes for the show and tells of the horns their great-great-great-grandpa Huntington Bridgewater and his brother Floyd had had back in the day. Nettie is the girl who became Huntington's wife. Second-cousin Alfie had a run-in with river trolls; Cousin Ernie couldn’t help touching Alfie.
Duke is Claire’s mean young cousin whose parents have finally resorted to discipline. His parents are Norm who runs the No Leash Dog Obedience College and Phyllis who is a school nurse. Duff is their springer spaniel.
Blue Wing is…
…a small town along the Mississippi River. Sheriff Tommy Pope is realistic about the river trolls. Dr. E.O. Moneybaker is the only rhinoceros horn expert in the area and lives in a retirement home. One-shot is a newspaper photographer.
Big Rock is…
…a town where sits Trolls & Things, a shop that sells screens by the old lady in the canoe, a blue-wing fairy with no name who has an older brother. Pumpkin is his retriever. Prince Leopold, a muskrat, and Princess Trudy, a raccoon, are friends of hers. Farmer Bailey’s field is home to the sinkhole.
Stump, Squeak “Biz” (he intends to be King Biz Mossbottom the First, and he’s married to Muck, Weed, and Scale Crowleg, all sisters who can see a day ahead into the future) Mossbottom, and Jim Dandy are river trolls in cahoots with Duke. Two-cents Eel-tongue is Jim’s mother while that no-good Double-knot is his missing father. Fancy Leechlicker is Jim’s sulky wife. Duckwad is Stump’s missing brother. Wishy Gartooth can see into next week, if the pay is good. Great-aunt Tar-and-feathers Slice-Toe, Biz’s relative, owns a stone glove.
Reliable St. John is a cricket.
Bodacious Deepthink, a.k.a., Bo the Great Rock Troll, has terrified the area’s trolls with her obsession with the moon.
The Cover and Title
The cover is soft browns, dark ones and light ones, for it’s night along the Mississippi River with a sliver of moon in the sky, shining down on the river with its islets of grass. It’s the rhino-horned dark-T-shirt-wearing Duke standing back-to-back with the defiant Claire in her red and white horizontally striped top with both staring out of the cover.
The title is a combination of the rhino Horns & Wrinkles in plans and old people caught up.
June 27, 2024
Cute! Cute! Cute!
September 27, 2008
I'm giving this book one star for the beginning, one for Claire, the only character I cared about, and one for not being predictable.
I was really hooked in, with this book, at first. Claire's cousin, Duke is hanging her over the side of a bridge, by her ankles, and then he drops her. Instead of getting hurt, or making a big splash, she gently floats down. Claire lands in the rowboat of a kind, old lady. Duke is dropped over the side of the bridge by two, bigger bullies. When he is fished out of the river, he has grown a horn.
I liked the concept of a bully growing a horn. I was also intrigued by the people being turned to stone, but the story lost my interest, after that. I put the book down, when I got to the middle. I usually make an effort to finish a book, but this book really took an effort.
After reading three or four other books, I picked up Horns and Wrinkles, and stuck it out. About 3/4 of the way through, I began to like the book, a little more.
The river trolls were ugly almost fishlike creatures, with seaweed hair. Not the cute troll dolls, with soft, colored hair, I grew up with. I didn't understand why the trolls were looking for their fathers, but, when a troll named Jim Dandy found his father, there was a tender moment of understanding which passed between them.
It's hard to like a book, when, for the most part, you don't care about the characters.
I read children's books, all the time. To me, Horns and Wrinkles is a strange book, with a strange plot, that is about as clear as river water, and nearly as tangled as a river trolls, seaweed hair.
I was really hooked in, with this book, at first. Claire's cousin, Duke is hanging her over the side of a bridge, by her ankles, and then he drops her. Instead of getting hurt, or making a big splash, she gently floats down. Claire lands in the rowboat of a kind, old lady. Duke is dropped over the side of the bridge by two, bigger bullies. When he is fished out of the river, he has grown a horn.
I liked the concept of a bully growing a horn. I was also intrigued by the people being turned to stone, but the story lost my interest, after that. I put the book down, when I got to the middle. I usually make an effort to finish a book, but this book really took an effort.
After reading three or four other books, I picked up Horns and Wrinkles, and stuck it out. About 3/4 of the way through, I began to like the book, a little more.
The river trolls were ugly almost fishlike creatures, with seaweed hair. Not the cute troll dolls, with soft, colored hair, I grew up with. I didn't understand why the trolls were looking for their fathers, but, when a troll named Jim Dandy found his father, there was a tender moment of understanding which passed between them.
It's hard to like a book, when, for the most part, you don't care about the characters.
I read children's books, all the time. To me, Horns and Wrinkles is a strange book, with a strange plot, that is about as clear as river water, and nearly as tangled as a river trolls, seaweed hair.
November 2, 2015
I have had this book for a long time read and was excited to finally read it. A while ago I read Crows and Cards by Helgerson and enjoyed it, that book prompted me to pick up this one. This was a cute and fun read about faerie magic along the Mississippi river.
Claire lives along an odd portion of the Mississippi river and is playing with her bossy bullying cousin Dane when he is cursed. Then his family is found turned to stone and Claire is determined to turn them back. Ends up Dane is keeping company with nasty rock trolls who are on a mission to find their fathers no matter what the cost. Claire infiltrates their group and with the help of a blue fairy works to turn the curse around.
I love that this book is set along the Mississippi river. The story has a very classic fairy tale feel to it with curses and trolls and people being turned to animals and stone.
The whole story is told in a very tongue and cheek tone that made it fun to read. I enjoyed Claire as a character and loved the setting and the quirky characters that surrounded Claire. There’s a lot of good discussion in here about the bad things that can happen to bullies too.
The illustration by Ceccoli throughout was beautiful and fit the whimsical tone of the story perfectly. I really enjoyed it.
Overall a very cute and whimsical story about the fae magic that drifts along the banks of the Mississippi. I really enjoyed the classic fairy tale feel to the story and enjoyed the beautiful illustration throughout. I would definitely recommend to readers middle grade and older who enjoy fairy tales with a bit of irony and humor in them.
Claire lives along an odd portion of the Mississippi river and is playing with her bossy bullying cousin Dane when he is cursed. Then his family is found turned to stone and Claire is determined to turn them back. Ends up Dane is keeping company with nasty rock trolls who are on a mission to find their fathers no matter what the cost. Claire infiltrates their group and with the help of a blue fairy works to turn the curse around.
I love that this book is set along the Mississippi river. The story has a very classic fairy tale feel to it with curses and trolls and people being turned to animals and stone.
The whole story is told in a very tongue and cheek tone that made it fun to read. I enjoyed Claire as a character and loved the setting and the quirky characters that surrounded Claire. There’s a lot of good discussion in here about the bad things that can happen to bullies too.
The illustration by Ceccoli throughout was beautiful and fit the whimsical tone of the story perfectly. I really enjoyed it.
Overall a very cute and whimsical story about the fae magic that drifts along the banks of the Mississippi. I really enjoyed the classic fairy tale feel to the story and enjoyed the beautiful illustration throughout. I would definitely recommend to readers middle grade and older who enjoy fairy tales with a bit of irony and humor in them.
January 6, 2008
Those that live on the bank of the Mississippi river have a word for the weird things that happen that there (like being turned to stone, growing a horn, or going missing) - and that's rivery. When something rivery happens, adults gets quiet and children are shuffled out of the room. But when something rivery happens to Duke, Claire's slightly younger cousin, Claire is needed to track him down and try to bring him home.
Of course, this is all complicated by river trolls, rock trolls, a missing turtle, her aunt and uncle being turned to stone and worst of all, Duke liked hanging out with the trolls which was having a very bad effect on him! Because of his ruffian nature, a strange old lady transformed Duke's regular nose into a rhino horn which grew every time he bullied. Because he liked bulling so much, he was rapidly turning into a rhinoceros! All he has to do is something unselfish and POOF! he'd be back to his old normally devilish self, but Duke had no interest in doing anything like that!
Certainly a cautionary tale for rowdy showboats like Duke, Horns & Wrinkles is also a fun adventure for young girls like Claire who love their families, just want to do their best, and like un-girlish things like turtles, frogs and trolls.
Of course, this is all complicated by river trolls, rock trolls, a missing turtle, her aunt and uncle being turned to stone and worst of all, Duke liked hanging out with the trolls which was having a very bad effect on him! Because of his ruffian nature, a strange old lady transformed Duke's regular nose into a rhino horn which grew every time he bullied. Because he liked bulling so much, he was rapidly turning into a rhinoceros! All he has to do is something unselfish and POOF! he'd be back to his old normally devilish self, but Duke had no interest in doing anything like that!
Certainly a cautionary tale for rowdy showboats like Duke, Horns & Wrinkles is also a fun adventure for young girls like Claire who love their families, just want to do their best, and like un-girlish things like turtles, frogs and trolls.
October 8, 2009
My sister Wendy recommended this book to me quite a while ago. I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it! Actually, I listened to it. We took the book on CD with us on a family trip. I really enjoyed the humor in this book and the way it is a uniquely American fantasy story. There are no castles, princesses, dragons, or other classic European fantasy elements. Instead, Helgerson gives us an inventive, "rivery" tale starring common folk and set on the Mississippi River. The fantasy elements include trolls, river magic, and fairies in disguise. Beware, bullies, or you might grow a horn and that's only the beginning! The heroine is plucky and persistent. The story is delightful. I love the characters and also names such as: Bodacious Deepthink the Great Rock Troll, Double-knot Eeltongue, and Reliable St. John the lying cricket! Horns and Wrinkles is an original and delightful tale. I recommend the CDs--long, but good performance by the narrator. My husband and kids all liked it, too.
Wendy, some parts of this book remind me of "Jonathan Worthnothing." What do you think?
Wendy, some parts of this book remind me of "Jonathan Worthnothing." What do you think?
April 15, 2009
Claire knows how to handle bullies, even the ones who are related. So when her mean cousin Duke dangles her off the Wagon Wheel Bridge and threatens to drop her, she still doesn't give him what he wants. What she doesn't know is that the river trolls also know how to handle bullies, and soon Duke is sprouting a pointy horn where his nose used to be. Before long, all kinds of rivery things are happening: Duke's parents, Claire's grandpa, and the deputy sheriff, are all turned to stone; Duke's run off to join the trolls, and Claire is smack in the middle of all of it. You see, to get the stone spell taken off, she'll need the help of the river trolls, but they won't help her unless she helps them find some shooting stars to rescue their fathers, and Duke is making that very difficult.
Fun, quick read.
Fun, quick read.
August 4, 2013
I got this book from my school library and I can honestly say- at first, I didn't get hooked enough to read everyday, and I love to read. But the 2nd time I took the book out from the library, I started reading about 30 pages every single day. I couldn't even put it down when it was time to shower! I do think you should know each chapter is about 3 pages long, the shortest I saw was 1 page. Also that the writing is quite interesting to people who love to read but the way it's written may be too boring for very small kids. But, it has great metaphors, it's funny, fairy tale like, and I love the lesson-I believe what the author wanted to say is surprises and bad things come with being a bully. This is my favorite book of all time and I've exceeded its age range. :D this is a must-read for all ages. I'll leave you alone so you can go get the book. :)
July 22, 2011
I tried to read this to my 7 yr old daughter but after I started getting confused, I knew for sure that she was. This story was weird with a capital weird. Lots of things badly explained, if ever and I never really got a sense of who the characters were. The whole plot of it was rather thrown at you in a few brief and unhelpful paragraphs that created more questions than did answer. I did enjoy The Great Rock Troll though. She was illuminated well. On the whole a clean book for kids, if not a trifle complex to follow entirely unless you pay attention which I rarely do. XD jk
May 31, 2008
In which we learn that shooting stars smell "a little like a grilled cheese sandwich that's been burned . . . only sweeter." Quirky "rivery" fun with river trolls, rock trolls, rhinos, a blue-wing fairy, and some very funny lying crickets. I really wanted to like this book, but for some reason it just never caught me up and pulled me in. It had some fun moments, but overall it was just okay. Although the lying crickets did make me laugh several times!
March 2, 2009
Whimsical and cute, though not very engaging. I found myself struggling to stay focused through some parts of the book, part due to the slow moving plot and part due to a yawning writing style.
The overall idea, the river troll characters, and the conclusion are very cute though. It's not a book you'll want to read more than once, though.
The overall idea, the river troll characters, and the conclusion are very cute though. It's not a book you'll want to read more than once, though.
July 30, 2010
Normally I enjoy books like this that are clean young reads and I love to discuss them with my nieces and nephews, but I had a hard time getting into this one. The little girl is a cute character but Duke is too obnoxious for me. The Old Lady could have been a great character, but I didn't feel like she got al the way there. Anyway I wont recommend it to even my nieces and nephews.
April 28, 2017
This was a strange story revolving around a folklore of magic and magical creatures surrounding the Mississippi River. Makes me want to search my American folklore books to see if the author based it on real folk beliefs or if he made the whole thing up. Entertaining.
September 6, 2008
Quirky, orignal and utterly enchanting! I adored the rivery magic, Nettie's wonderful voice and the truly unique premise. Who can resist bullies being turned into rhinoceroses? I listened to this on audio and found myself taking the long way to prolong the pleasure of the book.
January 17, 2016
A fun little fantasy adventure along the mighty Mississippi. We could all use a Reliable St. John to, erm, point us in the right direction.
September 18, 2019
Claire lives along a stretch of the Mississippi river where magic is still alive, where trolls sit under bridges, and blue-winged fairies weave spells. When her cousin Duke bullies her, his nose begins to grow into a rhinoceros horn, and Claire is misled into a bargain with river trolls to cure him.
The world-building and magic system are quite imaginative and fanciful.
I liked the twisty plot and the odd characters.
The writing style is good, painting a vivid picture of freakish creatures and bizarre magic.
However, the book is much too long. The plot drags on and on with long scenes and lengthy dialogue that take forever to get to the point. I got bored with it, and then something new would finally happen and it would spark my interest again, and then it would drag on and on again, and I got bored again until the next new plot point finally got going.
The world-building and magic system are quite imaginative and fanciful.
I liked the twisty plot and the odd characters.
The writing style is good, painting a vivid picture of freakish creatures and bizarre magic.
However, the book is much too long. The plot drags on and on with long scenes and lengthy dialogue that take forever to get to the point. I got bored with it, and then something new would finally happen and it would spark my interest again, and then it would drag on and on again, and I got bored again until the next new plot point finally got going.
June 10, 2020
In Horns and Wrinkles, the stretch of the Mississippi close to Blue Wing, Minnesota, is a particularly strange part of the river. All sorts of “rivery” things happen around there. A man, a woman and a dog turn to stone, sitting across the breakfast table from each other, and when the police come to help, all they do is reach out to touch the statues and they turn to stone, too. And when Duke throws his cousin, Claire, and her pet turtle into the river and then falls in himself, his nose turns into a rhinoceros horn—and it continues to grow with each new mean thing he does. To get back to his regular nose, all he has to do is ONE genuine act of kindness, but for Duke, this is not an easy solution. His cousin, Clare, is certain she can rescue all of them—but it’s not going to be easy to do, especially with a bunch of cranky trolls involved.
August 6, 2020
Very, very well written and so charming! I loved this children's story and wish I had read it to my two younger children. But I will! This book is a masterwork of children's fiction. The vocabulary is challenging but it's not really beyond what elementary school kids can handle. It may be better to read to some children by a parent or older sibling, but many kids could handle the challenge. The characters are quite varied and interesting. The storyline is very engaging and keeps the reader interested. And I love that it taught that when children misbehave or mouth off to their parents or others there will be consequences. That seems to be lacking in todays world. A great family time story!
September 22, 2022
This is one goofy novel about ugly old river fairies, timid river trolls, riddles, transformations and mysteries. It’s winding as a river and filled with oddball characters, starting with a curious girl who’s constantly dragged into her bullying cousin’s antics. When said cousin gets what’s coming to him, the outcome is one that neither of them expect.
This is one eldritch adventure with people turning into stone, stars falling to earth, bizarre magic and humans becoming beasts straight out of a play by Ionesco. Children with quirky senses of humor will giggle at its nonstop zaniness. Adults will applaud Claire’s spunk, even if it involves showing endless patience with a nasty cousin who’s glad to become a troll.
This is one eldritch adventure with people turning into stone, stars falling to earth, bizarre magic and humans becoming beasts straight out of a play by Ionesco. Children with quirky senses of humor will giggle at its nonstop zaniness. Adults will applaud Claire’s spunk, even if it involves showing endless patience with a nasty cousin who’s glad to become a troll.
July 2, 2017
A wonderful, wonderful book. Funny, very clever and kind. Another reviewer describes it as fairytale-like and I would agree- a fairytale without the tiresome elements like princesses and heavy on the fun stuff like trolls and raccoons in dresses - and calling soda "pop", which is of course the proper term:). Very highly recommended!
*It's the kind of place that shines up good in the moonlight, with lots of crooked old buildings built over a forgotten Indian village.*
Note- there is a one-star review for this book that I almost let sway me to skip this one- however, I'm pretty sure it isn't even for this book as the description doesn't fit the story at all- just fyi!
*It's the kind of place that shines up good in the moonlight, with lots of crooked old buildings built over a forgotten Indian village.*
Note- there is a one-star review for this book that I almost let sway me to skip this one- however, I'm pretty sure it isn't even for this book as the description doesn't fit the story at all- just fyi!
August 3, 2017
Bonus point for original world-building. Fast paced rich adventure fantasy, with interesting characters. Plenty of humor, and the chapter head illustrations charmed. Normally I'm not much into page-turners, but this had so much more going on that it worked for me. And I bet anything it would work for kids, too - boys and girls, age 8-12 I think might be best.
How's this for an original curse threat? "If there's any funny business, I'll turn you all into books. Thick ones, with no pictures, and tiny print."
How's this for an original curse threat? "If there's any funny business, I'll turn you all into books. Thick ones, with no pictures, and tiny print."
January 18, 2023
Horns and Wrinkles has a special place in my family's life as we stumbled across it during a difficult time. The book is comedic, surprising, and, just like the Mississippi which plays a large roll in this book, the plot just keeps sweeping along. I can't think of a better narrator than Jessica Almasy. She was perfect for all of the voices of the crazy characters who parade through the book. She breathes separate life into each. This book has become THE book of my children's wonder years. We still pull it out and listen to it from time to time.
March 10, 2023
This was an interesting read, mainly because of the folksy ways the author used to describe everything. The story itself was creative, but it seemed to have either too many characters or too much running around, or....something. I'm not really sure why it ended up seeming just a bit above average.
The climactic chase/stand-off scene had so many flashing lights, screams and explosions that it seemed made for Hollywood.
Perhaps younger, less sophisticated readers would enjoy it more than those of us who have read more of this type of lit.
The climactic chase/stand-off scene had so many flashing lights, screams and explosions that it seemed made for Hollywood.
Perhaps younger, less sophisticated readers would enjoy it more than those of us who have read more of this type of lit.
November 8, 2018
Don’t get me wrong, I love me some weird. Love unusual children’s stories, Tim Burton, darker fantasy, etc. However, this was strange and hard to follow - & not in a fun dreamlike way.
I was intrigued by the premise, but... Halfway through the book things just got super convoluted. I did finish the book but it so wasn’t worth my time.
I was intrigued by the premise, but... Halfway through the book things just got super convoluted. I did finish the book but it so wasn’t worth my time.
January 7, 2021
Read this book to my kids. It's a cute story I think kids with a love for adventure will love. It follows three trolls and 2 cousins who get intertwined with the trolls because one of the cousins is a trouble maker and the other has a love for toads and reptiles and things. I enjoyed reading it to my kids.
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