The Finger-Eater

by Arthur Robins Dick King-Smith, Arthur Robins (Illustrator)

The Finger Eater

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Collections

60 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Angela Treacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

North. Ulf offers to shake the hands of anybody who passes by his house in the hills but in reality all he wants to do is eat the fingers of these unsuspecting people. He especially prefers to eat the fingers of small children. So extreme is his habit that all the people of the surrounding areas are all missing at least one finger.

A young girl called Gudrun encounters Ulf one day. Her parents had warned her against shaking hands with the troll for fear that she too would lose a finger. Gudrun is a clever little girl and doesn’t think it’s fair that Ulf should eat people’s fingers so she hatches a plan to stop him.

I think that children of about six or seven would appreciate this book. It has large print that is spaced out with detailed illustrations that not only break up the text, but fit in well around the story. I think this type of layout would be appealing for young readers as they would not be intimidated by large amounts of text.

This book could also be a good choice for reading aloud in class. Different voices could be used for the different characters and then the suspense could really be built up while the children try to guess what Gudrun’s plan is to stop the troll eating fingers.

[Rhyannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw a massive allegory in this story for these times…

It’s all very good and well telling children to not shake hands with trolls, but maybe someone ought to tell the troll not to go around eating fingers.

It’s all very good and well telling women / girls to protect themselves, but how about teaching men / boys not to abuse, rape or assault.

[Serena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan of this book. I’m a primary school teacher and when I was given this book for guided reading with my 7-8 year olds, I wasn’t very excited.

The book has strange morals for a children’s novel. Essentially teaching children that when there’s a problem, you don’t need to go to an adult and you can physically attack someone doing wrong. Plus, there were drawings with children holding up their middle fingers from their other ones having been bitten off! Wouldn’t recommend this book for other primary teachers I’m afraid.

[Amaor · Rating 4 out of 5]

the ugly troll has an extremely bad habit- eat human fingers. He has probably had a more hundred fingers, all most all the women, men and children were lack a finger on their hand, especially children because their fingers more tender . until one day, the finger-eater troll met a girl named Gudrun, she is clever and determined girl who told troll eating people's fingers is wrong and gave a lesson he never forgot. in the end the troll only able to suck fingers.

[Bern · Rating 4 out of 5]

The length of this book is perfect for reading in one or 2 sittings at bedtime. It has 5 chapters, illustrations on most pages, and a pleasant story-telling conversational tone (I'm not sure how to explain it but you get the feeling if you should read enough of this authors books, you'd start thinking in the rhythm of his writing).

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read about a Troll called Ulf who likes to go around biting off people's fingers.
That is of course until brave young Gudrun finds a way to stop him in his tracks.

It's a short read but an enjoyable one and part of the Sprinters series of books.

Published 1992.

[Zara Pemberton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to live in the same village as this author. I cannot remember what whether I met him but knew which one was his house.

[Hann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use to be my favourite book in year 3.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, clean, and I like how, even though it's a really short book, the culture of Gudrun's people comes through.

[Stevenlomax1984 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a simple, short book for younger readers based on a traditional tale. Can read in 30 minutes

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book

[Wandee’s Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a predictable ending but it’s still a fun read

[Jonella Sigurjónsdóttir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Þessi bók verður alltaf í uppáhaldi því hún opnaði augu ungs manns, sem ég þekki, fyrir lestri. Svoleiðis bækur eru góðar bækur.

[Chris Chambers · Rating 2 out of 5]

got it for school
me personly
did not like it

[Matt Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

A troll called Ulf greets everyone he meets with a big smile and a polite, "How do you do?", then tries to bite their fingers off. You see Ulf loves eating fingers and just can't help himself from trying to chew down on some delicious digits, until he meets Gudrun, who stops his finger eating for good. The story is told simply, without being boring and the black and white illustrations are very effective and incorporate speech bubbles that add to the story, which would make this a good introduction to chapter books and encourage children to read independently. However, for me there was one big problem with this book: the basic premise requires a fairly hefty suspension of disbelief. The first question my five year old test audience asked was, "Why does anyone shake hands with him?", which is a good question that the book doesn't really answer. Equally as they all know where he lives why don't they put up a sign warning passers by, or just roll a big boulder over the entrance to his hole?

[Adam O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moral tale about Ulf the finger-eater and a little girl called Gudrun who teaches him a lesson. Charming, witty and beautifully illustrated, it can be enjoyed by children alone or used as a class story to raise discussion points about right and wrong, hurting people, punishments etc.

[Chase.curriculum]

Assigned: 2013 Aug, ELL/EL210

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic 'outwit' the troll story. Able to read it in one sitting. Not too scary either!!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next time someone wants to shake your hand beware....is the French translation called the CheekEater?

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable short story (15 minutes) that I listened to on the way to school with my kids.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story-line for the students of class 2-3.

[Malak]

i thing that eateing figers is notgood

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

180 - 2017

[Shaakira Osman]

A nice story at a good length.

I just found the part where she used pliers unnecessary and a tad bit on the gory side for a children's book