Seven Ways to Trick a Troll by Lise Lunge-Larsen illustrated by Kari Vick

 Ms. Larsen explains that according to the ancient Norse story,  our world was created from the enormous frost giant, Ymir, the father of all trolls. Even though trolls are extinct, she claims that you can find parts of them in creation. The bulk of the book is dedicated in sharing how one can trick a troll through old Nordic tales retellings. 

Kids will love hearing these short, clever stories. My oldest son would have loved this book as a preschooler/early elementary student!

Considerations/discussions: How was the world truly created, Did trolls ever exist?

-Borrowed from the library.

Hedgie's Surprise by Jan Brett*

Henny is tired of the Tomten stealing her egg each morning for breakfast.  Her friend Hedgie comes up with plans to deter him but when the Tomten threatens to eat Henny, Hedgie must create a mega plan!
We love Jan Brett's books but somehow missed reading this one prior to today.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: predicting, sequencing, story elements/retelling

The Rockabilly Goats Gruff by Jeff Crosby

A cute fractured fairy tale of the Three Billy Goats Gruff.  The goats are musicians and need to cross the bridge to get to their show destination.  Their loud hot rods chase away the trolls supper.
Clever, fun solution.

The Trolls by Polly Horvath

While their parents tour Paris for a week, Melissa, Amanda, and Frank (aka Pee Wee) finally meet their Aunt Sally who watches them.  She fills their time together sharing stories about their extended family . . .stories that their father (Aunt Sally's youngest brother) has never shared.
Each chapter is dedicated to a different story with the ongoing urge for her tell the story about the trolls on Vancouver Island.
The word choice is well selected and the book is well written.  I skipped some paragraphs while reading this aloud to my seven year old because I thought some of the stories were not appropriate or a bit horrifying.
Warning: one swear word; talks about Wiccas; some descriptions how people died
*Won "National book Award Finalist".

The Troll Music by Anita Lobel

A group of musicians is well accepted and appreciated in every town.  One night while they slept in the woods, a troll wanted to hear their music.  When they would not wake up and play for him, he cast a horrible spell on them.  The musicians then must figure out a way to make the troll remove the spell.
An older story but entertaining and fun to read!