For children fascinated by folklore and creatures from the wild, this book offers tales of courage, cunning, and encounters with Norway's most notorious mythical beings: trolls.
A parent might reach for this book when their child, already a fan of fantasy and mythology, is ready for stories with more depth and peril than sanitized fairy tales offer. This collection of nine authentic Norwegian folktales introduces children to the world of trolls: giant, formidable creatures who are powerful but often outsmarted by clever and courageous heroes. The stories explore themes of bravery in the face of fear, the triumph of intelligence over brute strength, and the resilience needed to overcome immense challenges. Ideal for ages 8-12, this book is a fantastic way to introduce classic folklore, sparking conversations about problem-solving and courage in a context that feels both ancient and exciting.
Protagonists are consistently in danger of being eaten or imprisoned by trolls.
Sensitive Topics
The book contains peril and threats common to classic folklore. Trolls threaten to eat people, turn them to stone, or imprison them. The violence is not graphic: trolls are defeated by being tricked into turning to stone in the sun, bursting from drinking too much, or having their external heart destroyed. The approach is metaphorical, representing the overcoming of obstacles. The resolution of each tale is hopeful and positive for the human protagonists, reinforcing a clear good versus evil worldview in a secular, folkloric context.
Ideal Reader
This is for the 8 to 11-year-old who is captivated by mythology, fantasy worlds like those in Dungeons & Dragons, or folklore. They have outgrown simpler fairy tales and are looking for something with higher stakes and more cleverness. This reader appreciates an underdog hero and enjoys stories where brains win out over brawn. It is perfect for a child who likes to solve riddles and think strategically.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the illustrations by Betsy Bowen, which are woodcuts that can be dark and stark, potentially frightening for more sensitive children. It would be helpful to provide context that these stories were told for centuries to explain the natural world and teach lessons about being resourceful. Reading the author's introduction and afterword together can enrich the experience. A parent has noticed their child's deep interest in monsters, myths, and fantasy creatures. The child might be asking for scarier stories or showing a fascination with how classic monsters are defeated in video games or movies. This book provides a rich, cultural alternative to mainstream monster stories.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will likely focus on the adventure and the scariness of the trolls. They will enjoy the thrill and the clear victory of the hero. An older reader (10-12) will be better able to appreciate the nuances of the hero's cleverness, the cultural context provided by the author, and the recurring motifs that connect the stories to a larger folkloric tradition.
What Makes It Special
Unlike broader European fairy tale anthologies, this book offers a deep dive specifically into Norwegian troll lore. Lise Lunge-Larsen, a professional storyteller, provides introductions to each tale and an afterword that grounds the stories in their cultural and geographical context. This educational framework, combined with the raw authenticity of the tales, sets it apart from more sanitized or generalized collections.
Read plot summary
This book is a curated collection of nine traditional Norwegian folktales, all centered on encounters with trolls. The stories feature classic folklore archetypes, particularly the 'Askeladden' or 'Ash Lad', an underestimated youngest son who succeeds through wit, kindness, and perseverance. Tales include heroes rescuing princesses, brothers saving one another, and protagonists undertaking seemingly impossible tasks. The titular story, 'The Troll with No Heart in His Body', follows a prince on a quest to find a troll's external heart to break a curse. Other stories explore different types of trolls and the clever ways humans manage to survive and defeat them.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In many stories, the hero is Askeladden (the Ash Lad), the youngest son who others think is lazy. Why do you think folktales often feature heroes that other people underestimate?
2
The troll in the title story hides his heart far away from his body to stay safe. If you could place your heart somewhere for safekeeping, where would it be and why?
3
The heroes in these stories almost never fight the trolls with swords or physical strength. They use sunlight, tricks, or their intelligence. What does this suggest about the best way to solve big, scary problems?
4
The author explains that people used troll stories to make sense of the natural landscape, like a giant boulder in a field. What is a modern story or explanation we use for something we don't fully understand?
