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kebreads's review against another edition
5.0
I've always loved this book. The illustrations are beautiful.
thriftarchives's review against another edition
5.0
Jan Brett's Christmas Trolls is set in Bergen, Norway and follows siblings Treva and Sami as they prepare for Christmas. Christmas decorations, food, clothing and even a Christmas pudding start to go missing and Treva discovers that trolls are stealing from her family! Treva worries that her most prized possession, a red Dalecarlian horse, will go missing before she can solve the mystery. Treva and her reindeer Arni follow one of the trolls to its home and find all of the family's belongings heaped in a pile. Treva finds two trolls, a brother and sister named Mig & Tig, squabbling over all the items that they had pilfered. She also finds that the trolls think that Christmas comes from the items that they've stolen. Treva teaches them how to decorate for Christmas, make crafts, how to be kind to one another and, most importantly, about the spirit of generosity. Before she leaves, she models generosity by giving the trolls her wooden horse. Treva packs up all the stolen goods and heads home just in time for Christmas morning! When Treva and Sami wake up to a beautiful tree with gifts underneath, they soon find that Mig and Tig have left a Christmas surprise on the front step, just for Treva; a wild and wonderful handmade troll horse!
As with so many Jan Brett books, her intricate illustrations and use of framing is very important and this is no different in The Christmas Trolls. As we watch the story unfold from Treva's point of view, we get the pleasure of seeing the subplot of the Mig and Tig and their pet hedgehog watching, plotting and ultimately "stealing Christmas" from Treva's family, item by item. As the trolls learn about the true meaning of Christmas from Treva, we see their pet hedgehog moving the stolen items and packing up Treva's sled. We then see the hedgehog bring the a wrapped paper package containing the trolls gift for Treva. The final opening of the book shows the trolls and hedgehog, in the framing, cuddling with their gifted horse on Christmas morning.
As a child I loved this story and as I re-read it for my author study, I felt a rush of nostalgia wash over me. Brett's books are fairly straightforward, but the beautiful, intricate illustrations combined with simple story are surprisingly effective. The story-within-a-story element that her framing offers gives an extra level of interest to Christmas Trolls. For all these reasons, Brett remains one of my favorite author and illustrators to this day!
As with so many Jan Brett books, her intricate illustrations and use of framing is very important and this is no different in The Christmas Trolls. As we watch the story unfold from Treva's point of view, we get the pleasure of seeing the subplot of the Mig and Tig and their pet hedgehog watching, plotting and ultimately "stealing Christmas" from Treva's family, item by item. As the trolls learn about the true meaning of Christmas from Treva, we see their pet hedgehog moving the stolen items and packing up Treva's sled. We then see the hedgehog bring the a wrapped paper package containing the trolls gift for Treva. The final opening of the book shows the trolls and hedgehog, in the framing, cuddling with their gifted horse on Christmas morning.
As a child I loved this story and as I re-read it for my author study, I felt a rush of nostalgia wash over me. Brett's books are fairly straightforward, but the beautiful, intricate illustrations combined with simple story are surprisingly effective. The story-within-a-story element that her framing offers gives an extra level of interest to Christmas Trolls. For all these reasons, Brett remains one of my favorite author and illustrators to this day!
natiperleggere's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maddie_hollar's review against another edition
4.0
I’m counting this cause I’ve read so many 500-1000 page books this year he he he he he also it was fun to read this again!
optimaggie's review against another edition
4.0
My son loves this book, we read it every Christmas (often more than once).
wizardowl's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favourite books as a child. The art is beyond gorgeous, with intricate details and little hidden things to find on every page, and the story is sweet and has a great sentiment. An absolutely wonderful children's story, I couldn't recommend it more highly!
katieckb's review against another edition
3.0
This is a children’s picture book about a Scandinavian family who run into problems when trolls try to be mischievous and ruin their Christmas.
toad_maiden's review against another edition
4.0
My poor little heart just wants to live in a Jan Brett book 99% of the time.