Vole and Troll written and illustrated by Iza Trapani is a colorful, jolly book for very young children. It will delight the senses as four childhood tunes, namely, This Old Man, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Hokey-Pokey and If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands are key to the story’s progression. Parents and grandparents will want to brush up on those tunes before storytelling time.
Based casually on the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, a Norwegian fairytale, little Vole tries to cross the bridge to eat the special grass on the other side. Huge Troll, who by the way loves to sing, stops him and threatens to eat him if he doesn’t pay the fee on Troll’s toll bridge. Each time Vole tries to cross the bridge he cleverly outsmarts Troll by teaching him a new song causing him to be distracted.
Although Troll is furious each time he is tricked, he finally bonds with Vole when Vole joins him in song and sings a sweet high harmony. Troll is overjoyed! “Never had he heard such beautiful sounds. No one had ever sung with him before. He threw his hands to his once-lonely heart and sighed.” With the help of music they become great friends.
The illustrations are peppy! The tiny Vole wears a little red coat and moves about barefoot. The huge Troll has a head of wild orange hair that seems to keep time with the songs. The final illustration shows Vole and Troll enjoying their friendship. Vole is about to read a book entitled Songs for Two Voices and Troll is reading the Vegetarian Cookbook!
Vole and Troll written and illustrated by Iza Trapani is a joyful book in words, pictures and songs for youngsters 2-5 years of age (Charlesbridge, 2019).
Activity questions for Vole and Troll
Vole taught Troll how to sing and move to many songs such as The Hokey Pokey. With the help of a parent or grandparent get up and dance and sing this song. The words, music and movements are available online. Have fun putting your right foot in and taking your right foot out while you do the hokey pokey and turn yourself about! Now try doing the song and movements as if you were the Troll. When you start to move remember the Troll is big and tall and loves music.
Play an I Spy game. Study the last picture in this book and find the following 12 things: a squirrel, a tree trunk, dancing frogs, pink flowers, a turtle, a song book, a wooden bowl, water, Voles, a bunny rabbit running away, fish and toad stools.
What songs do you sing? Think about it. If you were to meet Troll on the bridge what song would you teach him? Why? Draw a picture of you and Troll singing your song.
