Troll and the Oliver

The Troll in question is a large blue lumpy creature and the Oliver a small, red haired lad with a large grin and a cheerful disposition. (Note the use of the definite article here). Said Troll is determined to get his paws on this particular Oliver but the boy’s quick thinking and fast moving has so far managed to thwart his every attempt. Needless to say after several months of this, there is one extremely weary, grumpy and ravenously hungry Troll and one very cocky Oliver. When next the lad sets out with his shopping basket, watchful as ever, he is surprised not to see any signs of his old adversary. It is not until the Oliver is safely back in his kitchen baking cakes that it dawns on him: the Troll has finally given up.  Or has he? Is Oliver’s song of victory just a little premature? Clatter, bang, ‘CHOMP!’ … Whose feet are those dangling from the mouth of that large blue creature in the Oliver’s kitchen? Fortunately for their owner however, the Oliver’s taste is not to Troll’s taste. But the delicious aroma emanating from Oliver’s oven? Now that is another matter altogether.

Adam Stower has a deft touch. His wonderfully expressive illustrations abound with witty details– the sight of woeful Troll clutching a snowman’s head and the Oliver dashing away clad only in his underpants having used his garments to clothe the snowman decoy – is hilarious. His text is as lively as the pictures, especially the Oliver’s sing-song taunts, for instance, ‘My name’s Oliver/and I tricked you/ I’m too clever to be/ Oliver stew’ presented in speech bubbles.  Add to all this the cut away cover at the front, the tasty cupcake recipe at the back and the half-page in the middle which releases Troll from his hiding place to grab the Oliver. This is sure to become a story time favourite.