Customer Reviews

Orso: The Troll Who Couldn't Scare

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This story is packed full of good messages for children, good will win over evil, you can be what you want if you try hard enough, your parents will always love you if you stay true to yourself, but it never gives in to sappy sentiment. Plus, Orso the Troll is so darn cute, how can you not root for him.

The high point of this picture book are the lavish pictures drawn by Jeremy Balzer. From the first page, it feels as if the reader has stepped into one of the stylized rides at Disneyland. A two-page spread filled with Orso's father growling at a late-night, lantern-carrying traveler in a horse and carriage provides more description than the words alone ever could.

Every single page on this book is chock full of detail that I'm sure will keep adults wanting to stay with the story until the very end. Orso: The Troll Who Couldn't Scare is a definite must-have for your child's library.

My three daughters ages 7,5, and 4 absolutely love Orso and have made it their favorite book. Having ordered this book for the first time in November of '05, we have reordered several for gifts and friends. You will love the truly original and fresh illustrations from start to end.
Brent

I think these illustrations are beautiful. Jeremy Balzer should illustrate more childrens books! I enjoyed the use of color and the great compositions. I haven't read it yet cause I'm too busy looking at the art!

Orso the troll isn't like other trolls. While his dad spends his days hiding under a bridge, waiting for people to come along so he can scare them, Orso climbs trees and plays in fields and talks to the clouds. When Orso turns eight, his father decides it's time for him to learn how to scare people. Orso knows it's what trolls are supposed to do, but he doesn't want to scare people. He'd rather do anything but scare people. And what he'd really like is a friend or two to play with.

Orso:The Troll Who Couldn't Scare is the story of a little troll who makes a difference in himself and others-just by being himself. The story, written by Brad Theissen, is playful and imaginative-with a Shrek-like, even-bad-creatures-can-be-good theme. The illustrations by Jeremy Balzer are rich, artistic, and fun (keep an eye out for Orso's insect friends and the faces in the clouds). And despite the frequent dark scenes (after all, Orso and his dad live in a cave), Balzer's illustrations manage to down-play the scariness of the trolls and emphasize their fun-loving side. This book is a charming addition to your kids' library-and reading it will bring a smile to your face, too.

The story is playful and original, and the brilliant illustrations bring it to life.

Everybody knows trolls hide under the bridge and when you cross, they jump out and scare you to death right?
Right. Except, well, there are trolls, and then there's ORSO THE TROLL WHO COULDN'T SCARE. He's the main character in a picture book with story by Brad Thiessen and illustrations by Jeremy Balzer. The team has created a charming tale and setting, for people aged 3 t0 8, but the story's sure to delight anybody.
Orso Troll lives with his father under a bridge. Mr. Troll takes great delight in frightening people out of their wits, but Orso would rather spend the day climbing trees, walking in the meadow, playing with the animals he meets in the forest, and talking to clouds.
The day Orso turns eight, he sits in front of his birthday cake wishing he could share it with some troll friends. But though gentle with him, his father explains that trolls don't have friends. They're only good for one thing, scaring people. "You have me," Dad points out, when Orso feels alone.
For the reassurance, Orso gives his father a big troll hug. That tickles, and his dad begs him to cut it out. Trolls don't give hugs, though Mr. Troll finds himself enjoying the one he's gotten.
The next day, Dad takes Orso under the bridge, to learn to scare the world. But poor Orso can't even try. Running home, he cowers on his bed. His dad accepts that Orso is going to be a nontraditional troll. Together, they try to think of other things trolls might do, besides frighten everyone. Nothing comes to mind.
Next morning, two human children, Lizzy and Jacob, meet Orso in the woods. Orso tries halfheartedly to frightens them. He almost succeeds with Jacob, but Lizzy laughs.
What happens next brings a startled response from Mr. Troll, a big change in both Orso and Mr. Troll's lives, and something very special on Orso's next birthday, when he turns 9.
ORSO THE TROLL WHO COULDN'T SCARE empowers children.
Brad Thiessen suggests even the smallest youngsater make a big difference in a loved one's life, even if that person is a grown up.
The author also breaks stereotypes found in traditional stories about creatures such as trolls. He depicts girls as strong, and guys as flexible and willing to examine the lives they are leading.
The troll characters have the gambit of moods. They grow and change, as good characters should in a story.
Belief in trolls dates back thousands of years, especially in Scandinavia, but Mr. Thiessen tells Orso's story in 21st Century language. Illustrator Jeremy Balzer sets the tale in a world neither ancient nor modern. His pictures are spooky in a fun way. They catch Orso's feelings from the joy he gets while swinging on a tree branch, to the terror he experiences when his father roars at the driver of a horse and wagon.
The effect gives ORSO THE TROLL WHO COULDN'T SCARE a timeless sense, and a sense of the harmless fun found in a scary, but make believe, Halloween costume. It delivers the gentle message that being truly mean is not necessary--even for a troll. There is another way to get through life. Everybody, even a three-year-old, can find it.