What is a tired troll to do? Herb MacLeod delivers a hilarious, playful take on Three Billy Goats Gruff. This is a fun read aloud picture book for parents, as they’ll have much to sympathise with the misunderstood Grumble, who becomes increasingly frustrated when his attempts to get a good rest are thwarted time and again. Herb MacDonald does a superb job with the illustrations and captures all the nasty and unsavoury qualities that we associate from Norse folklore. Bold splashes of colour and close ups of the troll’s menacing toothy roars and twitching hairy ears bring a lightness and humour that will appeal to young readers. This is a nicely subtle lesson about the outcomes of craving something so badly.

Roger, Little Unity