- D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls
- By Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
(New York Review, $20)
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths provided many of today's parents with their first exposure to the gods of Mount Olympus. But the d'Aulaires tackled other subjects too, and this newly reissued 1972 book is a literary treasure. It chronicles an old-world Norway where the wilderness comes alive at night with all manner of ghastly creatures. The text introduces the various species ("mountain trolls, forest trolls, water trolls, trolls with one head, trolls with three heads, trolls with 12 heads&"), then seamlessly interweaves tales of humans using their wits to best the grumpy beasts. The stories can be gruesome at times, so discretion should be used with younger children. But those old enough to enjoy a good monster tale are in for a real treat. — Ages 4 to 8
