(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kari Vick. Seven Scandinavian folktales for reading aloud or independent reading. Carefully describing her sources and her own adaptations, Lunge-Larsen shares the traditional stories as well as tongue-in-cheek tips about fooling trolls and finding their remains. The watercolor illustrations depict all kinds of ugly trolls--hairy, stony, and vegetation-covered--in contrast to the cherubic young people who outwit them.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Gareth Hinds. From Achilles' heel to victory, Lunge-Larsen explores how words have been derived from myths. Each entry begins with a definition plus a quote that incorporates it. Next comes the relevant myth, along with graphic novel–style art, its pencil and watercolor renditions enlivening the straightforward text with eloquent gestures and expressions. The classic tales and lively pictures make an effective lure to etymology's dramatic possibilities. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. According to this playful tale, Noah's ark was warm and steamy inside, so when the sheep jostled together in stormy weather, their wool turned into felt--a marvelous new material, excellent, Noah finds, for creating warm clothing. Distinctive mixed-media illustrations match the story's humorous tone. An endnote about felt is included. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Beth Krommes. This attractive and entertaining but relatively insubstantial collection of nine folktales, derived from the author's Scandinavian childhood, showcases the behaviors one might expect from fairies, dwarves, selkies, and the like. The prefaces in which Lunge-Larsen separately characterizes these elusive beings are often meatier than the tales themselves, and the colorful scratchboard artwork is more decorative than illuminating. Bib.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mary Azarian. Azarian's luminous woodcuts perfectly suit this historical winter tale. In thirteenth-century Norway, a few courageous cross-country skiers saved the infant Prince HÃ¥kon from noblemen who wanted to usurp the throne. The daring rescue and the subsequent heroic act by HÃ¥kon's mother make for an exciting read. A brief author's note explains how much of the legend is factual and which details were added to flesh out the story. Bib.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Betsy Bowen. With notes as rich as the tales, Lunge-Larsen traverses the landscape of the troll story, beginning with "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" and ending with what amounts to a troll knock-knock joke, "Trolls Shouting." In between come eight tales alike only in their suitability for rambunctious reading-aloud. Bowen's woodcuts, strong in line and rustic in flavor, hew to the boldness of the stories.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1999

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Andrea Arroyo. Arroyo's simple, striking illustrations fit well with this moving story about a young girl who braves a snowstorm to get medicinal herbs when the villagers become ill. She loses her moccasins and leaves bloody footprints on the path, which that spring is lined with flowers that come to be known as the moccasin flower, or lady slipper. The text, which is sprinkled with Ojibwe words, is spare but effective. Source note included. Bib.

Reviewer: Debbie Reese