School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Troll is determined to eat "the Oliver," an impish, red-haired little boy who delights in taunting him at every turn. Troll chases Oliver through woods and over bridges but is unable to catch his most coveted prey. Despondent, he decides to give up the chase and return to his hole to eat twigs while Oliver triumphantly goes home to bake himself a victory cake. Alas, just as Oliver is about to commence with the celebrations, Troll jumps out of the pantry and eats him in one gigantic bite. Luckily, Oliver tastes REVOLTING and Troll spits him out in disgust. While both sit gloomily on the floor (Oliver covered in drool, Troll looking sad and hungry) the oven timer dings and Oliver and Troll realize they both love cake! Stower has created an enchanting tale full of surprise, mischief, and lots of laughs. The book makes excellent use of white space, and Troll's stalking of Oliver and subsequent failures will delight readers as will the horrifying reappearance of Troll in Oliver's kitchen. Children will relish the chase, capture, and cake-eating antics of these two unlikely friends. The end pages contain a recipe for Troll Cupcakes and decorating tips and are a wonderful addition. VERDICT A definite and delightful purchase.-Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MI © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Every day around lunchtime... / Troll tries to eat the Oliver." This giddy-making, tables-turning story goads the reader to root for Troll, not for the human, a gloating child ("My name's Oliver / and I tricked you / I'm too clever to be / Troll's stew!"). The artfully ramshackle scenes show the adversaries ultimately making peace over cake (recipe included). (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A cleverand impossibly cutechild thwarts a bumbling beast at every turn. Every day around lunchtime, big blue Troll tries to eat the little Oliver, who dances mirthfully over hill and dale and through forest, singing a taunting tune. "You'll never catch me! / I'm much too quickas you can see." Indeed, this seems to be true. The Oliver suddenly vanishes whenever Troll gets close. Readers will almost feel sorry for the green-eyed, snaggle-toothed monster. The pursuit goes on for many months, through winter and into the new year's thaw. One day, exhausted and demoralized, Troll decides to go back to his cave. Later, the Oliver sees no trace of Troll; it's most peculiar. As he's mixing up a cake batter, the Oliver realizes that he's won. And at that very moment, Troll leaps out of hiding via a nifty half-page turn: "CHOMP!" It turns out, though, that Olivers taste terrible, and Troll spits it out. Both sit in depressed silence until a ding from the oven awakens them, changing everything. It turns out they both love CAKE! Not since Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner has there been such a happy mismatch of inept hunter and blithe prey. Stower's ink-and-wash illustrations use white space and a hand-drawn feeling for maximum mirth. Bonus: a recipe from The Trolliver Cookbook. Nicely tuned to a preschool sense of the ridiculous. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
