Bera the One-Headed Troll

Description

Welcome to the land of the trolls. No babies allowed. Bera doesn't ask for much in life. She's a solitary, humble troll, tending her island pumpkin patch in cheerful isolation. She isn't looking for any trouble. But when trouble comes to find her, it comes in spades. A human baby has arrived in the realm of the trolls, and nobody knows where it came from, but Bera seems to be the only person who doesn't want it dead. There's nothing to it but to return the adorable little thing to its parents. Like it or not, Bera's gone and found herself a quest. From noted picture book illustrator and graphic novelist (Maddy Kettle series) Eric Orchard comes a delightful new fantasy adventure with all the sweetness, spookiness, and satisfaction of your favorite childhood bedtime story.

Eric Orchard is the author and illustrator of the Maddy Kettle books and a number of picture books. He has won a Spectrum Award for his illustrations and has been included in the Society of Illustrators annual exhibition. On his own time, Eric has studied folklore as well as comic books. Bera the One-Headed Troll is inspired by Norse fairy tales and illustrations by Arthur Rackham and Maurice Sendak. Eric currently lives in Toronto with his wife, two young sons, and studio companion: Albert Pineapple the parrot.

This is a gorgeous little graphic novel, with cream, pale orange, and black as the primary colors; these choices establish the otherworldliness of the setting and also reinforce the sleepy, dreamy vibe of a book that takes place almost exclusively at night (the protagonist is a troll, after all).--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books., starred review The world has a Norse vibe evoked by its population of creatures and by the gorgeous landscapes Bera travels through in artfully sequenced graphic panels.... An old-fashioned quest with a lovable protagonist.--Kirkus