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The Troll Trap
Rufus Sebbleford is the only boy in the world to have ever seen a real troll. So, when he finds out that trolls plan to attack Sludgeside School, he must stop them with the help of his good friend Polly.
Meanwhile, the Super-Troll-Knobbly-Foot family decide to turn their backs on smelly bottoms and eating children. They don't want to be bad any more. So, they paint themselves orange and try to live like humans. However, being enormous, horned and slimy makes it difficult to blend in.
Will Sludgeside ever be safe from the disgusting bad trolls and their horrifying leader, The Ogre of Uggle?
A stinky, squelchy adventure packed with secret dens, tree climbing, troll traps and lots and lots of revolting smells.
Reading age 8-10. Ideal to read aloud to younger children.
Meanwhile, the Super-Troll-Knobbly-Foot family decide to turn their backs on smelly bottoms and eating children. They don't want to be bad any more. So, they paint themselves orange and try to live like humans. However, being enormous, horned and slimy makes it difficult to blend in.
Will Sludgeside ever be safe from the disgusting bad trolls and their horrifying leader, The Ogre of Uggle?
A stinky, squelchy adventure packed with secret dens, tree climbing, troll traps and lots and lots of revolting smells.
Reading age 8-10. Ideal to read aloud to younger children.
- GenresChildrens
186 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2012
7 people are currently reading
808 people want to read
About the author
Rosen Trevithick
32 books275 followersRosen is a British bestselling author, who writes fiction for children and adults.
She was born in Cornwall and grew up on Restronguet Creek. She studied Experimental Psychology at St Catherine's College, Oxford, before moving back to the West Country. She now lives on the south coast of Devon with two imaginary cats, fantasising about getting a real one.
In 2011 Rosen was an aspiring author. Writing was a hobby. The following January sales of her books on Kindle took off, and by October she has sold 27,000 copies and her total download count exceeds 220,000. She now has three books in print: Pompomberry House, Seesaw and The Troll Trap, as well as many digital titles.
Rosen writes in a variety of genres with a strong leaning towards comedy. She has also dabbled with psychological fiction and mystery writing.
She loves wild swimming, mountain biking, interesting boots, quiffs, 'sampling' chocolate and cooking tasty treats. She dislikes house spiders, doing laundry and people putting costumes on their cats.
She was born in Cornwall and grew up on Restronguet Creek. She studied Experimental Psychology at St Catherine's College, Oxford, before moving back to the West Country. She now lives on the south coast of Devon with two imaginary cats, fantasising about getting a real one.
In 2011 Rosen was an aspiring author. Writing was a hobby. The following January sales of her books on Kindle took off, and by October she has sold 27,000 copies and her total download count exceeds 220,000. She now has three books in print: Pompomberry House, Seesaw and The Troll Trap, as well as many digital titles.
Rosen writes in a variety of genres with a strong leaning towards comedy. She has also dabbled with psychological fiction and mystery writing.
She loves wild swimming, mountain biking, interesting boots, quiffs, 'sampling' chocolate and cooking tasty treats. She dislikes house spiders, doing laundry and people putting costumes on their cats.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 27, 2013
Let me start by saying, neither my son nor I are in the target group for this book. However… I don’t think there really should be one! My son is four and I’m older than that, a lot older and WE absolutely loved it! We’ve had story time together since he was an infant and as he’s got older, obviously, the books have changed. This means I’m always on the lookout for good quality children’s fiction we can read together,and there are some good ones out there. I think this one is right up there with the best.
We read it together on my laptop since the kindle broke two weeks ago. (I don’t know how Daddy, it just went pop!) He identified with the characters and I hope the author won’t mind but we changed the characters names to represent people he knows. Even our grumpy neighbour featured heavily.
The book is beautifully written and the language perfect for children (and adults) of any age.
I’m not going to talk about the storyline because you’ll have to read it. But, it’s a proper story with proper adventures and to me that’s really important because you’ve got to maintain their interest. It’s just good clean (alright there’s lots of Troll related grunge in there) fun.
The best bit about the book for me, were the belly laughs it caused in my son, not just once but countless times through the story. They are infectious! There were times when I started sniggering at something we’d just read and that set us both off again. This is the first book where both of us have found it equally funny and for me the bonding experience I had with him as a result will never be forgotten. It was a wonderful experience.
We will miss the story tonight. Can we have some more?
We read it together on my laptop since the kindle broke two weeks ago. (I don’t know how Daddy, it just went pop!) He identified with the characters and I hope the author won’t mind but we changed the characters names to represent people he knows. Even our grumpy neighbour featured heavily.
The book is beautifully written and the language perfect for children (and adults) of any age.
I’m not going to talk about the storyline because you’ll have to read it. But, it’s a proper story with proper adventures and to me that’s really important because you’ve got to maintain their interest. It’s just good clean (alright there’s lots of Troll related grunge in there) fun.
The best bit about the book for me, were the belly laughs it caused in my son, not just once but countless times through the story. They are infectious! There were times when I started sniggering at something we’d just read and that set us both off again. This is the first book where both of us have found it equally funny and for me the bonding experience I had with him as a result will never be forgotten. It was a wonderful experience.
We will miss the story tonight. Can we have some more?
March 25, 2013
'The Troll Trap' is not the typical Rosen Trevithick fare I am used to. Previously, I have read 'Seesaw' and 'Pompomberry House', the former a series of often dark adult stories, the latter a wildly funny, biting satire. This book is aimed at children, but I must stress I am neither a child nor have children. The book still worked for me, though. As with the best children's books, e.g. Roald Dahl, this book can be enjoyed just as much by adults too.
I read this book with two minds: my own adult mind and the mind of a child (not too difficult on my part!). The book easily works on both levels. The author is clearly gifted at writing for little ones, for she captures smells and touch brilliantly and she has a wonderful turn of phrase which will get kids giggling. Adults will also smile at the book (as I did) and laugh a little too (which I also did!). My favourite character was, by far, the Ma troll, who tries her best to fit in as a human but fails miserably. It's a comic treasure of a character. Even now, I can hear her grunting the word 'benefits' as a way to live as a human and it makes me laugh out loud. Rosen has a bizarre sense of humour and she puts it to great use in this book.
I must also mention the brilliant little pictures at the start of each chapter. The illustrator lends charm to the book and I often found myself going back to the picture after finishing the chapter, for the chapter itself often explains what the drawing is about. The picture on the cover is bizarre but it is explained in the book's ending, where different bits from earlier in the book all come together to build to a clever conclusion.
This is exactly how I imagine a children's book to be. Menacing enough to thrill children (but not scare them too much) and with just about the right amount of humour and emotion. Sure, it's a bit sweet in the end, but it's a children's book so you wouldn't expect profound open endings! Is this children's book a hit? A big smelly yarb!
I read this book with two minds: my own adult mind and the mind of a child (not too difficult on my part!). The book easily works on both levels. The author is clearly gifted at writing for little ones, for she captures smells and touch brilliantly and she has a wonderful turn of phrase which will get kids giggling. Adults will also smile at the book (as I did) and laugh a little too (which I also did!). My favourite character was, by far, the Ma troll, who tries her best to fit in as a human but fails miserably. It's a comic treasure of a character. Even now, I can hear her grunting the word 'benefits' as a way to live as a human and it makes me laugh out loud. Rosen has a bizarre sense of humour and she puts it to great use in this book.
I must also mention the brilliant little pictures at the start of each chapter. The illustrator lends charm to the book and I often found myself going back to the picture after finishing the chapter, for the chapter itself often explains what the drawing is about. The picture on the cover is bizarre but it is explained in the book's ending, where different bits from earlier in the book all come together to build to a clever conclusion.
This is exactly how I imagine a children's book to be. Menacing enough to thrill children (but not scare them too much) and with just about the right amount of humour and emotion. Sure, it's a bit sweet in the end, but it's a children's book so you wouldn't expect profound open endings! Is this children's book a hit? A big smelly yarb!
March 23, 2013
Let me start by saying that this book probably wasn't written for me. You see I'm not a child and this is a children's story. There are some that would argue that really I am still a kid who has just kept growing over the years, but what do they know?
Now some would say that an adult shouldn't read a story intended for children and to them I say "Phooey! You're talking out of your pooh hole!" If people listened to such talk then they would miss gems like this. In some ways it was quite refreshing to read a story that is essentially pure, it lives in the imagination. Although on a few occasions I wonder if it was actually a clever allegory about immigration and new people adjusting to life in a strange land.
Whether that is the case or not is irrelevant, this is a fun story. Well written and full of the wonder I remember seeing in the world as a young boy. The book is illustrated with some charming cartoons. Well worth a read no matter what size child you are.
Now some would say that an adult shouldn't read a story intended for children and to them I say "Phooey! You're talking out of your pooh hole!" If people listened to such talk then they would miss gems like this. In some ways it was quite refreshing to read a story that is essentially pure, it lives in the imagination. Although on a few occasions I wonder if it was actually a clever allegory about immigration and new people adjusting to life in a strange land.
Whether that is the case or not is irrelevant, this is a fun story. Well written and full of the wonder I remember seeing in the world as a young boy. The book is illustrated with some charming cartoons. Well worth a read no matter what size child you are.
April 24, 2013
I am a fan of Rosen's work and when I saw that she had written a children's book I was surprised and delighted. My 5 year old son and I have read this book a bit each night for the last two weeks, and we both loved it. A troll claiming benefits to feed her troll children, classic. So engaging and funny, this book was a big hit with my little man, who reads above his age and is a huge fan of the BFG, which this book has some parallels with.
Enjoyable for adults and children, this book is another example of just how good and versatile a writer Rosen is. This book was the best thing I have read since Trevor Forest's Magic Molly series, which is equally well written and hilarious. Check them out for your little ones when you can.
Enjoyable for adults and children, this book is another example of just how good and versatile a writer Rosen is. This book was the best thing I have read since Trevor Forest's Magic Molly series, which is equally well written and hilarious. Check them out for your little ones when you can.
April 4, 2014
This book is great fun, with lots of icky stinky trolls and a nice 'good vs evil' storyline! The writing is very vivid, and the names and descriptions of the trolls raised more than a few laughs.
One point I would raise, depending on the age of your child, would be the topic of benefits, assimilating into a new culture, etc. Not in a negative way, just that I'd want to use the book to raise questions like whether or not somebody should reject every aspect of their old culture, or how benefits enabled the trolls to get through a very difficult transition period (as opposed to what they might hear in the media!) with older children.
One point I would raise, depending on the age of your child, would be the topic of benefits, assimilating into a new culture, etc. Not in a negative way, just that I'd want to use the book to raise questions like whether or not somebody should reject every aspect of their old culture, or how benefits enabled the trolls to get through a very difficult transition period (as opposed to what they might hear in the media!) with older children.
March 19, 2013
A wonderfully told tale about 10 year old Rufus who, at the age of 5 years and 364 days, almost became a Trolls supper, but was saved by an unknown archer and grew older, determined to become a Troll Hunter and rid his town of the Trolls in the nearby woods.
However, he has a few surprises to deal with first .....
However, he has a few surprises to deal with first .....
February 13, 2013
I really enjoyed writing this book - lots of fun!
March 20, 2013
Very entertaining. This is a wonderful children's book.
March 25, 2017
This wonderful book will delight children (and their teachers!). Rufus wants to be a Troll Hunter. He knows there are trolls, and he knows they are dangerous, even if almost everyone else thinks he is crazy. But then he meets some nice friendly trolls and has to admit that not all trolls are bad eaters of children (however they are still rather smelly). Together with his new friends, the human girl, Polly, and the troll boy, Bruno, Rufus sets out to free his town of Sludgeside from the threat of evil trolls, and to welcome the good trolls into the neighbourhood.
The book is full of fabulous names – both for the trolls and the humans – that will have young (and old) readers giggling aloud: Farmer Fickletrout; Barry Blithrers, Aala Snickermouth; Anita Grumblenose; Mr Grubstopper; Gunkfreak; Gobb Podgeleton; the Ogre of Uggle; Boris Grimboil; and Mustyfur Wartface. And then there are the place names: the town of Sludgeside and the crocodile infested Muckygush river. The story-line is action packed, funny and exciting, with a satisfying twist at the end that leaves everyone (except the bad trolls) very happy.
As with every good children’s book, there are important lessons to be learned:
1) Don’t judge others by appearance, gender, species, race or religion – even if the religion is the silly sounding Hopscotchism
2) Never underestimate the courage and resilience of a human girl
3) If you catch a whiff of smelly cheese and Brussel sprouts, then someone may be cooking a tasty meal from Delia Smith’s Christmas cookbook (pages 140, 142, 86 - other exciting sprout recipes are available), but if there is also the odour of sweaty fish (?!) and stinky bottom burps, then look out for marauding trolls
4) You CAN teach an old troll new tricks (see Ma Trolley)
5) Parents with dependable TV watching habits are an asset
6) Every child needs a kind, patient and resourceful teacher with interesting lessons, like Mr Crimplemop
7) Always pay attention in school, because you never know when something that you learn there will save your life.
8) Never give up on your dreams
A book to be read and reread and most of all, enjoyed.
I received this copy from the author via Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review
The book is full of fabulous names – both for the trolls and the humans – that will have young (and old) readers giggling aloud: Farmer Fickletrout; Barry Blithrers, Aala Snickermouth; Anita Grumblenose; Mr Grubstopper; Gunkfreak; Gobb Podgeleton; the Ogre of Uggle; Boris Grimboil; and Mustyfur Wartface. And then there are the place names: the town of Sludgeside and the crocodile infested Muckygush river. The story-line is action packed, funny and exciting, with a satisfying twist at the end that leaves everyone (except the bad trolls) very happy.
As with every good children’s book, there are important lessons to be learned:
1) Don’t judge others by appearance, gender, species, race or religion – even if the religion is the silly sounding Hopscotchism
2) Never underestimate the courage and resilience of a human girl
3) If you catch a whiff of smelly cheese and Brussel sprouts, then someone may be cooking a tasty meal from Delia Smith’s Christmas cookbook (pages 140, 142, 86 - other exciting sprout recipes are available), but if there is also the odour of sweaty fish (?!) and stinky bottom burps, then look out for marauding trolls
4) You CAN teach an old troll new tricks (see Ma Trolley)
5) Parents with dependable TV watching habits are an asset
6) Every child needs a kind, patient and resourceful teacher with interesting lessons, like Mr Crimplemop
7) Always pay attention in school, because you never know when something that you learn there will save your life.
8) Never give up on your dreams
A book to be read and reread and most of all, enjoyed.
I received this copy from the author via Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review
April 14, 2013
The Troll Trap is something of a departure for author Rosen Trevithick, but from reading it you might think she has been writing children's fiction for years. This is an accomplished and exciting story, designed to appeal to kids by grossing them out - something they always love!
Just the names of the characters gives a good flavour of the book (even if that flavour is probably cheesy feet mixed with rancid cabbage). Trolls such as Gunkfreak, Gobb Podgelton, the Super-Troll-Knobbly-Foot family and the terrifying Ogre of Uggle, are just as memorable as humans Rufus Sebbleford, Polly Chromatic, and teachers Mr Crimplemop and Mr Grubstopper. All mixed up in an adventure to stop the trolls eating a school using cunning plans, secret hideouts and dangerous missions.
The illustrations by Katie Stewart benefit this book enormously. Each chapter begins with a gorgeous drawing, so you can see for youself how repulsive the trolls are, and the ingenious plans of the kids fighting them.
The Troll Trap is a book guaranteed to make you go "Ewwwwwwwwww!" - in a good way!
Just the names of the characters gives a good flavour of the book (even if that flavour is probably cheesy feet mixed with rancid cabbage). Trolls such as Gunkfreak, Gobb Podgelton, the Super-Troll-Knobbly-Foot family and the terrifying Ogre of Uggle, are just as memorable as humans Rufus Sebbleford, Polly Chromatic, and teachers Mr Crimplemop and Mr Grubstopper. All mixed up in an adventure to stop the trolls eating a school using cunning plans, secret hideouts and dangerous missions.
The illustrations by Katie Stewart benefit this book enormously. Each chapter begins with a gorgeous drawing, so you can see for youself how repulsive the trolls are, and the ingenious plans of the kids fighting them.
The Troll Trap is a book guaranteed to make you go "Ewwwwwwwwww!" - in a good way!
April 7, 2014
I won a copy of The Troll Trap through Goodreads First Reads and read it with my six year old daughter at night. The book is written for children aged between 8 - 10 years old and this did show with the interest my daughter showed in the book, personally I think I enjoyed it more, not enough fairies and princesses for her. I have passed the book on to my nine year old nephew to read an review, the ratings may change on his opinion.
Having read a lot of childrens books, from Jeremy Strong to Captain Underpants to diary of a wimpy kid to the rainbow fairies, I would recommend this book for the younger child, although I personally felt it was a better book than the other.
The book is well written and humour works well with the imagery provided. I personally laughed at the idea of a troll stuck to a sheep with Velcro gloves.
The story is a little controversial, with a troll family taking on the image of a family on benefits, however it is not written with a belittling stand point and few other people have jumped on this.
Having read a lot of childrens books, from Jeremy Strong to Captain Underpants to diary of a wimpy kid to the rainbow fairies, I would recommend this book for the younger child, although I personally felt it was a better book than the other.
The book is well written and humour works well with the imagery provided. I personally laughed at the idea of a troll stuck to a sheep with Velcro gloves.
The story is a little controversial, with a troll family taking on the image of a family on benefits, however it is not written with a belittling stand point and few other people have jumped on this.
September 9, 2016
I was going to let my 10 year old step-son read this first and get him to help me with a review but well I started it intending to read the first chapter, but once I started it was to much fun so he's had to wait until I finished, I found the troll trap a very enjoyable story perfect for children, the characters have fun names and there are plenty of funny moments, the story is well written and will keep any child interested throughout the whole book I've not read any of Rosen Trevithick before but will look out for her other troll books, I gave Shay my step-son the book Friday evening and he finished it Saturday morning, he's first words were it was brilliant I really enjoyed it
He's going do write a review over the Easter holidays which I will add to this
He's going do write a review over the Easter holidays which I will add to this
April 3, 2014
I was really pleased to win this book from a goodreads first reads draw to give myself the opportunity to review a book with one of my children.
I decided to read it to my ten year old boy over a few evenings while he was playing minecraft and it went down a treat. The book is set at a great pace, jumping into action and maintaining it throughout, the characters were likable and the story had a few laugh out loud moments. The only think we weren't that keen on was some of the names of the minor characters - which is such a small thing.
All in all an entertaining story with a happy ending.
Me and my boy rate this book as 4 stars out of 5 and shall defiantly recommend to others.
I decided to read it to my ten year old boy over a few evenings while he was playing minecraft and it went down a treat. The book is set at a great pace, jumping into action and maintaining it throughout, the characters were likable and the story had a few laugh out loud moments. The only think we weren't that keen on was some of the names of the minor characters - which is such a small thing.
All in all an entertaining story with a happy ending.
Me and my boy rate this book as 4 stars out of 5 and shall defiantly recommend to others.
April 10, 2014
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. I'm not in the target age group, but I'm an ex-primary school teacher and still enjoy reading children's books. I must admit that I struggled with the first couple of chapters, maybe because I don't like made up names such as Fickletrout and Crimplemop. (Somehow they interrupt the flow when I'm reading.) However, I'm so glad that I persevered as it was a fun story which had me laughing out loud in places. There are some great characters. I particularly loved Bruno and his mum.
April 5, 2014
Thank you Rosen Trevithick for sending me a copy of The Troll Trap.
I really enjoyed this book! Whilst the suggested age-range is 8-10, I would personally say it's accessible to a broader age range, perhaps even up to 14, given the "rude" humour!
I really liked the underlying themes of acceptance, friendship, and understanding.
I'd recommend this book, like I said, to anyone between the ages of 8-14, and also to parents to read aloud with their children.
I really enjoyed this book! Whilst the suggested age-range is 8-10, I would personally say it's accessible to a broader age range, perhaps even up to 14, given the "rude" humour!
I really liked the underlying themes of acceptance, friendship, and understanding.
I'd recommend this book, like I said, to anyone between the ages of 8-14, and also to parents to read aloud with their children.
April 28, 2014
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book via the GoodReads Giveaway and have to say i was pleasantly surprised! its a good fun book for children of all ages - including big kids like myself! - and was really well written and i can already picture the tv cartoon series! I know i'd tune in for more adventures!!
April 6, 2014
My daughter read this and she couldn't put it down so it must have been amazing! She now wants other books by the same author which I will obviously supply! Any book that encourages my children to read it a great one <3
May 4, 2013
i love this book! i retold the story to my nephew in our own dialect and stretched it out for a couple of nights. he loved it too and said that it was one of the best bedtime stories he heard!
June 22, 2014
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
First of all this book was obviously not aimed at me (I am 34, single and I have no children) but I did enjoy reading it and it opened my eyes as to what could be done if I did decide to write a book aimed at 8-10 year olds.
I was pleasantly surprised by the variance and use of language in the book which I think would help to expand a child's vocabulary and help them to love the English language as I do. The author also used a lot of clever social satire which younger readers might not appreciate but a parent reading this to a child could pick up on and enjoy.
The plot had a lot of good ideas in it and well rounded characters who the reader could identify with in some way. The humour was pitched just right for the age group it is aimed at too.
I really would recommend this book to any parent who wants to get their child interested in reading (and also to any budding author who wants to see what can be done in writing a book aimed at 8-10 year olds).
I enjoyed reading this book nearly as much as any other book I have read in the last year. My only regret was it was not released in about 1988!
First of all this book was obviously not aimed at me (I am 34, single and I have no children) but I did enjoy reading it and it opened my eyes as to what could be done if I did decide to write a book aimed at 8-10 year olds.
I was pleasantly surprised by the variance and use of language in the book which I think would help to expand a child's vocabulary and help them to love the English language as I do. The author also used a lot of clever social satire which younger readers might not appreciate but a parent reading this to a child could pick up on and enjoy.
The plot had a lot of good ideas in it and well rounded characters who the reader could identify with in some way. The humour was pitched just right for the age group it is aimed at too.
I really would recommend this book to any parent who wants to get their child interested in reading (and also to any budding author who wants to see what can be done in writing a book aimed at 8-10 year olds).
I enjoyed reading this book nearly as much as any other book I have read in the last year. My only regret was it was not released in about 1988!
April 4, 2015
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads and started reading it to my son. It has taken a little while, because he started wanting to read it himself and being dyspraxic and dyslexic it was quite a struggle. However, he found the font quite easy to read and after several breaks he finished it this evening. The storyline is very easy to follow and my son was able to remember what had happened even after quite a long break.
It's a really good book and sends out an important message that even though there are really evil trolls in the world, occasionally you find a nice troll that can be your friend.
It's a really good book and sends out an important message that even though there are really evil trolls in the world, occasionally you find a nice troll that can be your friend.
January 12, 2016
I do like this author's style of writing and sense of humour, which is certainly brought alive in this delightful children's book...although all ages would enjoy the fun of it.
No spoilers, but I will say that there are wonderful characters set within a meaningful plot.
Worth a look.
No spoilers, but I will say that there are wonderful characters set within a meaningful plot.
Worth a look.
May 27, 2013
Layers of humour, fantasy, fable, wonderful prose and life lessons with sprinklings of snot and poo. This is a story you'll love to share with the young people in your life.
September 19, 2013
I struggled with my rating on this book, the whole idea of the trolls on benefits really ruined it for me. I don't think it's one I'll read to my child.
June 6, 2014
This is a rather fun and fabulous book. I have been reading it with my niece.
Great to read to her and good for her to read by herself. She keeps looking to see if anyone is really a troll !
Great to read to her and good for her to read by herself. She keeps looking to see if anyone is really a troll !
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews