The Troll by Julia Donaldson and David Roberts (Macmillan Children's Books)

Whenever myself, CanIWalkMummy and Charlotte are out and about covering great countryside walks for CIWM's blog, we find it absolutely impossible to cross any sort of bridge without shouting "WHO'S THAT TRIP-TRAPPING OVER MY BRIDGE!"

So of course it's a delight to find a book that tells a story from the Troll's perspective. Troubled by pesky goats? Annoyed by tricky creatures spinning you yarns to keep you from stuffing your belly full of delicious goaty treats? No wonder Trolls are so grumpy.

The troll in Julia (The Gruffallo) Donaldson's book is a grumpy little fellow - with good reason, he lives solely on a diet of fish and every time he thinks he's in line for something better, he's foiled at every turn.

In the story his path crosses with a bunch of mean pirates who are similarly diet-challenged. They are the roughest toughest bunch of seafaring ne'er do-wells but not one of them can cook.

It's rather delicious the way the two story paths track along a parallel until near the end of the book when - well you'll see what happens if you read it - Suffice to say that though Julia Donaldson's other books seem to get more recognition, The Troll is a delight and David Roberts' quirky drawings are full of character and fun. Recommended.

Charlotte's best bit: What the Troll does with treasure.

Daddy's favourite bit: Random donkey thrown in for good measure!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.