Nicolas van Pallandt’s book, first published in the Netherlands, is a repeat library check-out for our family. We really enjoy its collection of odd creatures, not to mention Troll’s adventure. Blown away from his snug home in the dead of winter, Troll decides that because his home is so small and winter so large, he should search for summer instead of home. Lost in a shadowy forest of yawning trees where every rock is a sleeping gargoyle, a very cold Troll looks small and forlorn. When he finds an equally cold friend, Snike, who can only be described as a mouse-like creature who happens to have a light on the tip of his mousy tail, Troll is happy to share his scarf with a friend. The two meet many odd and confused creatures before finally seeing a bit of summer’s warm light in the distance. Of course, the light turns out to be the open door of Troll’s warm home, where the friends spend the rest of winter safe and warm.
The illustrations are lovely, and the metaphor of home as the heart of summer in a dark, cold world is just philosophical enough for a young child to appreciate without confusion. I’m sad that the book is apparently out of print but very happy that our library has a copy. 
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