Muncle Trogg is the smallest giant in the world. He's fed up of being upside-downed by his bigger, but younger, brother, Gritt. At school, he always falls foul of the other pupils. The teachers don't treat him too much better. He simply doesn't fit in at all. With his school-leaving exams coming up, Muncle doesn't know what he's going to do with himself. However, Sir Biblos, the King's wise man, sees a spark in Muncle, and Muncle embarks on adventures that dabble in the edges of the Smalling world.
| Muncle Trogg by Janet Foxley | |
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| Category: Confident Readers | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: Muncle Trogg, world's smallest giant, finds his true calling, in this fun, light-hearted and energetic read for confident readers. Ideal for both reading alone or together. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 208 | Date: February 2011 |
| Publisher: Chicken House | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1906427030 | |
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Muncle Trogg is a light-hearted and fun read. The outsider view at the human/Smalling world is gently revealed, allowing the young readers the chance to feel good about twigging what's going on, before it's made obvious. Muncle is an accessible character, and any child who's felt the world is too big for them will happily put themselves in his place. He's insecure and nervous, but when he finds his place in the world, you know he'll be fine. The story is laced with plenty of humour and grossness. It's smartly paced, appealing both to children being read chapter-a-night books, or those who are reading for themselves under the bed covers.
Janet Foxley's writing is great for young readers. The focus is on fun, rather than high art - as it should be. There are touches of the irreverence of Roald Dahl, although perhaps not with its timelessness. Children will happily go from the first book to the sequel, Muncle Trogg and the Flying Donkey, and thoroughly enjoy every moment of them. Despite Muncle Trogg winning the Times Children's Fiction Competition, I'm not sure how many times readers will revisit them. There's nothing to fault in either book, but the adventure is strongest the first time round.
Muncle Trogg is definitely worth picking up, for confident readers of all genders and abilities. It has broad and deserved appeal, with plenty to admire. The design is particularly engaging, with plenty of splats, fingerprints and other grubbiness, to amuse young readers. Warmly recommended.
For more giant-based fun, check out A Giant Problem (Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles) by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi and The Giant Book of Giants by Saviour Pirotta and Mark Robertson.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Muncle Trogg by Janet Foxley at Amazon.com.
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