The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk by Anne Booth

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk by Anne Booth

By Anne Booth (author) , David Litchfield (illustrator)

"Kindness, creativity and the healing power of art are at the heart of this beautiful picture book that sees a little boy coax a troll from his cave."

Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19

Hardback In Stock £12.99 £11.69

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The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk sees Anne Booth’s stirring story of empathy, imagination and new-found friendship elegantly augmented by David Litchfield's illustrations — his use of scale, perspective and colour packs poignant punch.

Everyone knew of the “big fierce troll” who lived in a dark cave and growled to be left alone, which is exactly what everyone did, until one little boy draws a flower at the mouth of the cave, leaving a single petal to be completed, along with a single piece of chalk.

The next day, the boy sees his drawing has been finished, and so begins a back-and-forth relationship between the boy, the troll and pieces of chalk until the boy realises, “You’re a boy — just like me”. And soon a wonderful world of colour, light and love is created through the power of kindness and collaborative art.

Taking its cue from art therapy, The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk is a beautiful book that will surely inspire many a little one to find themselves — and, quite possibly, new friends — through the magic of making art together.

Everybody knew that a big fierce troll lived in the cave. "Leave me alone!" it yelled. So everybody did.

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Only one child cannot turn their back on the troll at the edge of the playground. One day, he takes his chalks up to the mouth of the cave. He draws a flower with every petal coloured in but one, and leaves the chalk behind.

The next day, the flower has been completed. Day-by-day, the boy and the troll finish each other's drawings, until they each draw a portrait, showing a boy holding hands with a fierce, scary troll. "But you're not a troll," says the boy. "You're a boy - just like me."

Patience, kindness and the power of art win out in the end: the two boys wordlessly draw together. Soon all the other children gather to join in with the game. Everyone forgets that there was a troll inside the cave. Because outside the cave, there is so much to draw.

This touching story shows the power of kindness, art and imagination, in the face of isolation and difficult emotions, and delicately embodies the philosophy of art therapy.

From the creative duo behind A Shelter for Sadness , award-winning artist David Litchfield's illustrations bring life and colour to this gentle tale of hope and friendship by Anne Booth. The beautiful, textured illustrations are also a joyful celebration of pavement art that is sure to have little ones reaching for their own chalks.

Anne Booth writes highly acclaimed children's fiction and picture books and is known for the exceptional warmth and authenticity of her writing. Her picture books include Refuge , illustrated by Sam Usher, and Little Cloud , illustrated by Sarah Massini.

Anne lives in Kent and has always wanted to bea children’s writer, but on the way to becoming one has worked in many jobs. Anne lives in a lovely village with her husband and four children– and the children's grandfather across the road. They have two hens called Poppy and Anastasia and two dogs called Timmy and Ben. Anne loves tea and once won a Blue Peter badge for writing a poem about two mice in a bucket of rice. Despite this, she does not own any mice. Anne’s debut novel Girl with a White Dog was shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize.

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A sweet story which shows the power of kindness and imagination in the face of difficult emotions with beautiful illustrations from award-winning artist David Litchfield, which really help to tell the story.

One boy cannot turn his back on the 'troll' as all the other children play in the playground. One day the boy takes his chalks to the cave and draws a flower with a missing petal. On his return the next day the petal has been drawn and the flower is complete. Day after day the boy returns to the cave and the troll finishes the boys drawings. Then one day they each draw a portrait, showing a boy holding hands with a scary troll. "But you're not a troll," says the boy. "You're a boy - just like me."

The boys draw together and soon all the other children join in too. Everyone forgets there was a troll in the cave and join in the fun together.... Read Full Review

Holy Apostles' Primary Library

Everybody knew that a big fierce troll lived in the cave. "Leave me alone!" it yelled.

The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk and determined it is suitable for children aged 3-6 years old

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk features in the following genres: Art and Design, Educational: Arts, general, Educational material, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 5+ readers, Recommendations, Featured Books for 3+ readers

Paperback, Hardback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk was written by Anne Booth and published by Templar Books an imprint of Bonnier Books UK

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk has 40 pages

£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.

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