This blog is founded on the principle that travel is an excellent way to introduce kids to different cultures. Travel presents many opportunities for learning, education and building empathy. Each culture has their own stories handed down over the generations. One way to get your kids excited for their travels is to introduce them to some of these stories. For example if you are traveling to Scandinavia, read books about Scandinavian trolls to your kids!
I had the great opportunity to be an expat growing up. Our family spent nine years in Norway. It was an awesome experience and certainly shaped the person that I am today. So, of course I am still enthralled with Scandinavian troll stories. Some of my favorite stories are about Norwegian trolls. Reading about troll mythology in the landscape where these stories originated truly made the stories come to life.
It is so fun that that my mother has a new contribution to the wonderful collection of books on Scandinavian trolls. You can now find her very fun children’s book called “Farting Four Toed Troll” on Amazon. Traveling to Norway? Then read Norwegian troll stories. And, be sure to include hers on your reading list. Keep reading to learn more about her inspiration for this fun new book.
Kids’ Travels to Meet Trolls: The Inspiration for “Farting Four-Toed Troll”
By Lavelle Carlson
Is it possible to take your children or grandchildren on world travels like Norway to learn traditions of troll mythology through troll stories? Unfortunately, it is quite expensive as well as time consuming to travel to Scandinavia. An extended period would best allow them to learn the culture and traditions. A book can often be a good substitute or complement to learning through travel.
A few families are lucky to live in Norway for work reasons. That was the case with our family. Our family enjoyed nine years of living in Norway. That is certainly a long period of their childhood to experience the Norwegian kindness and compassion. This also gave them ample time to experience and learn about the mythology of the Scandinavian trolls.
What are Scandinavian Trolls?
During their early years my children heard the stories of the various types of trolls – “the good, the bad, and the ugly”. In Scandinavia they would be called trolls, nisse, tomte and gnomes. In our family, the mean trolls were the worst as they were presented to the youngest sister by the older sister. “Are there really trolls under the stairwell?” cried the little sister as the mom tried to get her to sleep.
For those who do not have the opportunity to visit and learn the culture and troll mythology of the Scandinavian countries, books are the next best way to learn.
Scandinavian Troll Stories
Three Billy Goats Gruff
Many stories have been written over the centuries. Trolls have changed, as stories have been re-written. Often the trolls are big and ugly, maybe even with warts or tails. Some live underground. One troll story that has been told often is the story, “Three Billy Goats Gruff”. Often, the trolls will represent behavioral characteristics, often not so nice characteristics.
Musical by Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg, Norwegian musician, wrote a musical in which the main character, Peer Gynt (who had been a naughty boy) went on adventures since he was not allowed to marry his love Solveig. His adventures turned a bit nasty when he ended up in the Hall of the Mountain King. Rather than marry the king’s daughter who was not as pretty as Solveig he tried to escape all the trolls and gnomes during the night.
Jule Nisse
One type of troll, “nisse” is often much shorter. The best characteristic of the “nisse” is that he is kind and loves animals. At Christmas he is referred to as the “Jule nisse” (Jule is the Norwegian word for Christmas). His kindness and love for the animals takes him to the barns at Christmas (Jule) to feed the animals.
Scandinavian Troll Mythology
Some of the most interesting troll stories have come from the book, “A Time for Trolls”, Fairy Tales from Norway told by Asbjørnsen and Moe (may no longer be in print, first published in 1962 and the last in 1977). There have been other interesting takes on the various trolls. Trolls and their Relatives, by Dreyer Bok, Stavanger Norway, 1981) gives an interesting and humorous take on one troll, Old Erik, who dresses up as an official, tax collector.
Farting Four-Toed Troll
Then, there is the recent children’s storybook written for young children to talk about kindness and appropriate name-calling, The Farting Four-Toed Troll. No matter which trolls children hear about in storybooks, they are sure to learn a lot about human nature.
