Jethro and Joel were a troll

Bill Peet

Book - 1987

Jethro and Joel, a two-headed troll, goes on a rampage through the countryside.

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jE/Peet
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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
Boston : Houghton Mifflin c1987.
Language
English
Main Author
Bill Peet (-)
Physical Description
32 p. : ill
ISBN
9780812484410
9780833549181
9780395430811
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Almost 40 inventions of inspired nonsense have made Peet a favorite among both kids and parents. Everyone will appreciate the droll pictures in the author's new lark, starring a giant with two heads. The peaceful head, Jethro, argues in vain against the other, Joel, who wants to activate the ``troll'' aspect of their personalities. Galloping away from their forest home, the monster grabs an entire army of knights that mean Joel is about to drown in a castle moat, when Jethro declares enough is enough: ``You've had your day!'' The unpredictable outcome rounds out the fun and embodies a kernel of good sense, showing the advantages when wiser heads prevail. Ages 4-8. (March) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2 This two-headed giant troll has a duel-headed personality. Kind Jethro allows mischievous Joel to control them in a one-day rampage through the countryside. The troll's antics include smashing pumpkins and damaging a castle. When Joel begins acting mean, level-headed Jethro takes charge and together they repair the castle and build more castles for the townspeople. Peet's familiar crayon illustrations, outlined and highlighted with an energetic black line, give a solid presence to the troll and capture the movement of the farmers' flight. Scowling Joel and the appalled Jethro are characterized equally well in the illustrations and text. The humorous text flows smoothly with well-chosen adjectives. This comfortable, non-threatening monster tale will delight children. The ending adage, ``Every man's home is his castle,'' may make adults groan, but this story is fun, a good read-aloud, and could also assist in a discussion about choices we all have to make. Kathleen Klenda Kaiser, Coronado Public Library, Calif. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

The two heads of a troll have different names, different personalities and different views on how to lead their life. Joel wants to frighten people and destroy property; Jethro prefers tending the turnip patch and treating people nicely. After Joel spear-heads a rampage that destroys a castle, the troll is required to rebuild it. For this task, it turns out that two heads are better than one; both heads find construction satisfying, and the troll establishes a career as a castle builder. The Jekyll/Hyde struggle between good and bad is a classic theme. Unfortunately, Peet hasn't developed it beyond the mediocre. The story is strained and disjointed, and the use of the plural to refer to the troll just sounds awkward, and is distracting. The pictures are garish and the colors abrasive. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.