Cliff the Failed Troll

This sweet and funny story is about feeling different and embracing who we are.

A fun and original story by Barbara Davis-Pyles, author of Grizzly Boy and Stubby the Fearless Squid, about a troll named Cliff who isn't very good at sitting still or being a "proper" troll. He'd much rather be a pirate anyway!

"Ahoy!" he shouts upon meeting other trolls, who then remind him that the proper troll hello is "Go away!" After a report card full of Fs in bridge building, stoney staring, and even goat gobbling (he's a vegetarian!), Cliff sets off for pirate school.

But are things different for him there? Aye, that they arrrre!

This humorous story is about appreciating who we are and knowing there is a place where we fit in the world.

BARBARA DAVIS-PYLES, author of Grizzly Boy and Stubby the Fearless Squid, has written hundreds of fiction and nonfiction pieces for the children's education market. In addition to her curriculum-based work, she helped create A Day in the Meadow (with composer Frederick Frahm), a pipe organ demonstrator for children (Wayne Leupold Editions, 2006). When Barbara's not writing, she can be found hiking, biking, or packing for a road trip. She lives in the northwest corner of Washington State with her family. Find out more at BarbaraDavisPyles.com.

JUSTIN HILLGROVE is a Pacific Northwest artist who loves painting monsters, robots, and other such nonsense, and has worked on everything from comics and toys to tabletop games. Justin lives in Snohomish, Washington with his wife, four kids, some chickens and ducks, a rabbit, and a dozen or so imaginary friends. Learn more about Justin at ImpsandMonsters.com