Lola and the Troll

Lola is a young girl who loves school but hates walking to school because she must pass a young boy who dresses like a troll and hurls hurtful insults at everyone who passes. Lola tries to be brave but eventually starts changing herself in response to the insults: she wears her curly hair differently, stops smiling because of her missing front teeth, and worst of all, begins whispering because the troll said she was too loud.

Eventually, Lola’s teacher notices the changes and tells Lola the bully must be very afraid of Lola if the only way he can feel good about himself is by making Lola feel bad about her wonderful traits. With her confidence back, Lola confronts the Troll, who ends up being a new boy happy to make a friend.

Lola and the Troll sends an incredibly important message in this beautifully told and illustrated story. No child should ever feel they need to change themselves or lose their voice in response to a bully. And maybe, just maybe, the bully needs some understanding as well.