Books by Polly Horvath

The Trolls & Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath (Author of The Vacation)

The Trolls is about 3 children being left with their Aunt Sally when the babysitter their parents arranged to take care of them while they go to paris for a week cancels. Melissa, Amanda, and Pee Wee have never met their Aunt Sally, travels from Canada to their Ohio home to take care of them. Aunt Sally is full of interesting stories about her and their father growing up on Vancouver Island, including the story of the trolls.

The book jacket touts the troll story as a story that "changed Aunt Sally's family forever," and will "affect the lives of the three present-day listeners in a different, but no less significant, way."

Yeah, I don't know. While this book is full of the quirky characters that I enjoy in Polly Horvath's books, it just doesn't fall together for me. Does that make sense? I don't really know how to explain it. Thumbs SIDEWAYS.

Everything on a Waffle was much more entertaining. The story of Primrose Squarp (I don't know whats up with the name, but poor tormented kid) whose believes her parents didn't die at sea, contrary to what everyone else believes- her babysitter, the school guidance counselor, the kids in her class, and everyone else in town. When the town council determines they can no longer pay Miss Perfidy, the babysitter, her hourly wage, they try to locate a family member. Uncle Jack is found, and he reluctantly comes to Coal Harbour to be her guardian. Primrose finds a true friend and an escape at a local restaurant, The Girl on the Red Swing, where everything is served with a waffle. The school guidance counselor, Miss Honeycut, takes a liking to Uncle Jack and thinks it is unfortuante this handsome bachelor is forced into parenthood, and seems bent on finding a reason to get rid of Primrose. Unfortunately for Primrose, several accidents involving lost digits find her cast into foster care. Through it all Primrose is certain her parents are alive, but does anyone else believe her?

Thumbs UP- lovely, quirky characters, unexpected happenings, and a happy ending.