Meet Anita Penn
Storyteller, troll-whisperer, and keeper of the lantern
Hello from Anita
Hej, friend! (That's 'hi' in Norwegian!) I'm Anita Penn, and I write stories about the Tollefsen Trolls, a cozy, slightly messy, very loving family who live in a cave in the mountains of Trollheimen. I'm a quarter Norwegian, and every bit of that quarter goes into these books.
How Trollheimen Began
My grandpa Bjorn was born in Harstad, Norway, and the stories came with him. When I was a little girl, my mom told me about the trolls who lived in Norway's mountains. Not scary trolls, but funny, mysterious, wonderful ones that made the world feel a little more magical. She told me those stories all the time, and they became something special that belonged to just the two of us.
The Tollefsen Trolls are my way of honoring her, my grandpa, and the Norwegian heritage they passed down to me. Every book carries a piece of the bond my mom and I shared. So when your family opens one of these books together, I hope you feel what I felt: the magic of a story told by someone who loves you.
And if you've met Bjorn the cat, now you know where his name came from.
For my mom, who gave me the trolls.
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Questions Kids Ask Anita
Are trolls real?
In Norway, people have told troll stories for hundreds of years. Some say if you see a strange rock shaped like a nose, it might be a troll who stayed out past sunrise! What do you think?
Where do you get your ideas?
From everywhere! Family dinners, holidays, funny things kids say, and old Norwegian legends.
Is Anita really Norwegian?
Yes! Anita's grandpa was born in Norway, and her mom told her troll stories when she was a little girl. Now she shares those stories with you!
Is Bjorn the cat named after someone real?
Yes! Bjorn is named after Anita's grandpa Bjorn, who was born in Norway. Now he gets to be part of every Tollefsen Trolls adventure.
Which book should I read first?
Start with Goodnight Troll to meet the whole family. Then pick whichever holiday is coming up next!
For Event Hosts & Press
Anita Penn is the author of The Tollefsen Trolls, a picture book series for children ages newborn to 10, illustrated by Chuck Coupland. Set in the magical Norwegian land of Trollheimen, her stories include Goodnight Troll, Happy Halloween Troll, Merry Christmas Troll, and Till Death Do Us Part. She lives in Texas, where she shares her stories at bookstores, schools, and author events.
Chuck Coupland is the whimsical illustrator behind the enchanting world of Trollheimen. His delicate, hand-drawn style brings the magic of Norwegian folklore to life, capturing the cozy warmth of the Tollefsen Trolls' home in the mountains. Every line and soft texture in his art celebrates the timeless charm of a classic storybook, making the magic of the fjords and the glow of the lantern feel like a gentle, magical dream.
The Heart of Trollheimen
Chuck Coupland
Thank you for visiting Trollheimen! Goodnight, sleep tight, and don't let the Kraken bite.