John Bauer and the trolls

It is interesting to learn how these whimsical creatures originated from Scandinavian folklores have made their way to the doll collectors' shelves in fads starting in the 60s. They are believed to bring good luck and nowadays are made into super-cute figures appealing to both kids and adults. The common feature that helps you to distinguish them is certainly the large pointy ears and nose (yes, some of them did practice witchcraft in tales).

John Bauer is certainly one the artists responsible for most people's view about trolls today.

This illustration so reminds me of the fairtales I read in childhood (he probably did set a standard for expectation of fairytale illustrations). The hairy giants in the background look curious and stunned by the glowing calm of the slender princess. Well they don't look very intellect, but not much wickedness either. As other 'homemade' trolls by John Bauer, they don't look pretty but they are somehow lovable.

According to wikipedia:
Residents of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, known as Yoopers, refer to their lower-peninsula counterparts as "trolls", because they live "Under the Bridge"...