By Jim Woodring and Bill Frisell (Fantagraphics)
Review by Dan Eldridge
Resonance, 07/01/02
Terrifying visuals, senseless violence and a Brian Eno-on-Demerol soundtrack--this is a children's book? In a word: I don't know. OK, three words. Which, by the way, are three more than you'll find between the covers of Trosper, the latest picture-book offering from outre cartoonist (and psychological miscreant) Jim Woodring, best known for his long-running comic series Frank. Designed to look like a Little Golden Book and accompanied by a deliciously creepy CD from composer Bill Frisell, Trosper is the story of an innocent baby elephant-sort-of-creature who suffers a nightmare-ridden anxiety attack after his guardian is mauled by a ghost. Unlike your typical kiddie-lit, Trosper feels more like a Rorschach test than a feel-good bedtime book. So what in God's name were the good folks at Fantagraphics thinking? According to publicist Eric Reynolds, "Kids don't get enough credit for what they can handle." Maybe so, but here's one ex-kid who's glad that Mom stopped at The Berenstain Bears.
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