Trupp: A Fuzzhead Tale

by Janell Cannon

Trupp, a young Fuzzhead, decides to venture into the world. With a cheeky raven for a companion, Trupp rambles through the city, going virtually unnoticed by humans-that is, until they are confronted by a homeless woman who sees Trupp for who he really is. Before Trupp can decide whether to stay or run away, this unusual woman realizes that he could use a little help. “Fans of Stellaluna, Cannon’s exceptional debut book, will approach her second with high expectations--and those will be met.”-- Publishers Weekly

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Animals

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jessica Cram]

This was a cute story about not judging what/who you don't know. Trupp wants to venture out and see the world of humans, but the elders all warn against it. He sets out anyway and finds some unlikely friends. After days of adventure, he was ready to head home. The homeless woman Trupp is, at first, fearful of turns out to be his greatest ally. Just goes to show the reader that we just never know until we give others a chance.

[Jenny Clark]

This was not the strongest of Cannon's works as it ended rather abruptly, but it has the same vibrant illustrations as her other works, and even has a "non fiction" section with information about the Fuzzheads and has a lesson of truly seeing every one.

[Laura]

Picture Book

[Carrie]

LOVE the fuzzheads, love the illustrations...not exactly sure what the story was going for...

[Carlos]

Sería una muy buena película familiar

[H.L. Gibson]

Janell Cannon provides just enough in her fuzzhead books to spark imagination.

[Christina Martin]

The story, Trupp, authored and illustrated by Janell Cannon is a beautifully written and illustrated story about finding true friendship. After I read Crickwing by Janell Cannon, I became interested in this author and illustrator. Her books seem to have underlying social issues, which is valuable to all readers.

Trupp is a fictional character that looks like a hybrid between a cat and a polar bear. This is a tale about Trupp wanting to leave home to discover the outside world and find new adventures. On the way to his new adventure, he becomes friend with a clever raven. The two of them discover the city and blend in with humans after the raven helps Trupp find a hilarious disguise. The story takes a meaningful turn when the two characters meet a homeless woman. The homeless woman teaches Trupp and the raven about friendship and companionship on a much deeper level.

This would be an excellent story for a read aloud with elementary level students. The fictional specie to which Trupp belongs is alluring and captivating. The students will surely want to know more about Trupp after seeing what he looks like. I think it would be creative to read this book as a read aloud and then have each student create their own fictional character. The teacher might help by having visual representations of various animals and have students pick two to three animals. Then, the students could hybridize those animals and create a fictional character that they can then write stories about. Also, because this book includes the universal theme of friendship, the student will surely be able to draw many personal connections to this story. The teacher could start many meaningful discussions about friendship crossing many sorts of barriers, and not judging others by the way they appear. For example, Trupp found a most valuable friendship with a homeless woman because he chose not to place judgment on her.

[Aimee]

This book, by the author of 'Stellaluna', begins with a scientific explanation of an animal called a Fuzzhead, a 6 foot cat like creature that is very rare. I was excited about making the character of Trupp, a Fuzzhead who wants to see what else there is in the world, as real as possible. Sadly, this book is not one of Cannon's best. The characters aren't as appealing as some of her others, and it stops really abruptly. I thought maybe a page had been taken out of the book, but that is really how the book ends. My one compliment on this book is that Trupp meets a homeless woman who helps him, showing students the value of looking at everyone as important.

[Amanda Andrews]

I thought this was a very strange book. It is about Trupp, a "fuzzhead"- a type of cat-like animal described in the beginning. Trupp decides he want to go where the people are and dresses like a human. He appears to be in NYC and no one realizes that he is not a human, except for a homeless woman. She however ends up helping him, so her role is kind of reversed.

[Anthony]

Trupp is a fuzzhead who decides to leave his clan, and seek adventure among the humans. His travels take him into the country, where he meets a raven, who becomes his travel companion. Trupp, and Krok the raven, ride the rails in a boxcar into the city where they meet a homeless person named Bernice who helps them, and shares a meal with them. Friendships are made.

[pearl]

What always got to me was the conversation between Trupp and Bernice, when Trupp says his clothes are a disguise so people will not notice him and Bernice replies that her own are so that people will, hopefully, notice her.

[Librarian]

I loved this book and its illustration! Though some have not warmed to it, I can't wait to locate a copy of her other Fuzzhead Tale. It could have been more fully developed however (the end did seem a bit abrupt).

[S]

I'm slightly disturbed by the fuzzheads. 200lbs cat creatures that are bipedal and can talk? Nope.

Trupp is a fuzzhead who'd like to explore beyond his family home. He steals a scarecrow's clothing and meets up with a nice homeless lady.

Fuzzheads, though. Creepy.

[Rose]

JP Can

[Jessica]

I liked the illustrations. They were cute, and the story was cute too, if a little odd.

[Grace Potter]

My fourth grade teacher read this book to my class :)

[Xan]

Beautiful colour pictures alternate with spare, simple black and white drawings and text. A lovely little story about self discovery and helping others.

[Bree]

Notes::
cat-like creatures are really weird looking
homeless lady and scary crazy old man need explaining
story is bizarre and ends so strangely with no resolution

[Andrew]

Man, just an amazing book. Big ups to Ms. Cannon for bringing something so fresh to children's literature. Can't wait to read it all!