Honestly, if you've ever been trapped on a six-hour flight with a three-year-old who thinks "kicking the seat" is an Olympic sport, you know the value of a good distraction. Not just a screen. I'm talking about something tactile. Something they can drop without it shattering into a thousand expensive pieces. That brings us to Trolls My Busy Book. It's one of those Phidal Publishing staples that seems to exist in every daycare and dentist's waiting room across the country, and for good reason. It works.
It isn't just a book. That's the first thing people get wrong. You aren't buying it for the prose. The "story" is basically a glorified introduction to the characters we already know from the DreamWorks movies—Poppy, Branch, and the rest of the Snack Pack. But the magic is in the back of the book. There's a literal plastic container built into the spine that holds a playmat and a dozen tiny figurines. It’s a complete "boredom survival kit" in a sturdy, board-book format.
What’s Actually Inside Trolls My Busy Book?
Let's get into the nitty-gritty because parents always ask if the figures are any good. The set usually includes twelve figures. You're getting the heavy hitters like Poppy and Branch, but you also get some of the weirder, more colorful side characters that make the Trolls universe what it is. These aren't high-end collectibles. They’re molded plastic.
They’re small.
If your kid is still in that phase where everything goes directly into their mouth, you might want to wait. The manufacturer usually lists these for ages three and up, and that’s a hard rule because those tiny Troll ears and hair tufts are prime choking hazards.
The playmat is made of that thick, coated paper. It’s durable enough to survive a few spills if you wipe them up fast, but it’s not indestructible. If a toddler decides it’s a piece of giant confetti, it’s game over. However, the sheer portability of the whole thing is why it’s a winner. Everything tucks back into the book. You snap the plastic door shut, slide it into a diaper bag, and you’re good to go.
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Why It Beats a Tablet
Screen time has its place, but there's a specific kind of "Trolls My Busy Book" magic that happens when a kid is forced to use their imagination. I've watched kids play with these for forty-five minutes straight. They make up weird little voices for Branch. They have the Trolls go on "missions" across the playmat.
It’s tactile.
The figures have a certain weight to them. They’re bumpy. They’re colorful. In a world of flat glass screens, kids actually crave things they can hold. Plus, if you’re at a restaurant, you don't have to worry about the volume being too loud or the battery dying right when the appetizers arrive.
The Quality Control Reality Check
Look, we have to be real here. These books are mass-produced. Occasionally, you’ll get a Poppy figure where the eyes are painted slightly off-center, making her look like she’s seen things no Troll should ever see. It happens. Phidal Publishing focuses on volume and affordability.
The "book" part of Trolls My Busy Book is quite short. If you’re looking for a deep narrative journey or something to improve your child’s reading level significantly, this isn't the one. It’s a script for play. The sentences are simple: "Poppy loves to sing!" or "Branch is very careful." It’s designed to prompt the child to take the figure and act out the scene.
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Comparisons to Other "Busy Books"
Phidal does this for every major franchise—Paw Patrol, Disney Princesses, Marvel. The Trolls version stands out because the character designs are naturally more "toy-like." A Spider-Man figure that’s two inches tall often looks like a red blob. But a Troll? The big hair and bright colors translate perfectly to small-scale plastic.
- Check the seal: Sometimes the plastic "garage" for the toys gets cracked in shipping.
- The playmat crease: It comes folded. Over time, those folds can tear. A little clear packing tape on the back of the creases when you first get it can double the lifespan of the mat.
- Losing the "Big Three": Kids always lose the main characters first. I don't know why. It’s a scientific mystery.
Where to Find the Best Deals
You’ll see these at Costco, Target, and Amazon. Prices fluctuate wildly. I’ve seen them as low as $8 and as high as $15. If you're paying more than $12, you're probably getting ripped off unless it’s a special edition.
The Trolls franchise has a few different "Busy Book" iterations now, thanks to the sequels like Trolls World Tour and Trolls Band Together. If your kid is obsessed with a specific movie, make sure you check the cover. The original book focuses on the first movie’s vibe—lots of pinks and basic village life. The World Tour versions include the rock, techno, and country trolls, which honestly adds a lot more variety to the toy set.
Common Misconceptions About These Sets
People think the figures are "squishy" because they’re Trolls. They aren't. They are hard, solid plastic. No real "hair" to brush. That’s actually a pro in my book because real Troll hair becomes a matted, sticky mess within forty-eight hours of contact with a toddler. These stay clean.
Another thing? The "Busy Book" isn't a "Quiet Book." In the parenting world, "Quiet Books" are usually those felt/fabric books with zippers and buttons. This is a "Busy Book"—it keeps them busy, but it might involve some "Can't Stop the Feeling" singing at the top of their lungs.
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Safety and Durability Over Time
After about six months of heavy use, the book spine usually starts to show some wear. The plastic tub that holds the toys is glued to the back cardboard. If your child is "enthusiastic" (code for destructive), they might rip the whole toy container off the book.
It's not the end of the world.
The toys still work. The mat still works. You just lose the "all-in-one" storage aspect. I usually tell parents to treat the book as a "special occasion" toy. Only bring it out for car rides, doctor appointments, or flights. If it’s in the toy box every day, the figures will end up in the vacuum cleaner or the bottom of the toy chest by Tuesday.
Actionable Tips for Parents
If you're planning to buy Trolls My Busy Book, do these three things to get your money's worth:
- The Ziploc Hack: The plastic door on the book can be tricky for tiny fingers to snap shut. Once it fails, just put the figures and the folded mat into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and tuck it inside the book. It saves you from hunting for a tiny Guy Diamond under the couch.
- Bathtub Play: Since the figures are solid plastic with no holes, they actually make great bath toys. Unlike rubber ducks, they won't trap water inside and grow weird mold. Just make sure you don't take the paper mat into the tub.
- Mix and Match: If you have other Busy Books, the figures are all roughly the same scale. There is something hilarious and creative about seeing Poppy have a tea party with a T-Rex or a PAW Patrol pup.
This book is a tool. It's an affordable, low-tech solution to the "I'm bored" problem. It won't win a Pulitzer, and the figures won't be worth thousands on eBay in twenty years. But for a parent trying to finish a cup of coffee while it's still hot? It's worth its weight in gold.
Grab a copy before your next long trip. Check the "Band Together" version if your kid likes the newer characters, but honestly, the classic set is a safe bet for any fan. Just keep an eye on where those small figures end up—walking on a plastic Troll hair tuft in the middle of the night is a pain second only to the dreaded LEGO.
To maximize the life of the set, store the figures in a dedicated small bin if the book's plastic housing breaks, and always reinforce the playmat seams with tape on day one. You'll thank yourself later when the mat is still in one piece after the tenth "Troll Village" earthquake.