Three Billy Goats Gruff (Book)

Finch, M. (2001). Three billy goats gruff. New York, NY: Barefoot Books. ISBN:  978-1-846-86072-0

Interest Level: Ages 5 & under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Goats, Trolls, Fairy Tales, Folklore

Plot: A retelling of the classic tale of three billy goats gruff.  In which three goats cross a bridge to get to the greener sweeter looking grass on the other side.  Unfortunately under the bridge they must cross to get there lives a hungry troll.  The two littler goats tell the troll to wait to meet their bigger bother.  When the biggest of the billy goats gruff crosses the bridge he kicks the troll off the bridge rather then gets eaten.

Personal Thoughts: The mixed used of collage, watercolors, and crayon make for wonderfully textured illustrations.  Bright and happy colors and patterns are used for the goats and the scenery, while browns and olive greens make up the troll.

"I'm a troll, from a deep dark hole,
My belly's getting thinner,
I need to eat - and goat's a treat -
So I'll have you for my dinner."

The text is simple and easy to read aloud.  The troll's repeating lines don't quiet rhyme but children will enjoy joining in all the same.  My suggestion would be to add some hand gestures for the children to copy while your telling the story. 

Other Books by the Author: The Little Red Hen and the Ear of Wheat (2001);