Skip to main content

CHARACTER COUNTS: The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Image
By


The Three Billy Goats Gruff 
By Jerry Pinkney
Little, Brown and Company, 2017. Picture Book

This is a retelling of the classic tale of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Similar to every other version, there is a green valley across a river. The three billy goats decide that they would like to cross to where the green grass is to eat. Only, the way to get to the other side is to cross a bridge where a troll lives. This troll likes to eat animals. And like every other version the littlest billy goat tricks the troll into waiting for the next billy goat. Then the middle billy goat tricks the troll into waiting for the next billy goat. And of course the last billy goat is big enough to take care of the troll.

The one thing that is different about this story (other than the brilliant illustrations that Pinkney created) is that the troll isn’t just butted away from the story—readers will see him meet a similar fate when a giant fish tries to eat him while in the river. However, with the troll’s similar near fate, the troll has a change of heart (which readers can see on the final pages and last endpapers). In the Artist’s Note Pinkney explains why he decided to make this choice to improve the troll's character. All in all this is another great addition to the classic stories retold genre. And as an added bonus Pinkney dedicates the book to all his “fellow Capricorns”, which is a nice and humorous touch. Well done, Pinkney! Well done.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Display: Flowers

By
The Language of Flowers Written by Shyala Smith Illustrated by Aaron Paul Asis United Kingdom: Lantana Publishing Ltd., 2024. Picture Book. Juhi loves helping her Appa sell flowers to the local community. In Appa's flower shop, Juhi knows the language of love--lilies for affection, irises for hugs and kisses. She knows the language of faith--frangipani for full moon days, red hibiscus for the temple. She knows the language of celebration--daffodils for the newborn, peonies for a birthday cake. But when her Appa tells her that her favorite customer has passed away, she does not know the language of grief. While Appa makes a bouquet of lilies and orchids to bring to Mr. Potter's funeral, Juhi decides to make him one final bouquet of her own. Which flowers will she choose to remember a man who was always so full of life? --Publisher The Weedflower Written by Elizabeth Davaze Illustrated by Marianne Ferrer Toronto; Berkeley, CA: Owlkids Books, 2024. Picture Book.  A modern schoolya...
Post a Comment
Read more

If You Like... Information

By Suzanne
Are you ready for a True or False question? Here it is! True or false: The word information refers to data, facts, knowledge, or messages that are communicated and understood in many ways .   It’s TRUE ! The concept of information is very broad and covers nearly every aspect of our life! It plays many roles in our society too. Information helps us make decisions and solve problems. It enables the sharing of communication and knowledge. It also drives innovation in many fields. T hink ing critically about information is im portant because it impact s how we think and interact with one another . Here are six books that can help readers learn more about the topic of information.   The History of Informatio n   By Chris Haughton   New York: DK Publishing, 2024. Informational. 143 pages.   This is an amazing resource on the evolution of information systems , from early humans to modern digital networks .   H aughton looks at the early methods,...
Post a Comment
Read more