Genre
Folklore
Picture books for children
Illustration
Detailed
Subject
Bridges
Cleverness
Goats
Trolls

"Who's that trip-trapping over my bridge?"
Jerry Pinkney's signature style suits this classic tale well. He adds to the ending, as well; when the big billy goat head-butts the troll into the river, an even bigger fish (with four rows of teeth) gobbles up the troll, and a whole herd of billy goats follow the first three over the bridge to the side where the grass is greener. Author's note.
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Re-read February 2022 ( )

This book is about three billy goats trying to cross the bridge where a troll sits and waits to eat billygoats. They find ways to outsmart and the oldest brother eventually defeats the troll. The brothers are able to eat the grass in peace. This book would be great for 2nd-3rd graders. It has easy vocabulary and is a funny story about how the billy goats were very smart and brave. ( )

This is a story I have read many times over, throughout the years. I chose this version because of the beautiful illustrations. There wasn't much variation on the original tale. The little billy goat crosses the bridge first to greener pastures, and the mean troll threatens to eat him. The little billy goat suggests that he wait for the next one, that is significantly bigger and would make a better meal. The troll decides to wait, as he is greedy! The medium billy goat crosses and says the same thing, and the troll waits. When the big billy goat crosses he announces himself to the troll. I noticed a deviation here, from the original. In this story the large billy goat kicks the troll into the water where a giant fish is about to eat him. I like how they were able to outsmart the troll. It is of course better to be smart, than mean. I am happy the person who made up this story so many years ago, decided that the three billy goats would get to go graze on the other side where there was more than enough for all of them to eat. ( )

I think this is my favorite Pinkney story so far. I love that he changed up the classic to make it his own. He gave the mean old troll a chance to learn his lesson by inventing the fish at the end. I had so much fun reading this book to my two year old. He loved all the different voices you can use for the different characters while reading. I hope the students at Ben Franklin have as much fun when I read this with them. ( )