The Three Billy Goats Gruff

by Ellen Rudin (Adaptor), Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Lilian Obligado (Illustrator)

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books, Animals, Fairy Tales, Classics, Fantasy

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Amy Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a great one to use with children as it has lots of repetition which would allow a class to join in. In some parts, it incorporates poetry into it so can be used in poetry lessons to point out the rhyme and alliteration. The story works well in drama as the plot is easy to remember and there is great character differentiation. The text itself is useful to use as it would be successful for grammar lessons to show a range of different techniques. The story is funny and enjoyable and would allow the children to engage well in the plot.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was most definitely one of the Little Golden Books that I remembered as a child. The story was just the same old, same old about the Goats Gruff but it was with a much more realistic cast and a widely common version that was cheaply available.

For me what makes this particular version quite an eye-catcher is the detailed illustrations. The side that the Goats Gruff start on has been illustrated to be a bleak, rocky place with what looks like a lack of food necessary for any creature with any appetite, let alone three. And the field of sweet green grass on the other side looks so promising and tender that it will beckon the reader just as much as the gorgeous cattails and lotus in the water.

Furthermore the goats are very realistically drawn and I love the fact that even the littlest one not only has his spiky horns but small wattles on his throat. And who can argue the troll in this version? Unlike other variations he floats in the water with no actual home under the bridge and his hair floating out like water weeds. At the same time he seems to have the whole bad boys of the 90s flair with his single hoop earring in his ear.

All in all quite a fun little story and one that would be great for any collection for those who like to keep the older fairy tales going.

[Ashley Arrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Three Billy Goats Gruff is about three brother billy goats who want to cross the bridge to eat the sweet green grass, but there is a mean troll living under the bridge who wants to eat them. The littlest goat decides to go first over the bridge and tells the troll to eat his older brother who is much bigger. The middle goat goes over second and tells the troll to eat the last goat because he is the biggest and best. When the final goat goes over the bridge, the troll comes up and says he is going to eat him. The biggest goat fights him off and gets over the bridge to the sweet green grass with his goat brothers. The goats could then cross the bridge whenever they wanted and eat all the green grass they wanted. The mean troll never bothered them again.

The overall theme of the story is that it is important to stand up to bullies because it will pay off in the end. Also, bravery can go along way and make mean people silence.

When I read The Three Billy Goats Gruff, I felt a sense of pride as the oldest, biggest goat stood up to the bully for the betterment of his brother goats. It was so touching to see the big brother goat fight off the bully of a troll so that him and his brother goats could freely go over the bridge to the sweet green grass. Once the goats stood up to the troll, they were never bothered again. All it took was one act of bravery to be left alone.

I would recommend this book because it has a very important underlying message of how important it is to stand up to bullies. The troll thought it was okay to not let the goats pass over the bridge and bully them. The biggest goat knew he must stand up to the troll’s unfair behavior. This book shows that it is not okay to be mean to others for self-pride. It is important for kids to see that it takes bravery to stand up to someone who seems bigger and tougher in appearance.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Three Billy Goats Gruff is about three goats that want to cross the bridge to get to greener grass. They are unable to cross the bridge because a mean troll lives there. Both the first and second coat to cross tells the troll to eat the third goat because he is the biggest and the best. When it came time for the third goat to cross he stood up to the troll and fought him. Now the goats can cross the bridge whenever they want to get to the greener grass. The moral of the story is to be brave and stand up to bullies. The third goat to cross was the oldest of them and he got rid of the troll for the betterment of himself and the other goats. I connected with us because as the oldest sibling I am always looking out for my younger siblings. This would be a good book to use in class because it teaches kids that even though the bully might be meaner and stronger all you need to do is stand up and they will back down.

[Janyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Billy goats were enjoying the mountain side. They were not enjoying the grass that they were eating. They noticed the other hillside had the nicest greenest looking grass. They decided they would go to that hillside. While they were traveling there, they came to a bridge. Under this bridge lived a mean troll. The troll would not anyone cross the bridge. The billy goat tried and the troll stopped him. This continued on. Eventually, the largest of the brothers was able to clear the way. This is a fun book for children to read.

[Jerrica Yadon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because it is a classic and has repetition. The repetition is good for story telling. Each goat takes a turn going over the bridge, starting with the smallest, and the troll repeats himself each time with the same words. It also shows how the story changes and doesn't continuously repeats itself when the Big Billy Goat Gruff knocks the troll down/away. It is a great book especially for young readers to learn how a story works, and how they are not all the same every page.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Children's classic. The 3 billy goats gruff wanted to go to the meadow for the rich green grass on the other side of the river, but they have to cross the bridge and under the bridge lives a big bad troll. who frightens anyone away and wants to eat them whenever they cross the bridge.

will they get to the other side to the meadow.

[lou ☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this out from my local library to read to my niece and nephew (never having heard of it) and turns out my grandma read this to my mom when she was young, and my mom must’ve read it to me. I don’t remember it, but it feels special now.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic that is great to read aloud to the children. Especially if the reader acts out the voices.

[Taunjac · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book from my childhood that my grandfather read to me over and over again :)

[Jennifer Fann-Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic

[Saketh]

This Is So Funny

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adding to my collection of Golden books. this 1982 retellingof the Three Billy Goats Gruff captures the classic tale with dialogue that would be good to act out in different parts.

[Emily Storytime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used with coworker Ann's incredible shadowbox story figures! The kiddos love it.

[K Morlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent retelling of the classic story!

[Sarah Rostkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say this book is also for 2nd graders. Its another easy reader and they words are easy to read. this book was about 3 billy goats that lived a mountain. and on the other of the bridge there was a grass area where the billy goats liked to eat. but there was one problem,they had a troll living under the bridge that would stop them from getting across. each billy goat went across one by one and each of them got stopped by the troll. and the first two got acrossed. the thrid one got stopped buy the troll and told him that he wasnt getting acrossed but the billy goat pushed the troll off the bridge and the troll was never seen again.

i would say this might keep a 2nd graders attention. but the colors were not that bright and the pictures were not that detailed. so it might not hold the attention of a kid.

i might recommand this book to a 2nd grader but it wouldnt be the first book that i would tell them to read

[Brianna Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version of the book is a great version to read to children, though doing some research I did find that there are multiple, more violent/descriptive versions of the end of the story so beware! However the version I read was simply about three goats all named "Gruff" who aspired to cross a bridge that lead to fresh, lush grass, but it was constantly guarded by a mean troll. Finally, the three goats decide to cross the bridge at separate times, each facing the troll alone. As the two younger share the same trick to explaining to the troll why they should be allowed to cross, it leaves the eldest Gruff goat with no way out but to bravely confront the troll, which ultimately ends up with the troll being forced out of the way for the eldest Gruff goat to happily join the younger brothers eating the lush grass!

[Michael Curran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awards: N/A

Grade Level: K – 2

Summary: This story is about three goats who want to cross a bridge to get to a field of green grass. The troll that lives under the bridge stops each one to try to eat them, but the first two goats convince the troll to wait for the next goat because they will be bigger and tastier. The third, largest goat rams the troll off of the bridge, and the troll never bothers them again.

Review: I really like this rendition of the story. I think that the illustrations are very articulate, and visually pleasing. I also think that this version is written better than other versions that I’ve read.

In-class Uses:
1) This story can be used for developing an understanding of differences in size (particularly for K or possibly even PreK)
2) This story can be used to demonstrate bullying, and can open a discussion about why bullying is wrong.

[Asma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. I think this book could be enjoyed by all ages but in particular will appeal to EYFS and KS1 children. The book is about 3 billy goats that live on a mountain but want to cross to the other side o where there is nice grass for them to eat. Unfortunately there is a troll living under the bridge that stops them from getting across. Each billy goat goes across one by one but get stopped by the troll.

This book would really appeal to children especially how the billy goats trick the troll and get him banished from under the bridge. Furthermore I have seen this book being used as a starting point for a topic on bridges in a Year 2 class. It was a good introduction because the children read half the book and had to imagine what would happen at the end of the book.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic! Afraid to cross the bridge because of the troll who lives underneath, three goats finally take the journey to enjoy the grass on the other side. The littlest goat throws his bigger brother under the bus by telling the troll he's bigger and tastier. The middle goat does the same. The troll comes up for the third brother who promptly bucks him into the water. The troll didn't bother the goats again; they grazed on the other side whenever they chose.

[Turrean · Rating 2 out of 5]

It does always annoy me when storytellers don't highlight how clever the goats are being when they convince the troll to let the first two goats pass over the bridge. This retelling says the little and middle goats are afraid and basically beg the troll to eat their big brother. No honor among goats, I guess. The story is so much more fun when you realize they're tricking the troll into facing the one opponent who can beat him. Bah.

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best version of this story out there. Well, out of the 10 or so I've read. The illustrations and story have stuck with me since childhood. I can still it clearly in my head. This is a kid friendly version the Norwegian folk tale, with none of the darkness that exists in some other versions.

[Lauren Vietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tradition folk tale:
This was one of my favorites as a child. The 3 goats want to get over to the other side of the stream, but they are stopped by a troll under the bridge. They all take their turns moving across the bridge, eat goat saying you should eat my next goat brother. The three goat brothers end up tricking the troll and are able to happily go to the pasture.

[Everet Nestripke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! It teaches a wonderful lesson and is very exciting for children. Lots of room for fun voices and noises. One of the best books ever for reading to your children as they wait to sleep.

[Carol Rose Stark Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still enjoy this book; and Lilian Obligado's illustrations are exquisite.

[Michelle (In Libris Veritas) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a great easy to read children's book with wonderful art. I remember as a kid being obsessed with all the details the illustrator put into the pictures.

[Edgar Peña · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a child. A good moral lesson to consider is the value of understanding self-discipline in a challenging environment.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a cute short tale that young children would get a kick out of. Good example of fairy tales and traditional literature.

[Jenks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent childhood classic

[Shayd Elmore]

This is a great fiction book (reading and writing content) that can convey non/anti-bullying messages that tie into social/cultural perspectives.