The Three Billy Goats Gruff [Paperback]

Janet Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Big Books

Janet Stevens gives us a new look at the confrontation between three billy goats and an ugly troll. “The pictures are exceptionally well reproduced, and Stevens makes clever use of her layout, propelling the actions out of the borders at times, giving them verve and movement.”--Booklist

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 Only the familiar plot of this well-known Norwegian folktale is recognizable in this revision. Gone is the cadence and beauty of G. W. Dasent's translation of Asbjornsen and Moe's text, found in Marcia Brown's version (HBJ, 1957; o.p.). Instead there is language devoid of rhythm and mystery. In addition, unnecessary motivations are ascribed to the characters that serve to explain the reason for their violent actions (the troll is hungry; the big Billy Goat Gruff is angry). These explanations serve only to dilute the power of the story. The full-color illustrations are humorous; the goats walk about on their hind legs, the smallest goat wears a diaper and sucks a pacifier, and the biggest wears a black leather jacket, to reinforce the point that he is tough enough to destroy the troll. The troll is quite scary, and although he does have a nose as long as a poker, his eyes are not as big as saucers; the illustration that introduces the troll does not even show his eyes. A better purchase is Galdone's version (Clarion, 1981) which is well-suited for use with large groups and more closely follows the standard translation. Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, Conn.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

PreSchool-Grade 2 Only the familiar plot of this well-known Norwegian folktale is recognizable in this revision. Gone is the cadence and beauty of G. W. Dasent's translation of Asbjornsen and Moe's text, found in Marcia Brown's version (HBJ, 1957; o.p.). Instead there is language devoid of rhythm and mystery. In addition, unnecessary motivations are ascribed to the characters that serve to explain the reason for their violent actions (the troll is hungry; the big Billy Goat Gruff is angry). These explanations serve only to dilute the power of the story. The full-color illustrations are humorous; the goats walk about on their hind legs, the smallest goat wears a diaper and sucks a pacifier, and the biggest wears a black leather jacket, to reinforce the point that he is tough enough to destroy the troll. The troll is quite scary, and although he does have a nose as long as a poker, his eyes are not as big as saucers; the illustration that introduces the troll does not even show his eyes. A better purchase is Galdone's version (Clarion, 1981) which is well-suited for use with large groups and more closely follows the standard translation. Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, Conn. (School Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (March 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152863974
• ISBN-13: 978-0152863975
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "A Review of Paul Galdone's "Three Billy Goats Gruff", June 20, 2005

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Paperback)

On this page, and on one other page that I know, Amazon has accidentally put the reviews of different versions of classic fairytales together. In this case, you will see reviews of more than one version of "The Billy Goats Gruff".

For example in the "Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal" the reviewer says that the 'goats are angry' and that 'the baby goat is wearing a diaper'. I assure you that none of these elements are present in the Paul Galdone version of the story. Neither is there a black leather jacket. (No wonder the reviewer didn't like it. Sounds dreadful.)

What you will find is a classic retelling of the story of troll versus goats; and the usual delightful Galdone artwork. *Look Inside* this book yourself and see.

Certainly my family has enjoyed this version.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Faithful retelling of the fairy tale, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Paperback)

My boys love this author's version of the Three Little Pigs, so I bought a few more of his fairy tales for them. They also liked this one, but not as much. That might just be because it's not quite as interesting a tale! But the illustrations are well done---especially the troll, who is truly scary looking! This is a good book for a reader who likes to do voices, as you really have to use dramatic effect to show how the biggest billy goat has a loud and intimidating voice while the little one has a tiny and timid voice!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Son Loved This Version, December 10, 2002

By 

Claire Wadlington "avid reader & startup inve... (Newton, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Hardcover)

We have checked out a number of versions of The Three Billy Goats Gruff from the Library when my son was 4. This is the version he liked the most. It is very simple (as one reviewer uses as a reason to reject it) but for some ages, that simplicity is what makes it a favorite.