Three Cool Kids (Hardcover)

by Rebecca Emberley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This visually appealing volume revisits?and revises?The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The "kids" of the title are young, city-dwelling goats named Big, Middle and Little Cool; they have decided to abandon their empty lot for greener urban pastures. Unfortunately, a huge sewer rat lives between them and their destination, and as they trot past its lair, the rat threatens to eat each of them for dinner. The goats, of course, persevere and triumph. The text is somewhat banal, but Emberley (City Sounds; Jungle Sounds) generously compensates with inventive art. Eye-catching collages of textured paper in neutral colors evoke a rundown urban environment?pebbly gray stock represents cement; thin strips criss-cross to form a lattice fence. Neatly snipped corrugated cardboard suggests the kids' horns, fibrous material their coats and cottony tufts their beards. Big Cool nibbles a real shaft of grain, and Middle Cool sports "jingly silver bracelets." Crisp, craftsy and, sure, cool. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2?A hip, inner-city version of Three Billy Goats Gruff, in which rumors of an ugly sewer rat prevent three kids from crossing the street, where the grass in a vacant lot really is greener?and more abundant. Finally, desperate for a better grazing area, the trio muster their courage and take the big step, thus enabling them to confront and banish the bully. Large, crisp collages made from paper, corrugated cardboard, and natural objects bring the goats to vibrant life and create the perfect backdrops for the action. And the goats?Big, "both bossy and saucy"; Middle, vain and demure; and Little, adoring and endearing?burst from the pages. Little, clad in his red hightop sneakers, is particularly appealing, while the rodent looks appropriately malicious. The text is witty, the illustrations whimsical, and the combination utterly charming. Three cheers for Three Cool Kids.?Trev Jones, School Library Journal
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company; 1st edition (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316236667
• ISBN-13: 978-0316236669
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,524,381 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good twist, April 21, 2000

By	Ruhama Kordatzky "librariane" (Burlington, WI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Tired of the same old stories? Then try Three Cool Kids--most children love the fractured fairy tales (just look at the popularity of The Stinky Cheese Man), and this one will be no exception. With big, bold illustrations, this book works for either a classroom, storytime, or a 'cuddle' reading. Children may need to hear the original Billy Goats Gruff first to catch the connection, but even if this one is read first, kids will still love it!