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32 pp.
| Putnam
| March, 2020
|
Trade
ISBN 978-0-399-54739-3
$16.99
|
Ebook
ISBN 978-0-399-54740-9
(
2)
PS
Illustrated by
Miguel Ordóñez.
Elya (
Little Roja Riding Hood, rev. 7/14, and others) introduces a "brotherly trio" needing to "crisscross a fast-moving río." The first two goats circumvent the scary troll who guards the bridge by convincing her not to eat them, but instead to wait for their brother ("so delicioso"). When it's Número Tres's turn, the older, wiser, more compassionate goat pauses in reflection to consider the troll's plight: "What will she eat después?...And why's she so grumpy?" Tres's selflessness disarms the creature, flipping the traditional folktale's arc--and incorporating a little "Lion and the Mouse." Elya's tale (with hints of a political register) models acts of lovingkindness, ultimately showing how caring for others wins over greed and fear. This gentleness, paired with a jaunty and uncomplicated rhyme scheme of couplets, makes for an entertaining read-aloud. Ordóñez's deft pencil, collage, and digital illustrations enhance the tone and characters, conveying emotion and pace with clean use of bold lines and very simple shapes. A glossary of Spanish words is included.