ACCESS DIGITIZED EDITION
Guide/Reviews Database
PRESCHOOL
Elya, Susan Middleton

The Three Billy Goats Buenos

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.
Reviewer: Lettycia Terrones | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

RELATED 

PRESCHOOL

The Farmer and the Circus
by Frazee, Marla
PRESCHOOL

Bird House
by Gómez, Blanca
PRESCHOOL

The Crow and the Peacock
by Fernihough, Jo
PRESCHOOL

Something's Wrong!
by John, Jory
PRESCHOOL

Grandpa Across the Ocean
by Yum, Hyewon
More

Get connected. Join our global community of more than 200,000 librarians and educators.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?