Those of us raised in a Euro-centered culture will immediately recognize that folk tale in the title of this post. The Three Billy Goats Gruff is among many traditional tales that were read/told to me in my early years (years that predated the joyous availability, in recent decades, of NEW and original picture books). Retelling, updating, shifting perspectives, and other approaches to turning those familiar tales into new versions have ranged from brilliant to odd/unpublishable.
I place this effort in the brilliant category.
ORCHARD BOOKS (Scholastic)
December, 2022
In this case, THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF, retold by the talented Mac Burnett and illustrated by the talented Jon Klassen, the pairing of their impressive talents produced a winningly fresh approach to a well-known tale. Burnett's retelling follows closely to the original, but engages from page one through to the chuckle-worthy ending.
The humor threading through the text and illustrations accounts for that undeniable appeal. Troll is not depicted in the typical style of trolls, especially those found in a more Norwegian approach that may have come to mind when you first read the title of this post. It's not that Troll isn't comparably gross, doesn't also long to gobble up "meals" that dare to cross his bridge. In fact, though, this particular troll more closely resembles an oversized river rat. Troll clearly resides in the muddy, stagnant waters below the bridge, bobbing with bones and bugs and trash. Endpapers provide an even more elaborate image of Troll's "home", including skulls and ribs and a sense of how disgusting this character actually is.
Burnett's text provides some suggestion of all this. Then Klassen's art (as limited in color and evocative in detail and rough edges as his work often is) generates a cautionary mood to readers. Do not mess with TROLL! This effect makes the bravery of each goat even more impressive without requiring added text in that aspect of the story.
Where Burnett does expand text it serves to take readers into the personality and eating-obsession of that Troll fellow. The narrative overall is not rhymed, but Troll adopts rhyming chants that feature his imaginative approach to the "gobbling" he desires.
Repetition of his rhymed-challenge to those who cross offers a hint of his language skill:
"Who seeks to reach the grassy ridge?/Who dares to walk across my bridge?"
Each encounter suggests chef-level imagination, singing on the page, suggesting enticing menu options. A short example follows:
"Goat smoked, goat poached, a goat pot roast.
Goat smorgasbord! Goat smeared on toast!
A goat kale salad-- hold the kale.
Goat escargot! (That's goat plus snails.)
On goat I'll dine, on goat I'll sup.
You little goat, I'll eat you up!"
This effective development of Troll as a complex character allows readers to view Troll as perhaps less evil and more intriguing. Readers will certainly be rooting for the goats, but the eventual fate of Troll as we come to know him elicits a slightly empathetic reaction, at least it did to me.
Don't let the familiarity of your childhood memories of this tale cause you to overlook or dismiss this new offering. It is a lively, laughable, and wry look at a classic, providing the central story with a very creative take. It passes and exceeds the tests of readability out loud, re-reading appeal, and potential for new discoveries with each reading.
Bon Apetit!
I loved this book and so did my grandkids! We had a great group laugh as we read.
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