The Three Billy Goats Gruff

The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Peter Christen Asbjornsen
Source/Date: Surlalune Fairy Tales 2007
Reading Level: 2nd Grade
Genre: Fairy Tale

Summary:

Three goats are going to go up the mountain to make themselves fat when they come to a bridge with a troll underneath it. The youngest goat crosses the bridge first. The troll hears him crossing the bridge and is about to gobble him up when the goat tells him that another, bigger goat is on it's way across the bridge, and that he should wait to eat the bigger goat. So the troll lets him pass and waits for the second billy goat gruff to come across the bridge. When he does, the troll is about to gobble him up when he tells him that another, even bigger goat is on it's way across the bridge, and that he should wait to eat the bigger goat. So the troll let him pass, and he waited for the bigger goat to come across the bridge. When he comes along, the troll wants to gobble him up. When he tries to, the big billy goat gruff pokes out his eyes and crushes his bones. Then all the billy-goats gruff were able to get fat and live happily ever after.

Who would benefit from reading this story?

Once again, anybody who enjoys a good fairy tale with talking animals and imaginary creatures would definitely benefit from reading this tale. I think this is another classic tale that young children should grow up hearing.

What conflicts/problems would this book potentially cause?

I don't know that this story would cause any problems. It does contain some violence when the goat kills the troll, but it is an example of when "good" triumphs over "evil".

My Reaction:

This is one of those classic fairy tales that every child knows. I liked it, and I would recommend it to anyone. It's an obvious fairy tale because the animals speak. It allows you to really get into the fairy tale mood when things that imaginary take place. I enjoyed this fairy tale.