The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Rabbit Ears)

Three goats match wits with a terrifying troll in order make their way across a bridge to a succulent clover meadow, in a delightful version of the Norwegian folktale. Read by Holly Hunter. Music by Art Lande.

Roberts' adaptation of the Asbjornsen and Moe story is artfully told in rich poetic language that will fairly roll off a nimble tongue. Youngsters will revel in reading or listening to such phrases as "verdant victuals" and "a nose like an old acorn squash." A slobbering troll speaks in verse, and with a refrain such as, "Billy goat for breakfast! Billy goat for lunch! Billy goat, billy goat, munch munch munch," the traditional "trip, trap, trip" will never be missed. Jorgensen's surprisingly soft illustrations take their texture from the paper on which they are executed and derive their impact from a creative use of perspective rather than bold line and color; his troll will find fans among monster-loving preschoolers, and this gruesome guy is the perfect foil to a trio of rather wistful-looking but nonetheless clever goats. Holly Hunter's virtuoso reading, accompanied by Art Lande's inventive score, completes this wonderful package. Yet another gem! --Jeanne Marie Clancy, Upper Merion Township Library, King of Prussia, PA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.