The Three Billy Goats Gruff

A fairytale with a twist from acclaimed author-illustrator duo Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.

Many of the elements of the Norwegian fairytale are present here - a hungry troll under a bridge, the patterned narrative of three successively larger goats 'clip-clopping' overhead - and are blended superbly with Barnett's deadpan narration and comedic timing. There is much to enjoy in both the language and the artwork, such as the gleeful rhymes of the troll describing his favourite goat-based dinners: "Goat smoked, goat poached, a goat pot roast. / Goat smorgasbord! Goat smeared on toast!"; and the slow reveal of Klassen's satisfying visual twist. A very witty take on this classic tale.