Larry Carney

Summary:
This children's book is about three billy goats named Gruff. They were very hungry and wanted to cross a bridge to go get fresh grass. However, on the bridge was a mean troll who made it complicated for the goats to pass. So the youngest smallest goat goes to cross the bridge first and the troll stops him. The troll threatens to eat him and the goat tells the troll to let him pass and he can eat his bigger brother who will be coming soon. So the troll allows him to pass. The second goat comes along and the same thing happens and the second goat replies with the same answer which was to wait for the next goat, for he is bigger. The last goat comes and he is indeed the biggest of the three goats. When the oldest, biggest goat comes the troll threatens him and the goat rams the troll with his head. The troll is pushed off the bridge and the goat passes by. All three goats eats their grass in peace.

Personal reaction:
This book wasn't one of my personal favorites but can be very appealing to children. It includes the magic number 3 and fictional characters.

Extension ideas:
I would have the children name the three goats and create an alternate ending for the story.
I would have the children write the story over in the trolls point of view.… (meer)