What do you think?
Rate this book
The Three Billy-Goats Gruff: A Norwegian folk tale
A well-known Norwegian folk tale from Victorian times about three Billy-Goats trying to cross a bridge and a Troll trying to stop them,
This edition is illustrated with woodcuts by Susan Blair.
This edition is illustrated with woodcuts by Susan Blair.
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1841
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 7, 2019
Happy dance! I was so excited to find this book as I remember this same book from my childhood. This is how I tell the story when we play The Three Billy Goats Gruff when we play it/played it with the kids. I love this story and I was so excited to find this book at a garage sale for 50 cents!
I used to play this with my kids growing up and I now, play it with my granddaughter. We take turns playing the troll and being the billy-goat Gruff. We even say, "very well, be off with you!"
This story is a classic for me. I like the rough lines of the drawings (woodcuts) as they make the billy-goats and the troll look realistic. I enjoy that this book does not have a lot of color, for that makes the story stand out. The troll wants to eat the billy goats as they trip! trap! over the bridge to eat on the hillside. He claims that it's his bridge. The billy goats tell the troll that he should wait for the bigger, third billy goat. When the third billy goat comes along, he is bigger but he is also fierce and he won't allow the troll to eat him. The troll was not expecting the billy goat to fight back.
"Snip, snap, snout,
This tale's told out."
I think it's a fun tale with a good lesson. It can be scary and mean for some children, you need to know your audience.
I used to play this with my kids growing up and I now, play it with my granddaughter. We take turns playing the troll and being the billy-goat Gruff. We even say, "very well, be off with you!"
This story is a classic for me. I like the rough lines of the drawings (woodcuts) as they make the billy-goats and the troll look realistic. I enjoy that this book does not have a lot of color, for that makes the story stand out. The troll wants to eat the billy goats as they trip! trap! over the bridge to eat on the hillside. He claims that it's his bridge. The billy goats tell the troll that he should wait for the bigger, third billy goat. When the third billy goat comes along, he is bigger but he is also fierce and he won't allow the troll to eat him. The troll was not expecting the billy goat to fight back.
"Snip, snap, snout,
This tale's told out."
I think it's a fun tale with a good lesson. It can be scary and mean for some children, you need to know your audience.
June 23, 2023
* I consider comments a reward. Please only leave “like button” clicks if you are accompanying them with remarks. *
This is from my childhood! I didn't recognize the cover but one cannot forge memories of items stored by someone else for 30 years! By my teens, I maintained my belongings. It turns out my parents kept two boxes of books, of which I was unaware. I am glad to have these too. What a treat pouring over them, seeing what I remember. I was rewarded by a ping of familiarity when I reached a page upon which this spooky troll begins speaking to the goats. I remember finding the idea of a confrontation and the louder and louder bellowing, scary. What fun, to draw a memory out from three decades ago!
I never care to hear of animals "fattened up" because they are not products to be eaten. I'm not fond of any killing, even the need to battle this troll but folktales are seldom light fare genuinely geared for youngsters. After reading this, how rewarding it is to feel that my appreciation, uncharacteristic for monster stories, is as high as 4 stars! I value originality and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" is not about fooling or escaping by chance. It is emboldening that two goats used intellect and the largest was capable of outright kicking the troll's ass.
I read why the troll looks bizarre, which is what was spooky to me, apart from shouting. Susan Blair was a Pennsylvania wood artist, creating faces etc, that followed their grains! I can also grasp now, the awe of knowing international stories from the 1800s and older. Jørgen Engebretsen Moe (1813 - 1882) and Peter Christen Asbjørnsen (1812 - 1885) were to Norwegian folklore, what Dr. Helen Creighton was to Nova Scotian legends and songs. Their major oeuvre is "Norske Folkeeventyr", from whence "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" likely comes.
This is from my childhood! I didn't recognize the cover but one cannot forge memories of items stored by someone else for 30 years! By my teens, I maintained my belongings. It turns out my parents kept two boxes of books, of which I was unaware. I am glad to have these too. What a treat pouring over them, seeing what I remember. I was rewarded by a ping of familiarity when I reached a page upon which this spooky troll begins speaking to the goats. I remember finding the idea of a confrontation and the louder and louder bellowing, scary. What fun, to draw a memory out from three decades ago!
I never care to hear of animals "fattened up" because they are not products to be eaten. I'm not fond of any killing, even the need to battle this troll but folktales are seldom light fare genuinely geared for youngsters. After reading this, how rewarding it is to feel that my appreciation, uncharacteristic for monster stories, is as high as 4 stars! I value originality and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" is not about fooling or escaping by chance. It is emboldening that two goats used intellect and the largest was capable of outright kicking the troll's ass.
I read why the troll looks bizarre, which is what was spooky to me, apart from shouting. Susan Blair was a Pennsylvania wood artist, creating faces etc, that followed their grains! I can also grasp now, the awe of knowing international stories from the 1800s and older. Jørgen Engebretsen Moe (1813 - 1882) and Peter Christen Asbjørnsen (1812 - 1885) were to Norwegian folklore, what Dr. Helen Creighton was to Nova Scotian legends and songs. Their major oeuvre is "Norske Folkeeventyr", from whence "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" likely comes.
June 30, 2021
I saw this book on a stall at the weekend and it immediately reminded me of Uncle Mac and 'Children's Favourites' from my boyhood. I used to listen on the Light Programme every Saturday morning and this tale was often a featured song (along with Sparky's Magic Piano another favourite of mine) and it always frightened me because of the action of the Troll who lived under the bridge that the three Billy-Goats were wanting to cross.
The Billy-Goats were small, medium and large and the Troll wanted to gobble each of them up as he heard their 'Trip, Trap! Trip, Trap!, Trip, Trap!' as they approached the bridge (I can still hear Uncle Mac reading that sound out and also the accompanying music as he told the tale!
Fortunately the Troll allowed the two smaller ones to cross as he felt that it would be a more substantial meal if he ate the large one. But, unfortunately for the Troll, there were dire consequences when the large Billy-Goat got on the bridge ...
Susan Blair provides some lovely woodcuts to accompany what I never did realise was a Norwegian folk tale.
The Billy-Goats were small, medium and large and the Troll wanted to gobble each of them up as he heard their 'Trip, Trap! Trip, Trap!, Trip, Trap!' as they approached the bridge (I can still hear Uncle Mac reading that sound out and also the accompanying music as he told the tale!
Fortunately the Troll allowed the two smaller ones to cross as he felt that it would be a more substantial meal if he ate the large one. But, unfortunately for the Troll, there were dire consequences when the large Billy-Goat got on the bridge ...
Susan Blair provides some lovely woodcuts to accompany what I never did realise was a Norwegian folk tale.
May 26, 2008
There were always plenty of goat books around growing up. Something about having goats seems to capture people's imagination and encourage them into giving goat gifts. Anyway, this was one of the better ones. It was pre-owned by Dianne S., judging by the indelible marker on the cover. It's funny the things that I have forgotten as an adult. I would have thought I could always tell this story but I found that I had forgotten it, well not the bit about the troll under the bridge, but how the whole thing worked out. If folk-tales are a way to pass down communal wisdom, the message of this story seems unclear to me. Maybe it is that you shouldn't make complicated bargains, but rather leap at the first chance you have, even if there is supposed to be a bigger or better chance coming soon. Maybe it's just that goats will do anything to get food.
August 8, 2011
Oh, three billy goats gruff! where do I start? My first memory of this little gem is associated with my kindergarten class and how much I hated it. But reading this in school made it so much more bearable. I'd fantasize about escaping into the world of the three goats and the mighty troll! It made me forget how much I hated my school and being away from home and the comfort of having my other around.
I made my mom read it to me everyday at bedtime. I'd go through the book, taking in all the illustrations. My little wonderful book was all worn out before the term ended.
My only regret is I don't have a copy anymore. Thinking of getting it once more.
I made my mom read it to me everyday at bedtime. I'd go through the book, taking in all the illustrations. My little wonderful book was all worn out before the term ended.
My only regret is I don't have a copy anymore. Thinking of getting it once more.
February 26, 2013
This absolutely beautiful book was illustrated by Mrs. Blair - our dear family friend who lived down the street and around the corner from us when I was a child. Mrs. Blair's daughter was our favorite baby sitter and her son was my youngest sister's best friend. I have one of her prints in my home and I took art lessons from her for years. Her work is always beautiful and simple, yet also deeply haunting. She perfectly captured the off-balance feeling of fairy tales like this one - buy this for a child you know - or for yourself as a coffee table book - it's wonderful.
October 17, 2017
The Three Billy-Goats Gruff by Susan Blair, is a famous piece of traditional Norwegian literature that is quite well known and has been re-illustrated in multiple different ways. This book has received no awards, although it has spawned many different interpretations. This book would probably be most appropriate for children around second or first grade as the pictures may be slightly frightening. Despite the possibly frightening illustrations, this book would be excellent to have around on the bookshelves for the kids.
The book starts when the three billy-goats run out of food to eat (grass) and son they must move somewhere there is a more abundant amount of grass. To do this they have to cross the bridge where a hideous troll lives, who is possessive and attempts to eat those who cross his path. After the troll threatens the first, smaller goat, the smaller goat tells the troll that he should wait for the next goat. The next goat repeats the same concept, so when the biggest goat comes along he is able to defeat the troll so they can all safely get the grassy fields.
This is a good book that can be seen as a way for kids to stand up to bullies, but in this instance it is telling kids to react in a violent way (if that is the intended purpose). It could also just be a tale about three goats and their trip for food and how they fought adversity to get something they really wanted. Either way this is a very good classic book, but the only thing that may be a large negative are some of the illustrations and the troll specifically. The troll wanting to eat the main characters might scare the younger viewers. If you do gives this book to young kids, be sure to monitor them closely and gauge their reaction to the troll and see whether it frightens them or not. Activities for this book can include changing the species of the goat and their objective, but keep everything else the same and writing their own little book. Another possible activity can include having a share time in a small group environment where kids share a time they were scared or faced adversity and found a way through it, which can give many kids different strategies to solving adversity.
The book starts when the three billy-goats run out of food to eat (grass) and son they must move somewhere there is a more abundant amount of grass. To do this they have to cross the bridge where a hideous troll lives, who is possessive and attempts to eat those who cross his path. After the troll threatens the first, smaller goat, the smaller goat tells the troll that he should wait for the next goat. The next goat repeats the same concept, so when the biggest goat comes along he is able to defeat the troll so they can all safely get the grassy fields.
This is a good book that can be seen as a way for kids to stand up to bullies, but in this instance it is telling kids to react in a violent way (if that is the intended purpose). It could also just be a tale about three goats and their trip for food and how they fought adversity to get something they really wanted. Either way this is a very good classic book, but the only thing that may be a large negative are some of the illustrations and the troll specifically. The troll wanting to eat the main characters might scare the younger viewers. If you do gives this book to young kids, be sure to monitor them closely and gauge their reaction to the troll and see whether it frightens them or not. Activities for this book can include changing the species of the goat and their objective, but keep everything else the same and writing their own little book. Another possible activity can include having a share time in a small group environment where kids share a time they were scared or faced adversity and found a way through it, which can give many kids different strategies to solving adversity.
October 14, 2017
1. Awards received: This book has not received any awards.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for preschool to grade 3.
3. Summary: Three billygoats, all with the name Gruff had a purpose in life that included going up the hillside to make themselves fat. Along the way to the hillside, the billygoats had to pass over a bride that housed a troll next to it. The troll would appear as he heard a billygoat pass ed by and announce that he must eat it. The billygoat, starting from the smallest and ending with the largest, would reason with the troll that he should eat the next incoming billygoat because they are bigger and fatter. This occurred with the small- and medium-size goats, and the troll would let them pass by unharmed. When it came to the third and largest goat, he also reasoned with the troll not to eat him. The third billy goat winds up crushing the troll to bits.
4. I thought the book was interesting, but also a little peculiar. I feel like some kids would be slightly frightened by the way it ends. Although, the book could be manipulated to form a life lesson/moral for the students.
5. Uses in the classroom:
-Classification of sizes: smaller and skinnier to bigger and fatter
-The students can create an alternate ending to the story that would solve the troll problem
-Talk about the different foods that goats eat, or general information about goats and how they live
2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for preschool to grade 3.
3. Summary: Three billygoats, all with the name Gruff had a purpose in life that included going up the hillside to make themselves fat. Along the way to the hillside, the billygoats had to pass over a bride that housed a troll next to it. The troll would appear as he heard a billygoat pass ed by and announce that he must eat it. The billygoat, starting from the smallest and ending with the largest, would reason with the troll that he should eat the next incoming billygoat because they are bigger and fatter. This occurred with the small- and medium-size goats, and the troll would let them pass by unharmed. When it came to the third and largest goat, he also reasoned with the troll not to eat him. The third billy goat winds up crushing the troll to bits.
4. I thought the book was interesting, but also a little peculiar. I feel like some kids would be slightly frightened by the way it ends. Although, the book could be manipulated to form a life lesson/moral for the students.
5. Uses in the classroom:
-Classification of sizes: smaller and skinnier to bigger and fatter
-The students can create an alternate ending to the story that would solve the troll problem
-Talk about the different foods that goats eat, or general information about goats and how they live
October 16, 2017
“The Three Billy Goats Gruff” by Susan Blair; published by Scholastic Book Services; New York; copyright 1963.
1. Awards the book has received: This book has not received any awards.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for children from Kindergarten – 2nd grade.
3. Summary: The Billy goats go over the bridge to go the hillside to make themselves fat. The youngest goat goes first. The troll who lives under the bridge wants to eat him but he says that the second goat is bigger. The troll let him go and waited for the second one. The second goat came and convinced the troll to wait and eat the third Billy goat because he was bigger than the second. Then when the third came along he was too big for the troll and beat up the troll.
4. Review: This Norwegian folktale will grab students’ attention due to the older illustrations. I enjoyed the story but it may be a little much for younger children. It can be read to younger children if they are ready for the story. It can also be used to teach a lesson to students about being greedy.
5. Uses in the classroom:
• Students can act out the story in a dramatic play center.
• Students can create a modern-day application to teach the same lesson and illustrate it.
• Discuss the meaning of the story and why the third Billy goat did what he did.
1. Awards the book has received: This book has not received any awards.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for children from Kindergarten – 2nd grade.
3. Summary: The Billy goats go over the bridge to go the hillside to make themselves fat. The youngest goat goes first. The troll who lives under the bridge wants to eat him but he says that the second goat is bigger. The troll let him go and waited for the second one. The second goat came and convinced the troll to wait and eat the third Billy goat because he was bigger than the second. Then when the third came along he was too big for the troll and beat up the troll.
4. Review: This Norwegian folktale will grab students’ attention due to the older illustrations. I enjoyed the story but it may be a little much for younger children. It can be read to younger children if they are ready for the story. It can also be used to teach a lesson to students about being greedy.
5. Uses in the classroom:
• Students can act out the story in a dramatic play center.
• Students can create a modern-day application to teach the same lesson and illustrate it.
• Discuss the meaning of the story and why the third Billy goat did what he did.
October 14, 2017
1. Awards: none
2. Appropriate grade level(s): First grade through third grade
3. Original 3-line summary: This book is about three Billy Goats wanting to cross a bridge to eat on the other side. Each time one of the goes to cross, a troll that lives under the bridge goes to try to eat them. The first little goat convinces him to wait for the bigger, next one, as well as the second, but the last and biggest goat winds up beating the troll instead of the troll eating it, letting all three goats get fat at the end.
4. Original 3-line review: I think this book is an interesting story to read to elementary kids. It could be good for children to learn folktales of other cultures, as well as see an old story and book. The ending of the troll getting beaten is a little more violent than it should be.
5. 2-3 possible in-class uses:
• have the younger students color in their own goat
• have the older students create their own folktale/story
2. Appropriate grade level(s): First grade through third grade
3. Original 3-line summary: This book is about three Billy Goats wanting to cross a bridge to eat on the other side. Each time one of the goes to cross, a troll that lives under the bridge goes to try to eat them. The first little goat convinces him to wait for the bigger, next one, as well as the second, but the last and biggest goat winds up beating the troll instead of the troll eating it, letting all three goats get fat at the end.
4. Original 3-line review: I think this book is an interesting story to read to elementary kids. It could be good for children to learn folktales of other cultures, as well as see an old story and book. The ending of the troll getting beaten is a little more violent than it should be.
5. 2-3 possible in-class uses:
• have the younger students color in their own goat
• have the older students create their own folktale/story
April 23, 2019
This book hasn't won any awards and it would be appropriate for PreK-2nd grade.
In this story there are three billy-goats, Gruff. They want to cross a bridge to go eat, but there is a troll underneath the bridge. The first billy-goat convinces the troll to wait for his bigger, fatter brother, and the second billy-goat does the same. The third billy-goat comes and takes down the troll, and they all get to go eat.
I never grew up with this folktale, but I think young children would find it humorous. Some might not react well to the goat fighting the troll, but in general children like to see the 'bad guy' go down.
This can be used in the classroom when learning comparisons, as the billy-goats mention being bigger and fatter. It can also be used as a story children can reenact with props in dramatic play or with a felt board.
In this story there are three billy-goats, Gruff. They want to cross a bridge to go eat, but there is a troll underneath the bridge. The first billy-goat convinces the troll to wait for his bigger, fatter brother, and the second billy-goat does the same. The third billy-goat comes and takes down the troll, and they all get to go eat.
I never grew up with this folktale, but I think young children would find it humorous. Some might not react well to the goat fighting the troll, but in general children like to see the 'bad guy' go down.
This can be used in the classroom when learning comparisons, as the billy-goats mention being bigger and fatter. It can also be used as a story children can reenact with props in dramatic play or with a felt board.
March 22, 2022
I choose this book to read to the class because my grandmother used to read me this book all the time during my childhood. The story is about three goats named gruff who want to get on the other-side of the pasture to get "fatter" and eat all they want on the other side of the bridge. To get to the pasture they have to pass the troll that lives under the bridge. The first two billy goats trick the troll by telling the troll that they are to small to be eaten and that the troll should wait for the third goat to pass because he is the biggest out of them all. The troll lets them go and when the third goat passes the third goat puts up a fight and the troll is no more. The illustrations in this book are shades of black, white, and green and the textures are very scratchy to depict the coarse grass and the fur on the goats. When reading this version the book made me feel nostalgic in a way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2021
A summer reading challenge to read a favorite book from childhood sent me looking for this particular version of the Norwegian folk tale as it was the copy I owned. With a little researching then searching used books through Amazon, I located it. After rediscovering this beloved tale, I took an interest in the woodcut illustrations by Susan Blair and how intricate they are.
Folk tale retellings are an important history to each individual culture they develop from and serve to engage a child's imagination, especially when read aloud. This little gem originally published in 1963 doesn't disappoint except for the unfortunate troll under the bridge who gets outsmarted by the three Billy-Goats Gruff.
Folk tale retellings are an important history to each individual culture they develop from and serve to engage a child's imagination, especially when read aloud. This little gem originally published in 1963 doesn't disappoint except for the unfortunate troll under the bridge who gets outsmarted by the three Billy-Goats Gruff.
October 17, 2017
This book tells the old norwegian folktale of the three billy goats, on their way to the mountain to make themselves fat. On the way there, they encounter the troll that resides under the bridge. The troll threatens to eat them all, but luckily for them, they manage to get away unscathed and the third billy goat is able to conquer the troll.
I’m not sure if I would want to read this to a class for any reason other than to teach them what a folktale was. The story is a bit disturbing, and there’s not real cultural context or lesson to get from it.
I’m not sure if I would want to read this to a class for any reason other than to teach them what a folktale was. The story is a bit disturbing, and there’s not real cultural context or lesson to get from it.
December 2, 2017
Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade:1-2
This book is great for kids it is very funny at the end when the troll gets beat up by the biggest Goat in the family of Gruff Goats. I want this book for my future classroom its funny and super adorable.
Grade:1-2
This book is great for kids it is very funny at the end when the troll gets beat up by the biggest Goat in the family of Gruff Goats. I want this book for my future classroom its funny and super adorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2018
I like how this book dealt with bullying. Though I don't necessarily like how the goat pushed the troll, since that goes against the saying two wrongs don't make a right. It still was an easy, interesting read.
Traditional literature
young children, 1-2 grade, middle school if used appropriately
Traditional literature
young children, 1-2 grade, middle school if used appropriately
February 28, 2019
I love this book and re reading it again is making me think of my childhood and growing up. I always enjoyed this book because of what happens at the end. I want to say I wasn’t expecting it to happen but I’m glad it did. Will for sure have this book in my classroom.
December 11, 2017
One of the first books I read.
April 5, 2018
This was my absolute favourite story as a kid.
July 1, 2021
One of my favorites
August 19, 2020
An excellent retelling of the classic story!
Read
November 10, 2014The Three Billy Goats Gruff is about three billy goats who have to get across a bridge. There is a problem though, there's a troll under the bridge. The troll is mean and nasty and doesn't want the billy goats to walk across to the other side because he says that it is his bridge. The troll also wants to eat the billy goats. The billy goats do make it across the bridge safely...or do they?
This is considered traditional literature because it is a fable that young readers would listen to. There is a moral attached to it and it just considered folklore.
This is considered traditional literature because it is a fable that young readers would listen to. There is a moral attached to it and it just considered folklore.
Read
September 6, 2011I have always loved this tale and I remember telling it to my nephews as they were growing up. It's a silly little folktale that always makes me laugh. However, the ending is always a little iffy and sometimes I change it depending who I am telling the story to. It is one of those books that have a successful ending for the protagonist. This has always been one of my most memorable stories and I will keep telling my kids.
August 19, 2016
I didn't really enjoy this book as much as I remembered. This was another book that I remembered from childhood being different. This book was short and sweet but I didn't really enjoy certain things like the illustrations and the text. The illustrations in the book were dull, it looked almost like a shade instead of a colorful book. Also each page was pretty predictable which made the book less interesting. I could see a younger audience reading this book and really enjoying it.
June 22, 2012
black and white etched drawings of the old wives tale of three increacing sized billy goats and a bridge
an interesting rendition
the short story of three billy goats and a brige and how expecting more then you can handel
an interesting rendition
the short story of three billy goats and a brige and how expecting more then you can handel
July 15, 2012
Included because it's the earliest book I can remember -- my grandfather indulged requests for it on every visit. I wish I could recall which copy because I'd love to see those troll illustrations again.
May 18, 2017
The illustrations and story have stuck with me since childhood. I can still it clearly in my head. This is a kid friendly version the Norwegian folk tale, with none of the darkness that exists in some other versions.
December 5, 2008
Loved this story as a child. We had my grandfather tell it pretty much everyday. We even put on a play once!
February 17, 2009
This is a great book for little kids and for kids who are just learning to read.
June 13, 2011
This was a favorite book of mine as a child. It is a favorite book of my boys now. We have read this book and played games based on the book countless times. This a must for every child!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews