The Three Billy Goats Buenos (English With Some Spanish)

PreS-Gr 1--A retelling of the Norwegian fairy tale, "Three Billy Goats Gruff." Three goats cross a bridge where a hungry "gigante" lives. As the goats, one by one, so ingeniously try to deceive the monster, the last and biggest goat has a realization that changes the outcome for all the characters. Former Spanish teacher and children book author Middleton presents the tale in rhyme with Spanish words in bold scattered throughout the two-line sentences that build the narrative. The generously sized font uses preschool-friendly vocabulary. The pencil, collage, and digitally made pastel-colored illustrations are set on a white background depicting geometrical figures and curved lines that could be used in an interactive storytime, where children find different shapes. This picture book exposes children to themes such as empathy, kindness, teamwork, and friendship, providing an ideal opportunity for a storytime focused on mindfulness. The front matter contains a glossary with all the Spanish words used in the story. VERDICT A thoughtful picture book that will motivate youngsters to look beyond appearances.--Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA

Zany charm imbues Elya's deft retelling of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Rhymes silly and clever weave in Spanish vocabulary words, sneakily cuing correct pronunciation: "There once were three goats, a brotherly trio/ They needed to crisscross a fast-moving río.// But under the bridge lived a grumpy gigante/ with tootsies as big as a small elefante." The cabritos, of course, make it by the troll, but Middleton Elya tweaks the plot. As the third goat, Tres, faces the troll, he notices something: "Stuck to her foot was a long, sharp espina./ ¡Ay! That must hurt you a lot, mi vecina!" The goats band together to soothe her, and the delightful story ends in an unexpected friendship. Ordóñez's bug-eyed goats and triangle-toothed troll frolic in a sunny landscape of blocky shapes in vibrant hues. A glossary provides English definitions of Spanish-language words. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

"Spanish words and phrases dance agilely throughout Elya's verses, and each couplet ends in a rhyme that will be predictable for kids comfortable in one, either, or both languages . . . Ordóñez's pencil, collage, and digital compositions are sleek and playful . . . Tailormade for sharing with a storytime audience of English and Spanish speakers. " -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books