Reviewed by Kate
The Three Billy Goats Ungruffed
Reviewed by Kate The Three Billy Goats Ungruffed
"The Three Billy Goats Ungruffed, or no longer grim", is a re-working in verse, for children, of the familiar tale of the three Billy Goats Gruff. The Billies, with the help of an optimistic young girl, find a different way to tackle the crossing of the troll-guarded river.
This poem rolls along quite smartly, with echoes of Roald Dahl's rhymes, but with none of the gore that he favors. The rhythm sometimes stumbles a little, although not to any great detriment.
The message is one of empowerment, to use one of those annoyingly trendy words, that we are not doomed, in more ways than one, to relive the cyclical fairy-tale dilemmas of the past.
The language is simple enough for children, and at times lyrical; for example: "The goats feel the wind, and now they are free." The strong point of the poem is the action, the bit about the goats lending a hand conjures up a lovely picture, and I would suggest to the author that this element could be expanded, and some of the philosophical discussion taken out, as it is the action that will hold children's attention.
The only stylistic quibble I have is with one awkward construction near the end: "That just who we are is one who believes". I had a few tries at trying to untangle it, with no luck, maybe the author had the same difficulty.
Overall, though, a nice piece for kids old enough to know the original story and appreciate the conversion.
Reviewed by � Kate
Read Three Billy Goats Ungruffed
Return to.... SSC
