School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2020)

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

ALA Booklist (Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2020)

Who doesn't love the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff and the scary troll? With rhyming text and a mixture of Spanish and English, Elya presents a modern take on the old classic. Here the three little cabritos encounter a blue, toothy troll on their way to cross el rio to get to that tasty grass. One by one, the goats cross until the third one gets stopped by the troll, but this inquisitive cabrito wants to know why the troll is so grumpy! After finding the reason and mobilizing others to help, the three little goats are rewarded for their kindness by being freely allowed to cross the bridge. As a read-aloud, this bouncy rhyming story, which smoothly incorporates Spanish words and encourages proper pronunciation, provides a great opportunity to discuss kindness. Ordóñez's blocky, bright illustrations, composed of rounded shapes in flat swathes of color, add to the cheerful atmosphere. A glossary of Spanish terms and pronunciation guide bolster language-learning opportunities in this lively, engaging take on a classic tale.

Horn Book

Elya (Little Roja Riding Hood, rev. 7/14, and others) introduces a "brotherly trio" needing to "crisscross a fast-moving río." The first two goats circumvent the scary troll who guards the bridge by convincing her not to eat them, but instead to wait for their brother ("so delicioso"). When it's Número Tres's turn, the older, wiser, more compassionate goat pauses in reflection to consider the troll's plight: "What will she eat después?...And why's she so grumpy?" Tres's selflessness disarms the creature, flipping the traditional folktale's arc -- and incorporating a little "Lion and the Mouse." Elya's tale (with hints of a political register) models acts of lovingkindness, ultimately showing how caring for others wins over greed and fear. This gentleness, paired with a jaunty and uncomplicated rhyme scheme of couplets, makes for an entertaining read-aloud. Ordóñez's deft pencil, collage, and digital illustrations enhance the tone and characters, conveying emotion and pace with clean use of bold lines and very simple shapes. A glossary of Spanish words is included. Lettycia Terrones

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

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.)