The Three Billy Goats Gruff was one of my favorite stories when I was young. There was something very appealing about those three. I guess I admired their determination to cross that bridge and escape being eaten by the Troll. Sort of like me and the writers I know these days. If we can just get across that bridge, we’ll reach the side where that lovely grassy hillside lies. In this rather creaky metaphor that would be the world of successful publication.
I still enjoy the story and so to make it a little longer and extend my enjoyment, I adopted a baby goat–actually my neighbor’s baby goat. I couldn’t resist. Now I can say there are four Billy Goats Gruff: a baby, a small one, a large one and a very LARGE one. I’m rather partial to this littlest addition. He’s only a week old, but he sure gets around.
Do you have a favorite very young book that you remember from childhood? Did it have a message that stuck with you?
Lexa Cain says
Where I live (Hurghada), there used to be nothing but sand and goat-herders twenty-years ago. Now, it's a city of thousands, but the goat-herders are still allowed to bring their goats through town and drivers just have to slow down. Like yours, there are big ones, little ones, and very BIG ones. It's still weird seeing them wandering down the sidewalk in town, though…
Jessica L. Foster says
Oh the goat is so cute. The Three Billy Goats is a great story. When I was a child I loved any book about Clifford the Big Red Dog and A Wocket in My Pocket always made me giggle.
LM Preston says
I still can recite 'Green Eggs and Ham'
Nas says
I loved Gulliver's Travels. And used to read The Three Billy Goats. Lovely that you have adopted the neighbours goat!
Old Kitty says
Aww! The new addition to your family is ADORABLE!!!! Awwww!!
I love your writerly metaphor but I always think the troll in this story is misunderstood! LOL! He just wants to play! LOL!
I love the Ugly Duckling! Take care
x
Talli Roland says
A baby goat! Aw! Is there anything cuter? I think not.
Hm… the tortoise and the hare sticks with me.
Fairday Morrow says
I liked The Three Billy Goats Gruff, too. Your goat is too cute! I have a lot of books that I loved as child. I would have to say my book of fairy tales is at the top. I learned different lessons from each tale.
~Jess
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Aw, how sweet. Unfortunately, I was not a reader as a child so I have no favorite books to recall. I did love to listen to the radio. A program called Let's Pretend told fairy tales, like Cinderella, Snow White, etc. I loved listening to those. Still did not read the books, though.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee … Grimms' Fairy Stories, Edward Lear's Owl and the Pussycat, Beatrix Potter stories … Pooh Bear stories .. etc .. love them all and enjoyed your Billy Goat tale – I've friends who've got some goats .. fun to be around them .. cheers Hilary
Adrienne says
I loved all the Beatrix Potter books, but my favorite one was Mrs. Tiggywinkle, the hedgehog.
Lynn Proctor says
i really liked green eggs and ham and i have always wondered what they might taste like–i always liked your pick to:)
Catherine Stine says
Bambi, I guess. My mother read it to me, and she cried over it. I remember that with warmth as she showed me it was okay to express real emotions. The book taught me that you can go on without your parents if need be. Luckily my mom is still around!
M Pax says
Aww, how cute. A friend of mine raises goats. I did always like that story.
Mark Koopmans says
Oh cool! We're going down memory lane (You should expand and make this a blogfest.. I bet you would get a great response π
For me, it was my Dutch "Oma" (grandma) who set me up with reading for life and one of my most favorite books from those days (me being five or six) was a series called The Church Mouse by Graham Oakley.
When Oma passed, one of the things she left me were the Church Mouse series and now I'm looking at them π and waiting for my little guys to grow a little bit more before I introduce them to the little mouse that could π
Thanks for the happy memories π
Marcia says
Oh, my husband loved this one. And once, in a kindergarten play, my son got to play the troll. π
Jemi Fraser says
Love that little guy!!! He's adorable!
I don't remember many kids' books from my own childhood – but I know the Pied Piper story (not sure if it was on tv or in a book though) had a profound effect on me. When the cave closed at the end with the one poor boy on the outside while all the others got to follow the music, I was devastated. Still remember the shock and feelings.
Christine Rains says
I liked The Poky Little Puppy. Taught me not to be poky! *LOL*
nanmarino says
Wait, you have four real goats?! That little one is very cute.
There was a book called Sam, Bangs and Moonshine that I absolutely adored.
Samantha says
I loved The Tap Dancing Man. The illustrations were so captivating to me that I would just stare at the book for hours.
Carrie Butler says
I enjoyed Golden Books like The Poky Little Puppy and The Color Kittens. π
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
And he already has a voice!
I remember all the Dr. Seuss books. And The Mouse and the Motorcycle.
D.B. Smyth says
My grandmother told me the story of the North Wind every time I stayed with her. I loved the boy's courage, determination and wit. He didn't let doubt or disappointment stop him from reaching his goal. I'd never thought of it before, but yes! That desire to keep pushing forward despite challenges has definitely stuck with me. Thanks for helping me connect a dot!
Kelly Hashway says
Oh so cute! One of my friends has two goats. We like to feed them. π
I always loved the Three Billy Goats Gruff, too. My favorite was the Little Red Hen though. Great lesson on how laziness gets you nothing.
Barbara Fisher March House Books says
The sleeping beauty or Cinderella – I can't decide between them β but they both involve a handsome prince, and Iβve been married to mine for forty-two years!
E.J. Wesley says
My grandmother told us this story over and over! One of my favorites too. Thanks for the memories! π
Ben Woodard says
I tell stories in the elementary schools, and this is one I use. Most of the kids know it, but they still love it. I vary what happens to the troll depending on the age of the students. And I love telling it. Great fun.
C. Lee McKenzie says
How wonderful that you use this story. Just visited your webpage. It's lovely.
Theresa Milstein says
Loved The Lorax book. Read it over and over. Have cared about the environment ever since.
I like Three Silly Girls Grub version. Ever read it?