June 2017

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Jerry Pinkney

When I thought about the June Book of the Month, I had to end the year with a book about animals. After all, learning about and celebrating animals was what we did this year!  The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney is this month’s selection.

Over the years I have read many beautifully illustrated books by Jerry Pinkney and to my surprise, never honored one of his works as a Book of the Month. Mr. Pinkney has illustrated over one hundred books, and earned five Caldecott honors and one Caldecott medal. Needless to say, his illustrations are exquisite. 

Of note here is that the story of the The Three Billy Goats Gruff has been a beloved puppet show at CHP and it has been since I first joined the staff twenty-five years ago. I have been so lucky to have watched a hoard of young CHP’ers, acting like goats, travel over our wooden rocker/bridge to the delight of all who watched. Sometimes, the troll was played by a hearty student and at other times, Caroline Ryburn stepped into the role! 

This edition of The Three Billy Goats Gruff is so beautiful. It is a true classic that belongs in every child’s picture book library.