The folktale of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” is given a fresh flair with understated illustrations in muted tones by Jon Klassen and the subversive humor of Mac Barnett’s writing. Their retelling honors the Norwegian origins of the clever goat brothers’ story, while punching up the drama of the hungry troll beneath the bridge. “Who seeks to reach the grassy ridge? Who dares to walk across my bridge?” asserts the ridiculously nasty troll as each Billy Goat Gruff dares to pass. While the troll’s demise will not be a surprise, the humor of his goat recipes (“Goat smoked, goat poached, a goat pot roast. / Goat smorgasbord! Goat smeared on toast!”) will delight readers and begs to be read aloud. Highly Commended, 2023 Charlotte Zolotow Award ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center (Ages 4-8)

Instant New York Times bestseller!

The MOMENTOUS debut of a groundbreaking Fairy Tale series -- a brilliantly crafted, hilarious twist on this beloved classic, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, from renowned, award-winning, and New York Times bestselling duo and picture book pioneers Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen!

Once there was a bridge and a terrible and VERY hungry troll lived underneath it. When the three Billy Goats Gruff decide to clip-clop across the bridge to get to the grassy ridge, the troll is already imagining all the way to prepare a delicious goat dinner. But the troll underestimates those seemingly sweet but oh-so-savvy goats! This is the first in a groundbreaking new collection of fractured fairy tales crafted by one of today's most celebrated and acclaimed authors, Mac Barnett, and brought to stunning visual life by award-winning and beloved creator of I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen.

Told with pitch perfect timing and pacing, hilarious detail, and Barnett's signature narrator voice, this is Billy Goats Gruff as never before. High-stakes page turns will have readers on the edge of their seats and giggling along, as they join each goat and anticipate the arrival of the hungry and terrible troll living under the bridge. With Klassen's brilliantly restrained scenes, arresting characters, and celebrated artistic style, this first of three fairy tales is destined to be a true publishing event!

With a multitude of Caldecott Medals, Honors, international awards, and New York Times bestsellers to their names both independently and in collaboration, this is a creative pairing that is electric. So get ready to experience picture book magic... all you have to do is cross the bridge!