Billy Goats Gruff

The traditional tale of the three hungry goats gets a modern twist here. This super-ogreish punk troll has green and purple hair, and brandishes cooking utensils like weapons while he reads goat recipes. Children will enjoy the book's lift-the-flap elementcardboard flaps throughout the story reveal the threatening lout who promises to gobble up the goats. Lovers of the more nature-oriented versions might be disappointed by the minimal use of grassy greens and bubbling brooks, though Hellard does make a refreshing departure from the original ending. After being butted over the bridge by the biggest goat, this troll returns ""a changed troll.'' He now bakes cookies and shares his bridge with the goats, leaving plenty of food for all. (2-5)