The Three Billy-Goats Gruff, Ladybird 1968

[pete9012S]

Haven't read this for years:

https://ia801002.us.archive.org/31/item ... 0Gruff.pdf

[Fiona1986]

Ahh do you even have children if you don't start going on about trolls and trip-trap-tripping over MYYYYYY bridge every time you walk across a bridge?

Not that children are required for this sort of behaviour. But they're a good excuse

[Judith Crabb]

True, Fiona, and it's awful to think that today's children are less and less likely to be be brought up on the traditional tales. I believe that my first genuine memory (as distinct from all the memories reconstructed from what older people tell us happened) is from 1953 and the reception class at Infant school: a bridge made out of tiny desks and chairs, and classmates (and possibly me, but I don't remember) taking turns at re-enacting 'Three Billy-Goats Gruff'. Probably such activities are forbidden these days (workplace safety issues).
Once again, thanks Pete.

[Anita Bensoussane]

I loved traditional tales as a child, as did my own daughter and son. The rhythmic prose, the repetitions and the conventions (e.g. things happening in "threes", and ingenuity overcoming brutality) make them a delight to read over and over again, either to an audience or to oneself. I had all of the "well-loved tales" that were published by Ladybird in the 1960s and 1970s, and my children read them as well. I still have my childhood copies and continue to read them from time to time. Robert Lumley's illustrations for The Three Billy-goats Gruff are wonderful with a deliciously scary troll, quirky perspectives and an idyllic-looking meadow.

[Aussie Sue]

My children and I spent hours playing 'The Three Billy-Goats Gruff, using that Ladybird book making bridges with tables and chairs. Wonderful book and a wonderful memories

[Lucky Star]

I too had this book and many others in the series. I loved them and read them over and over again. They were my introduction to reading. I don't remember ever playing teh game but I do remember looking under the bridge in our town to see if any trolls were hiding there.

[Courtenay]

Thanks, Pete. I can't get your link to work for some reason (may be slow internet at my end), but we had a later (probably 1970s) Ladybird edition of the same tale. I think the illustrations were a bit different and the language was probably simpler, as it was meant to be for the youngest readers, but it was very sweet and charming.

Ahh do you even have children if you don't start going on about trolls and trip-trap-tripping over MYYYYYY bridge every time you walk across a bridge?

Not that children are required for this sort of behaviour. But they're a good excuse

Exactly!!! We didn't have a suitable bridge for that near us, but there was a good one in the park across the road from my maternal grandmother's place in Melbourne, so whenever we visited and went for a walk there, we all had fun re-enacting the story. I (being the youngest) was Little Billy Goat Gruff, Mum was Middle-sized Billy Goat Gruff, Dad was Big Billy Goat Gruff, and my sister was the troll!!

[Boatbuilder]

Courtenay, the link might not show up anything on your screen as nothing appears to happen. However, if you check your 'downloads' folder you should see the PDF there.

[Katharine]

This wasn't a Ladybird book I owned as a child, but I was familiar with the tale.

I think small children love being able to join in with repetitive phrases, such as MYYYY Bridge.

[John Pickup]

A classic tale from my childhood although I never had the Ladybird book.

[dsr]

Ahh do you even have children if you don't start going on about trolls and trip-trap-tripping over MYYYYYY bridge every time you walk across a bridge?

Not that children are required for this sort of behaviour. But they're a good excuse

Sorry, I'm too busy playing poohsticks on my bridges. The trolls don't get much of a look-in.

There is a generation of children in a village called Hundborg in Denmark, who English skills were improved - or perhaps not - by listening to a recording of 8-year-old me reading the Three billy Goats Gruff. Possibly that exact edition. We had got to know the teacher, who asked us for English language recordings of stories suitable for the tiny tots to learn English speech and pronunciation.

[Fiona1986]

Obviously we trip-trap-trip across first, then return with our chosen sticks (or pine cones, leaves, whatever we can find)

Had to teach my partner pooh sticks as he was the sort of deprived child whose family never played it when he was young...

[Boodi 2]

I must have been another deprived child as I never heard of "The Three Billy-Goats Gruff" until I read about them here today (perhaps I was too addicted to Enid Blyton??). However, at least I was aware of Pooh sticks!

[Debbie]

Yes we trip trap over that bridge, and play Pooh sticks and whenever we walk in London Street (or any one with flagstone) remind each other to "watch our feet" because of the bears.
I will add my children roll their eyes at me now, but I know it's ever so 'portant how you walk.

[Fiona1986]

Step on a crack, break your mother's back...