<< Back to previous page

"The Three Silly Billies" by Margie Palantini

Author:

Margie Palantini

Illustrator:

Barry Moser

Publisher:

Simon and Schuster, 2005

Reviewed by:

Nancy Hill, Milwaukee Public Schools

The popular Earthquack! author Margie Palantini and illustrator Barry Moser team-up once again in a new picture book. Lovers of fairy tales young and old will enjoy this new work. Our main characters, having packed for a lovely day at the beach, are delayed in route, upon arriving at a bridge with a very deep river running beneath it. The bridge they wish to pass requires a fee, but alas, the goats have no money! The fee in this case is “a buck” to pass over “Troll Toll”. Along the way, many favorite childhood characters and traditional tales are visited and reworked as the goats’ adventure unfolds. Frequent word plays and foolishness ensue, as the goats wait by wading in a pool, hoping to join a “car pool”. Taking a stroll in the woods with a family of bears, run-ins with Little Red Riding Hood and Jack with his beans are also amusingly featured. Eventually, the goats are able to pool money received from a variety of sources, and attempt to cross the Troll Toll. Finally on their way to the sun for some fun, one last obstacle is presented. The ending for the reader is a visual of a giant green torso, while reading “Fee, fi, fo, fum…”. The ending is left to be told, but is magnificently set up by both the illustrations and text provided.

Palantini’s verses are always fun to read and her integration of traditional tales is nicely told. Little feels forced and the interactions of the characters delivers a fun, lighthearted story. As always, Moser’s artwork is outstanding. The watercolor illustrations have an extraordinary feel about them, allowing the reader to see these characters as real. Although many ages will love this work, it is best suited for children who are well versed in the fairy tale genre. The story can be appreciated as is, but the humor found in the overlapping of characters is the true delight. Check this work out for sharing with students between K4 and 3rd grade. This book would be a natural for follow-up writing with older students, and a great read aloud with the young ones.