The Three Cabritos

by Eric A. Kimmel, Stephen Gilpin (Illustrator)

Once upon a time three cabritos (little goats) decide to go to a Mexican fiesta. But their mother is worried. She warns them about Chupacabra, the goat-sucker who lives beneath the bridge. And sure enough, as the goats cross the bridge, he jumps out! "Say your prayers. I’m going to eat you," he tells the goats. But they are clever. And they know how to play music—music that finally gets rid of that old goat-sucker forever! Pleasant illustrations rendered in pencil and digital techniques by Stephen Gilpin add to the story of the legendary creature, Chupacabra. An author’s note, glossary, and pronunciation guide are included.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Folk Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honesty is a good policy, right? I should be honest with you right from the start then. Ladies and gentlement, I feel no shame when I tell you that I worship at the hallowed shrine of Eric A. Kimmel. Oh, don't look at me like that. It's not such an unusual thing to say. Consider the following situation: You've a class of itchy, hot, sticky, whiny third graders who want to be anywhere but your Story Hour Room listening to picture books. You know and I know that they will like these books once they get into them, but for a group this finicky you're going to need some real show stoppers. Picture books that wow them right from the get-go and don't release their grip until the kids are on their way home. To whom do you turn in your hour of need? What name leaps immediately to your lips? Sweet Eric A. Kimmel, of course. You whip out your copy of Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, and voila. Instant happiness and calm. There's something about Mr. Kimmel that can turn folktales, both classic and original, into readaloud pleasures. Now he's set his sights on that old Billy Goats Gruff tale but with a South American twist. The result is "The Three Cabritos" and a nicer addition to my storytime revue I haven't seen in months.

So there are these three cabritos, yes? Musical boys that they are, Reynald is small and fast and plays the fiddle. Orlando is the middle child and he plays the guitar. And Augustin is their big friendly brother, and he's good with an accordion. Everything is all peachy keen until the three hear about a fantastic fiesta that's being held in Mexico. The brothers are gung ho to go, in spite of their mother's warning to beware of the big, scary, infinitely hungry Chupacabra that lives under the bridge of the Rio Grande. Being the fastest, Reynald meets the creature first, but persuades it to wait for his older brother, rather than eat him. Orlando does the same, and when Augustin arrives he proves to be more than a match for the dance prone bridge dweller. A quick Author's Note and Pronunciation Guide for Spanish terms round out the story.

Authors have a variety of choices when it comes to working a little Spanish into their titles. As I see it, you've one of two choices. You can pluck out little words here and there and translate them into Spanish (ala The Bossy Gallito/El Gallo de Bodas or Chato and the Party Animals). There's that. Or you can just translate the whole kerschmozzle on the opposite page of a story and go entirely bilingual. Kimmel opts for the former, which is fine. The world certainly needs more bilingual books, but at this point we will take what we can get. Speaking of choices, I wonder if Kimmel took into special consideration whether or not the three brothers would be escaping the Chupacabra to get from the U.S. into Mexico rather than going from Mexico to America. That would just lend all kinds of interesting layers if it was the other way around, don't you think? Treatises, college papers, and who knows what all could be written interpreting this little picture book and its take on the current border situation with our southern neighbors. For simplicity's sake, the book doesn't veer in that direction. Still, it would have been something to talk about otherwise, no?

With the possible exception of the unlikely appearance of a magical accordion (a detail that rankled just a tad), I'm a wholehearted promoter of this title. You may wish to think about pairing this book alongside fellow partially bilingual title Número Uno by Arthur Dorros. Or perhaps you want another story from the same folktale but with an entirely different look? Consider Three Cool Kids by Rebecca Emberley. As for this book, it features a mighty fine pairing of author and illustrator. A folktale deviation well worth investigation.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff is set in south Texas where the goats must cross the Rio Grande to get to a Mexican fiesta where they are to play music. The troll is cast as a chupacabra, a mysterious creature of Mexican legend that supposedly sucks the blood from goats and other farm animals. The traditional plot is followed with the youngest goat playing a fiddle and the middle goat playing his guitar to soothe the chupacabra as they make their escapes. The largest goat plays an enchanted accordion that forces the chupacabra to dance until he is so tired that he shrivels up. Seems appropriate, doesn't it? Accordion music often makes me want to shrivel up and blow away, too!

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great rendition of The Three Billy Goats gruff, in a Texas/Mexico location. The boys loved it.

[Alexandria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This fractured version of Three Billy Goats Gruff takes place somewhere in the southwest region of the United States. In this version the goats have actual names: Reynaldo (the smallest and youngest), Orlando (the middle one), and Augustin (the biggest and oldest). The brothers have their own band and decide that they want to go to a fiesta that is taking place in Mexico. Their mother warns them about the goat-sucker, the Chupacabra who lives under the bridge that they have to cross. The brothers tell her not to worry and head off on their journey. Naturally they encounter the Chupacabra and as in the original storyline they promise that the next brother is bigger and will make a better meal. The Chupacabra decides their fates depending on whether or not he likes what each brother plays for him on the instruments. Reynaldo and Orlando pass with no problem. Augustin encounters the Chupacabra and asks to play his accordion one last time because he knows the Chupacabra is going to eat him not matter what, the Chupacabra agrees. Augustin's accordion turns out to be a magical one that forces the hearer to keep dancing until Augustin stops playing. Augustin plays until the Chupacabra is no more and the three brothers head to Mexico where they play at the fiesta all night. They cross the bridge back home with no worries. This story provides an interesting twist to a classic story. The illustrations are bright and fun. The illustration of the Chupacabra is definitely something to smile about.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful retelling of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Kimmel gives the tale a Texas twist by replacing the ogre undet the bridge with a chupacara, a mythical creature sometimes sited in the Southwest. The story is pretty straitforward except that the goats are musicians and it is a magical instrument that causes the monster's undoing. Stephen Gilpin's illustrations are funny and colorful. I would recommend forany youngster. Teachers may want to pair this story with any one of a number of Billy Goat Gruff versions that are available.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute take on the Three Billy Goats Gruff. I think this is one that's better read aloud and by someone who can do the Spanish accent justice.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seemed grimmer to me as an adult, but it did not disturb my boys. My favorite part of this story is that the goats triumphed using music!

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Western take on a classic fairy-tale.

[Jenny Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous retelling of the three billy goats gruff. As with most things in life, it's best with an accent.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative take on the original tale, with wonderful illustrations and snappy dialogue. And how could I not love a story where music is the magic that defeats evil once and for all! Love!

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chupacabra has met his match... with music and wiley cabritos!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than average folktale redux; the chupacabra was not too scary for little ones; enjoyable to read aloud.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is fun and so are the Stephen Gilpin illustrations.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the "Three Billy Goats Gruff" story with a Hispanic theme and music.

[Manor Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us know the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. What would you do if you made it a Spanish version? You would need Cabritos, a Spanish word for young kid, instead of Billy Goats. What about a Chupacabra, a Latin American word for "goat sucker," instead of a troll? If you loved The Three Billy Goats, and you love fractured fairy tales, then you will love The Three Cabritos!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los Tres Cabritos is a wonderful version of the Three Billy Goats Gruff told in a Spanish version on the shore of the Rio Grande. Three goat brothers who are musicians learn of a Mexican fiesta where they can play, sing, dance and eat great food. They are all for it but grandma said the Chupcacabra, a goat eating monster guards a bridge the brothers have to cross. She warns against them attending the fiesta. Of course they approach the bridge one at a time telling the chupacabra that the next brother is bigger and tastier. Really fun book in Spanish for children. I am not fluent in Spanish and it was a great way to practice my reading comprehension. I really only had to look up a few words at the end of the story to comprehend what happened to the chupacabra. The illustrations provide great picture support and the story is quite fun. Great for children and adults alike!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Topic: Folklore (re-telling)
Theme: Family
Activity: Preschool to first grade level: After the telling of the original version of story the “Three Billy Goats Gruff” I would read this second version, and then we would discuss the similarities and differences in the stories. Next, I would have the children make paper goat puppets and use them to tell “Three Billy Goat Gruff Rhyme.” For children who finish quickly they can work on the bridge maze and color the sheet until everyone is ready.
If time or at the next class meeting I would read a third version and the children would discuss the similarities and differences in the stories.
For older students I would challenge them to write their own version and share them with the class.

[Emilia P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I *LOVE* the 3 Billy Goats Gruff. It is one of my favorite tales to tell and to re-enact, everytime I see a bridge. This one has a Tex-Mex twist, with three musically talented goats taking on a Chupacabra rather than a troll. It's fun, it has that musical blend of Spanish words that give it a little kick (which seems like sort of a Texas thing). I almost feel like for a read aloud, you'd want to incorporate Mexican music or some silly dancing into the experience. The illustrations are not the very best - flat in a computerized sort of way, but the story is fun, and made me want to do some crazy dancing myself. Pretty good.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Texas/Mexico retelling of the Billy Goats Gruff Story. I really don't like it when people try to reinvent the wheel. Unless they can improve upon the story, why retell it? I guess it does give some exposure to Spanish words and perhaps a Hispanic flare is fun. I gave it good rating because the story was good, (I have just heard it before) and the pictures were nice. The book was perfectly fine. (Ouch no one wants their book to be perfectly fine)

[Julee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Kimmel is the King of fractured fairy tales with a Texas twist. Helen Ketteman is the queen. the Three Cabritos is a favorite as my students frequently talk about chupacabras. It is a fresh, fun twist on the Three Billy Goats Gruff story. Instead of a troll, el Chupacabra is the creature beneath the bridge and the billy brothers all play musical instruments to pay their toll across the bridge to Mexico.

[Mommywest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a clever re-telling of the classic "The Three Billy Goats Gruff"! The Three Cabritos (cabritos means goats) takes place near the Rio Grande, which the three cabritos want to cross to get to a Mexican fiesta in Mexico. Their mother warns them about Chupacabra, the monster who lives under the bridge, but the cabritos figure out a very clever way to outsmart that Chupacabra! You'll love this clever Mexican-style tale!

[Kathleen H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I haven't gotten a chance to read this yet...but I want to!! It was book-talked at a book exchange at my work, and, oh y'all! It's the three billy goats gruff (the three cabritos), but instead of a troll under the bridge, guess what it is?
.....
Chupacabra!

Oh it's great! It's got excellent illustrations, clean straightforward text... a real gem!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and compared it with the Three Billy Goats Gruff, this is not just a folktale but a great read- aloud. The students love it when you change your face and have tons of excitement. This book is great to do a Venn Diagram with the Three Billy Goats Gruff and a great way to get culture into a lesson!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children really enjoyed the Spanish words mixed in to this original Texan retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. I enjoy Kimmel's retellings and the southwestern flavor he includes. We also enjoyed that these cabritos use music to overcome the Chupacabra. (Besides, Chupacabra is soo fun to say!). The illustrations are great as well. And since I love retellings, this was a hit.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retells, with a southwestern United States setting, the traditional tale about three billy goat brothers who trick a beast that lives under the bridge.

Includes a Spanish-English glossary and pronunciation guide. ;-)

www.hcpl.net

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for fall tale to tell and while I was paging through it I came upon the word and picture--chupacabra.

It's a Texan twist on the three little goats. Instead of a troll, it is a chupacabra.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books to read aloud at story time. If you like to put on some funny voices when you read a story to your children, you will love this book, and they'll ask you to read it over and over. This is one of the best fractured folk tales out there.

[KATY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. It's a version of the three billy goats gruff where they try to cross the bridge to Mexico. Well, you should just read it for yourself - good stuff.

[Karl]

I really like the artwork, and everyone liked being the Chupacabra and dancing.

[Cora & Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this book!! We even gave it to our Mom who loves it too! Super cute retelling of the three billy goats gruff. The artwork is so good.