The Three Cabritos

Title:  The Three Cabritos

Author: Eric A. Kimmel

Illustrator: Stephen Gilpin

Publisher: Marshal Cavendish Children

Genre: Folk Tales

Level: Primary

Number of Pages: 32

Pub. Date: 2007

Summary: This is a creative retelling of ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff.’ It’s a Mexican version  that is about three goats named Reynaldo, Orlando and Augustin. The loved to play music and heard there was a fiesta across the Rio Grande that they wanted to go play at. Their mother pleaded them not to go because she had heard that to get there you have to cross a bridge where a goat-sucking Chupacabra lives. They dismissed her warnings and went anyway. Reynaldo went first and tricked the Chupacabra by saying that his brother was coming next who was bigger and would be better to eat and by playing a little music for him. Orlando tricked him in the same way. When Augustin came to the bridge he tricked the beast by telling him that his accordion was magic and everyone had to dance while it was being played. The Chupacabra danced until he was so exhausted he deflated like a balloon and they were all able to pass and enjoy the fiesta without being eaten.

Critique: This story is a new and creative retelling of the folk tale “Three Billy Goats Gruff.” It is set in Mexico somewhere near the Rio Grande which makes the story seem timeless because of its indistinct location. The characters are goats, which is ironic because of the original story. This folk tale features succinct language, with repeated chants from the Chupacabra like, “Say your prayers. I’m going to eat you” along with a happy ending where the brains of Augustin winning out of the brawn of the huge Chupacabra.

Response: This was a very entertaining book that I really enjoyed. My favorite character was Augustin because he not only tricked the Chupacabra into letting him pass; he also defeated him so everyone could pass safely anytime they wanted. The ‘magic accordion’ trick was pretty clever and made me laugh:0. 

Assignment: 

This book would be a great option of the drama station in literacy workstations! 

Here's an example of how it could be set up: 

 

Of your class could even do a dramatization of The Three Cabritos like they did: