Children's Books2009 · 48 pp · Age 0 - 9
The Billy Goats Gruff at the Water Park
Bjørn F. Rørvik
The three Billy Goats Gruff are on their way to the meadow to eat the green grass. But along the road they find a new sign: Water Park – 200 meters. The Gruff brothers think this sounds tempting. And maybe they won't have to face the troll that is always waiting under the bridge to scare them every time they head for the hills.The water park is exciting, especially the long slide. But then the troll shows up …‘Fun reading for the whole family. It doesn’t get much better than this!’FORELDRE & BARN ‘In this staggeringly wise and amusing new version of an old tale, Bjørn F. Rørvik sets the story in the modern day, and has transformed the troll into an uncontrollable bully of the kind that all children are familiar with ... This has become a powerful, colourful and energetic book, and a very contemporary tale with its mix of fairy tale traditions and contemporary children’s culture.’ ADRESSEAVISEN ‘This new and different version of the Billy Goats Gruff is the best children’s book I’ve read in a long time. There’s a bit of everything: a large dose of humour, familiarity, fantastic illustrations, and text that is trendy and well suited both to many children’s daily life experiences and to the illustrations. It’s a perfect length for reading at bedtime, and even a little educational, too ... I’d recommend this to parents looking for something to read to their sweet young things, but also for older children up to around 8 years old. And adults, too! Wonderful stuff!’ GUDBRANDSDØLEN DAGNINGEN ‘The text is well composed, simple and accessible to readers. It will pose no problem to children to follow the story and dramatic composition. There is a wonderful fluency throughout the tale and the book is a very suitable length. Children who are young (and even a little older than that) will be captivated by the story and greatly enjoy this book! ... I give this book a little extra applause for its fantastic illustrations, which are incredibly charming.’ URIKS.NO
‘The Norwegian tale of the Billy Goats Gruff at the Water Park, with text by Bjørn Rørvik and illustrations by Gry Moursund, is among the best I’ve come across within the genre of children’s literature. What makes this book so unique is that it has succeeded in mimicking the naive. Rørvik’s narrative, which comes directly from the Billy Goats Gruff, is highly reminiscent of how children adapt fairy tales in their play. ... I maintain that this is a masterpiece. The book has been my faithful companion for several months and the majority of those who I have shared this with have been utterly enchanted.’BARNBOKSBILDENS VÄNNER, Sweden ‘... This alteration of a well-known fairy tale has become a hugely successful picture book, with a troll that simply has to be seen. Move over, Theodor Kittelsen! ... Moursund and Rørvik have hit upon a common wavelength in both the text and illustrations, where the same playful humour runs throughout ... The Billy Goats Gruff adventure at the water park proves to be perfect reading from the outset. Sometimes a book is based on such a good idea that you feel slightly envious that you didn’t come up with it yourself. This is one of those occasions.’BARNEBOKKRITIKK.NO"Ingeniously crazy! As a reader you will fall instantly for this book!" DIE ZEIT, Germany
