Pleeeease…. Can we read Three Billy Goats Gruff?

That’s not my daughters talking: It’s me.

I just love this “flip-up-the-flap book” about the three billy goats who outwit a mean and ugly troll. Alison Edgson, who wrote and illustrated this latest incarnation of the fairy tale, you are a genius.

In case you haven’t heard, this is Children’s Book Week, an annual celebration of reading sponsored by the Children’s Book Council (CBC) and the CBC Foundation.

My 6-year-old is tired of “Billy Goats” -- and her father’s valiant attempts at imitating the voices of the three -- can’t use the word “goats” again, too boring -- “hollow-horned ruminant mammals” (thank you, Merriam Webster). But my 3-year-old still requests it.

What other books do parents like to read -- or, at least, this parent? I love "How I Became a Pirate" by David Shannon, though his more basic "No, David" was the award winner. And one of my all time favorite is: "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes. (He also wrote two books about a character named Lily --- "Lily’s Big Day" and "Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse," which feature what I consider to be the quintessential, highly qualified elementary school teacher. Unfortunately he’s, well, a mouse, and thus can’t be entirely emulated -- or hired.

Happy Reading!

Lawrence Hardy, Senior Editor