Plot Summary
Once upon a time, there were three musical cabritos (young goats) who wanted to go to a fiesta (party) just across the border in Mexico. In order to get there, however, they had to cross a bridge that was guarded by the dreaded Chupacabra ("goat-sucker", a vampire monster). The three strapping young goats were not afraid of Chupacabra...that is until he jumped out and threatened to eat them one by one! The first cabrito was very small and persuaded the monster to wait for his brother, because he was bigger and would make a better meal! The second brother, although threatened by the goat-sucker, also gained safe passage with the promise of eating his much bigger brother, who was trailing just behind him. When the third, very big and strong, goat was warned by the fierce Chupacabra that he was about to be eaten, the cabrito quickly surrendered! All he asked was that he be allowed to play one last song on his accordion before the monster consumed him for dinner. A prelude of music and dancing before dinner, "What could be better?", thought the goat-sucker. As the young goat played his accordion, the monster danced and twirled, swung and swayed, and tapped and clapped. Soon, however, Chupacabra grew weary and begged the young goat to stop. Although he moaned, groaned, bargained, and cried, the music never ceased until the monster danced himself to death! All three cabritos made it safely across the bridge and played all night at the fiesta. Chupacabra was never heard of again...or so they say.
Critical Analysis
The Three Cabritos is an adaptation of the Norwegian folktale The Three Billy Goats Gruff with a southwestern flare and sprinkling of Hispanic culture. Eric A. Kimmel mixes Spanish words and phrases into the story such as "buenos días", "cabrito", "fiesta", "gracias", and "señor". A glossary and pronunciation guide is located in the back of the book to help young readers master any unfamiliar words. The sentences spoken by the characters are short and choppy. The book almost begs to be read with a Spanish accent. Kimmel's words alone allow the reader to visualize the fate of the monster as he "shriveled like a punctured balloon" and became "as dry and brittle as a dead cactus."
Stephen Gilpin uses pencil drawings which he slathers in pastels using Photoshop. His technique creates an eye-popping array of colors and action. The drawings are a bit simplistic, emphasizing the fact that less can certainly be more. The body language of the cabritos easily convey the sheer terror and fright of the first two goats as well as exude the confident strength of their big brother. Chupacabra looks as if he is about to dance off the page as his feet swirl ferociously in six different directions while performing his fatal dance.
Review Excerpts
"Gilpin stands the goats on hind legs, gives them overalls, band instruments and big horsey grins and pits them against a spiny blue monster that resembles a cross between Yoda and a whale-sized flea. Ultimately, the dancing Chupacabra collapses and deflates in exhaustion. Any political implications in this fresh, original take on the familiar tale are (surely) inadvertent, and would go over the heads of younger readers anyway. " Kirkus Reviews -- 2/15/07
"Kimmel builds to this humorous climax throughout the tale. The light tone is matched by Gilpin's glossy, pastel-hued cartoons. The protagonists are depicted with comically exaggerated features. Unlike the vampire-esque creature of modern urban legend, Chupacabra is shown as a not-too-frightening sky-blue blob. Match this fun variant with other versions of the original, e.g., Paul Galdone's classic (Clarion, 1981); stories set in the Southwest, such as Helen Ketteman's Armadilly Chili (Albert Whitman, 2004); or tales about the power of magic and music, like Pete Seeger's Abiyoyo (S & S, 1994)." Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal
Other Books by Eric A. Kimmel
Hannukah Bear
Bearhead: A Russian Folktale
The Spider's Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story
Visit his website for more information: http://ericakimmel.com/
Other Books Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
Pirates, Ho!
The Hero Revealed
Sneezy the Snowman
Visit his website for more information: http://sgilpin.com/
Book Connections
The Three Silly Billies by Margie Palatini and Barry Moser (Ill.)
Three Cool Kids by Rebecca Emberley
The Three Billy Goats Gruff retold by Stephen Carpenter
Connection Activities
- Divide the students into groups of three or four and give each one a different country (e.g. China, Africa, Germany, etc.). Ask them to decide what the "kids" from their country would use to defeat the monster guarding the bridge.
- Invite a mariachi band to come play for the class (or watch one on tv) and have a fiesta! If possible, have items like sombreros, tamboritas, piñatas, and maracas to showcase the Hispanic culture.
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