The Little Blue Bridge

Ruby's Ideas

by Brenda Maier, Sonia Sanchez (Illustrator)

The can-do heroine from the acclaimed The Little Red Fort returns in this fresh, feminist spin on The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Ruby's mind is always full of ideas.

One day, she spies some blueberries across the creek and invites her brothers to pick some. Unfortunately, the bridge is blocked by scary Santiago.

"I'm the boss, and you can't cross... unless you give me a snack," he demands.

One by one, the brothers scamper across, promising Santiago that the next sibling has a better snack. When at last it's Ruby's turn, she refuses to be bullied and creates her own way to cross the creek.

This modern spin on a classic tale weaves folklore, feminism, STEM, and a Latinx cast into a delightful read-aloud that celebrates creativity and building bridges of friendship and community.

Genres: Picture Books, Stem, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Humor, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any reader who enjoyed The Little Red Fort featuring the irrepressible Ruby will enjoy this take-off on the classic The Three Billy Goats Gruff while applauding her ingenuity. After all, there are many ways to deal with a bully. When Ruby suggests that her family cross the creek via a small bridge to pick some blueberries, the boys are eager to do but quick to leave her behind. But they still must deal with Santiago, a bully who insists on a snack before allowing anyone to cross on that bridge. Each brother puts off Santiago, suggesting that he obtain a snack from the next passerby. When Ruby arrives and has nothing to give him, she simply gathers up materials to make her own bridge with Santiago eventually joining her. When her brothers arrive at the bridge, she brokers a deal with them to let them use it if they bake a blueberry pie. Good for Ruby for standing her ground and not letting anyone marginalize her. The illustrations, created with charcoal pencil, pen, gouache, and traditional and digital techniques, are filled with interesting colors and textures, and the story itself challenges gender norms and expectations.

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun new version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, with a spunky little sister who saves the day (plus information about different types of bridges in the back matter)!

[Melisa Sevall]

Ruby stands up to a bully. SEL connections (problem solving, kindness and generosity). Also includes some subtle rhyming.

[Brenda Kahn]

Ruby, the kick-butt STEM hero from Little Red Fort is back. This time she spies blueberries ripe for the picking. Her brothers head off with pails intending on excluding her. They contend with a bully who guards a log bridge over the stream. This retelling of The Three Billy Goats gruff charms. Terrific addition to any library collection.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to love here!!!

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ruby wants to cross the stream to get blueberries to make a pie, she and her friends must make it past Santiago who guards the bridge and demands a snack to pass. Ruby's companions pass by without payting the "toll" by promising the next child will have a better snack. Since Ruby is last and dosen't have one, she must find another way to cross. Can Ruby outsmart Santiago and can her solution make it better for all?

This clever modern adaptation of the traditional folk tale of the Three Billy Goats Gruff will delight picture book readers and listners of all ages. The oversize mixed media illustrations are a feast for the eyes and will make reading this in a group or class setting easier as all will be able to see the details. The text is snappy and just as clever as the tale it is based upon. Small children will delight in Ruby, the smallest, being the problem solver.

This is the second folk tale adaptation featuring Ruby and hopefully there will be more. Supporting material included in the book will help extend the story. It includes a STEM related page on the types of bridges and also a page on the history of the folk tale and recommneded reading for picture books to share which include the traditional tale and some adaptations. This would make a great addition to folk and fairy tale curriclum and story time reading.

I would highly recommend this book for purchase by school and public libraries.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an ARC provided by the publisher.

In Maier's follow-up to The Little Red Fort (Scholastic, c2018), Ruby returns as the spunky sister who has all the answers.

When Oscar Lee, Rodrigo, and Jose head out to pick blueberries for a pie, Ruby tags along. Each boy faces bully Santiago on a bridge at the creek; they talk him into letting them pass by. When Ruby arrives at the bridge and is stopped by Santiago, she uses her smarts to work with him to build a better bridge and they pick blueberries together. Oscar Lee, Rodrigo, and Jose are in for a surprise when they try to return home!

Maier's adaptation of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" gives this story a contemporary feel, mixing in elements of teamwork and kindness in the story. Repetition and rhyme included in the text will make this an easy one to read aloud to a group; they will join in on repeating lines. Backmatter includes a page with illustrations of four different types of bridges and an Author's Note.

Sonia Sánchez's artwork has a "European feel" to them, however with diversity represented within this group. The art was rendered using recycled paper, charcoal pencil, pen, gouache, and a combination of traditional and digital brushes. They are messy in the best sort of way - just like the kids in the story.

Perfect for a fractured fairy tale unit or one on bullying, working together, or friendship.

Recommended for PreSchool - grade 2.

[Smichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby from The Little Red Fort returns with more great ideas. In an updated version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Santiago refuses to let Ruby and her three brothers cross the bridge, so Ruby uses imagination and skill to build a new and better bridge. Repetition, rhythm, and rhyme invite engagement and Santiago’s irresistible chant boosts participation, “I’m the boss and you can’t cross…unless you give me a snack.” The simple illustrations with charcoal pencil, pen, and gouache foreground the energy and motion of children climbing, sliding, squatting, and of course, “trip-trapping” across a flowing creek. At the end of the story, Lily makes a new friend, her brothers learn how to bake, Santiago gets a blueberry pie, and everyone is welcome to cross over Ruby’s bridge. Win! Win! Win! The backmatter contains information about the original folktale as well as illustrations of different types of bridges. This book has all the tools you need to create an exceptional read-aloud experience.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Little Red Fort, and The Little Blue Bridge bowled me over again. Ruby is a can-do, no-nonsense heroine, and when her brothers leave her behind so they can pick blueberries, she is undeterred. Her brothers sell her out to the bully at the bridge, but Ruby just casually makes her own d*** bridge and even gets the bully to work on it with her. I want to be Ruby when I grow up.

A fine take on The Three Billy Goats Gruff, with additional versions recommended in the author's note, alongside diagrams of some basic bridges.

*Reviewed from an Uncorrected Proof.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and her brothers are back! This time her brothers say she is too little to cross the creek to go with them to pick berries. Then, one by one the boys encounter Santiago who won't let them cross the bridge to get across the creek. Inspired by The Three Billy Goat Gruff, this is an entertaining Girl Power / Cooperation story that celebrates ingenuity and problem solving. Ruby is a wonderful character and this is a terrific followup to The Little Red Fort.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale, Three Billy Goats Gruff. Latinx characters, including smart, problem solving, Ruby are drawn to scrumptious blueberries growing across the river. Ruby engineers a way to outsmart the bully that stands between those blueberries and her family. Bright child-like illustrations compliment the text beautifully. There are notes on bridge types and author's notes about the story as well.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maier crafts a delightfully diverse retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff that centers an architecturally inclined girl. Caregivers will likely be charmed by the resolution which features the troll/bully helping the girl with her bridge, recognizing her authority, and joining all of the children in play.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun twist on The Three Billy Goats Gruff featuring feisty little girl who out-thinks and out-builds the bully. Girl Power to the rescue! Colorful illustrations by Sonia Sanchez add to the charm.

Back matter includes sketches of different types of bridges and additional information the classic Norwegian tale, The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

A charming addition.

[Lisa Huninghake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby is back (The Little Red Fort) with a fresh look at “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”. The perfect new twist to an old tale, featuring a little girl who will always find a way and NEVER takes any guff from anyone . . . Even if they are “gruff”!!!!
Brenda Maier also includes some back info on cool bridges and other takes on this tale.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won an arc of this book in a giveaway.

This is a darling retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. If you liked The Little Red Fort, you'll like this one, too!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff with three boys wanting to cross the river to pick blueberries but a bully won't let them cross. But little sister takes matters into her hands and finds a way across to the blueberries and appeases the bully. Some STEM ideas, some rhyme, and fun names for characters.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children will love chanting "I'm the boss, and you can't cross... unless you give me a snack!" along with the reader. Yes, the Three Billy Goats were an inspiration and reading both together could be a great time.

[Great Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewer #4
Based on the Norwegian folktale you know as "The Three Billy Goats Gruff."
Main character is Ruby who is a fantastic heroine who refuses to be bullied. A story to teach resourcefulness, grit, and determination.

[Lisa Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of the way the text was created over the pages. Sometimes it was difficult for me to read. Otherwise, the story sent a great message. If we all work together, we can accomplish much more in life.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby is back in a blue toned take on The 3 Billy Goats Gruff. When the neighborhood bully won’t let her cross the log bridge, she builds her own! A fun book to add to makerspaces, bridge types in the back. Love author note with origins of the folktale!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sequel to the little red fort book, Ruby is thrust into a retelling of the 3 bully goats gruff. Instead of the troll under the bridge, there is a bully who refuses to let Ruby and her brothers through to the other side to pick blueberries for a pie. Fortunately, Ruby loves to build things.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a cute take on The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The bully becomes a friend as soon as he is challenged and the little sister is finally given the credit she deserves. :)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, modern retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three Billy Goats Gruff maker

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Cute version of billy goats gruff! Beautifully illustrated!

[Beth P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to purchasing this book and reading it aloud to students. This has got to be my favorite take on The Three Billy Goats Gruff!

[Valerie Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful second story with the resourceful Ruby! Love the expressive illustrations by Sonia Sanchez.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adaptation of The Three Billy Goats Gruff featuring three brothers, their little sister, and the neighborhood bully. And then the sister has an ingenious way to "fix" the problem!

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about a girl building bridges of wood and friendship. A great new twist on the "Three Billy Goats Gruff"!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff with a STEM emphasis.