Welcome to Trip-Trap Hollow
Welcome to Trip-Trap Hollow, where familiar stories may not be quite what they seem! Meet Annie, Thomas, and Veronica Bramble, three goats who discover that the troll under the bridge has a story of his own. Through laughter, misunderstandings, and a little kindness, children discover that sometimes it is important to look beyond first impressions and take the time to learn the whole story.
Bringing Trip Trap Hollow to Life?
Start with the Reader Guide!
Everything you need to move from the classic tale to dramatic play, the Trip Trap Hollow adventure, Head–Heart–Hands conversations, and hands-on activities—all in one printable guide.
Get Ready for the Adventure
Before stepping into Trip-Trap Hollow, introduce children to the traditional story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Invite them to act out the familiar tale using goat and troll puppets. Then transform your space into Trip-Trap Hollow, where children can put on goat horns, trip-trap across the bridge, and discover that there may be more to the troll’s story than they thought!
Live the Story
Before you begin reading, invite the children into Trip-Trap Hollow with a hands-on experience that sets the stage for the story.
Become a Trip-Trap Hollow Goat
Before the story begins, invite each child to make a goat headband with horns and ears. Print the goat horns and ears template, then cut a strip of grey or brown construction paper to fit around each child's head and attach the goat horns and ears to the band. Once everyone has their goat horns and ears on, they're ready to step into Trip-Trap Hollow!
Become Timmer the Troll
The reader gets to join the adventure, too! Put on a pair of troll ears and some wild rainbow hair to become Timmer the Troll. Don’t put on glasses yet—Timmer can’t see very well when the story begins. Once the children have their goat horns and ears on and the reader has become Timmer, everyone is ready to enter Trip-Trap Hollow!
Enter Trip-Trap Hollow
Before the story begins, the children put on their goat headbands and gather outside the reading area. Timmer the Troll is waiting to welcome them to Trip-Trap Hollow! One at a time, each little goat enters by crossing a larger bridge you create from bulletin board paper. Timmer greets each child by saying, “Welcome to my side of the story!” Each child then takes a place in the reading circle. Once everyone has arrived in Trip-Trap Hollow, Timmer settles in with the children and the story begins.
While You Read
Keep the story moving and let the children enjoy the adventure! Pause only at a few natural moments to help them notice clues, make predictions, and wonder why Timmer might be acting the way he does. Encourage children to think about what they know—and what they may not know yet.
Look for Clues
As you read, encourage the children to watch and listen for clues that Timmer may not be the troll they expected. Don't give away the answer—let them discover Timmer's side of the story for themselves.
• Timmer stays under the bridge — Why doesn't he come out?
• He says, “I’m coming to get you.” — Could he mean something different from what the goats think?
• He turns toward Veronica’s voice but looks the wrong way — What is Veronica beginning to notice?
• The Brussels sprouts near the bridge — Why might Timmer have been eating those awful things?
After the Story
The story may be over, but the adventure isn't! Take a few minutes to help children think about what they learned, how the story made them feel, and what they can do with what they discovered.
🧠 Head — What Did We Discover?
- What clues helped us realize Timmer might not be a mean troll?
- Why did Timmer stay under the bridge?
- Why did Timmer keep saying, "I'm coming to get you?"
- What did Veronica discover when she took the time to learn more about Timmer?
❤️ Heart — What Did We Feel?
- How do you think Timmer felt when everyone kept running away from him?
- How do you think Timmer felt when Veronica said, "Come along, I'd like to meet you"?
- How did you feel about Timmer at the beginning of the story? Did your feelings change?
- How does it feel when someone takes the time to understand you?
🙌 Hands — What Can We Do?
- What can we do before deciding that someone is mean or unfriendly?
- How can we help someone who is having trouble?
- What could we say if we need help?
- What is one kind thing you could do for someone who seems left out or misunderstood?
Keep the Magic Going
The story may be finished, but the magic isn't! Keep exploring, thinking, creating, and discovering with these free Storyland Magic activities.
Story Sequencing — What Happened First?
Cut out the story pictures, put them in the order they happened, and use them to retell the story of the Three Goats Bramble and Timmer.
❤️Walk in Timmer's World
Think about how Timmer felt during the story. What changed when everyone finally learned the truth?
🕵️Build a Better World!
Become a Secret Kindness Agent! Your mission is to secretly do something kind for someone—but don’t get caught! After your mission is complete, draw a picture of what you did and give your Secret Agent Report to your teacher.
🎒 Take the Magic Home
The story doesn't have to end when children leave the classroom! Send a little Storyland Magic home and invite families to continue the conversation together.
Print the Family Note