Goldie and the Three Bears [Hardcover]

Diane Stanley (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

In this spirited new version of "Goldilocks," we meet a determined heroine with a mind of her own. Goldie knows exactly what she likes -- and what she doesn't. Can she help it if everyone she invites over is too bossy or too boring or too snobby or too rough? What she desperately wants is a friend who is just right -- someone she can love with all her heart. Then one day, Goldie gets off the bus at the wrong stop, walks to a nearby cottage to find help, and opens the door. . .

Diane Stanley, author and illustrator of Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter, once againtakes an old tale and gives it a fresh spin that is funny as well as perceptive. Readers will love accompanying Goldie on her up-to-date adventure and discovering the clever, heartwarming surprise at its end.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-One of Goldilocks's qualities-her desire to have things "just right"-is extended into a charming story. "It was hard work finding the perfect hat, a really comfortable sweater, or shoes that didn't pinch her toes. But it was worth the effort, because when Goldie loved something, she loved it with all her heart." What's missing in her life is just the right friend. One day, she gets off the bus at the wrong stop and wanders into a little brick house at the end of a winding path. What she finds there will bring a smile to every child who is looking for a friend who's "not too bossy," "Not too boring," and "Not too snobby or silly or rough." The writing is smooth, concise, and rhythmic. The author's voice peeks through now and then, adding an understated humor that kids will love. "When she had finished the book, Goldie peeked into the next room. It will not surprise you to learn that she found three beds in there." And the pictures are marvelous, with fine lines; soft, glowing colors; and winsome, telling details. Many contemporary retellings of familiar fairy tales are successful in a clever way, but this goes beyond clever to also have real substance. A 24-carat selection for many children, especially those who like things just so.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Jim Aylesworth's Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

PreS-Gr. 1. Is there room for two more versions of Goldilocks? Yes, if it's space for these two. Although as different from each other as peas and pies, both are delightful and will attract their own audience, with some children preferring the traditional story and others gravitating to the fresh and funny version. Although Aylesworth follows the standard telling, he adds decorative touches in the text. McClintock's art is also traditional. Executed in watercolor, sepia ink, and gouache, her pictures have a nodding acquaintance with Tenniel's artwork for Alice, but the Victorian sensibility is interrupted here and there with some humorous details, particularly the expressions on Goldilock's face. Stanley's Goldie is a modern-day kid. She has definite likes and dislikes about food, clothes, and even friends: Jenny is too boring; Alicia is too snobby. One day, Goldie gets off the school bus at the wrong stop and wanders into a strange house. Children may think they know the rest, but in the end, the little bear girl turns out to be just the friend Goldie has been looking for. Stanley's art, so sophisticated in her biographies, is delightfully childlike here, with lots of fun in every scene. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060000082
• ISBN-13: 978-0060000080
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,364,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diane Stanley is the author and illustrator of more than fifty books for children, noted especially for her series of picture book biographies. SHAKA: KING OF THE ZULUS was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; LEONARDO DA VINCI received the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction from the National Council for Teachers of English. Ten of her books have been honored as "Notable Books" by the American Library Association and she has twice received both the Boston Globe/Hornbook Award and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Golden Kite Award. She is the recipient of the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Nonfiction for the body of her work.

She lives in Santa Fe, NM. Visit her website at dianestanley.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Bear to Cross, September 3, 2006

By 

My Uncle Stu (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Goldie and the Three Bears (Hardcover)

I like this. A modern, suburban twist on the old Three Bears fairy tale. Now, in sync with the Zeitgeist, the character herself is never really in any danger. It's a painless cute story for the kids. But her parents worry if she'll socialize right. You see, this Goldie is what we call a "willful" child, she "knew exactly what she liked- and what she didn't." Her parents worried about her making friends. They tried to encourage her to make play-dates, but "Jenny was too boring, Penny was too rough, Alicia was too snobby, and Sylvia wouldn't come." She explains to her parents that she is not looking for perfection, "She just wanted someone she could love with all her heart." But, at least, she does love her teddy bear.

When she gets lost and wanders into the three little bear's house, and the story follows the original, with Goldie sampling food, trying out every chair, and eventually settling in for a siesta in the little bear's bed. The books only moment of potential tension, when she's discovered and the little bear lunges in for the kill (no teeth, looks more cross than carnivorous), is affably fleeting, over before you know it. Turn the page, and you see that the little bear lands on the bed in front of Goldie, sending her flying in the air. When Goldie lands, the little bear bounces up, and- you guessed it- the two begin trampolining back and forth and having a phenomenal time. Just 3 pages after the books only touch of terror, and Goldie is seen calling her mother from the three bear's kitchen, looking lovingly into the eyes of her new best friend as the Momma bear, wearing a salmon dress and a string of pearls, looks down with affection. My favorite line in the book: "The bears were very understanding about the sandwiches and the chairs and everything." And, as you have already deduced, the little bear turns out to be the friend worth waiting for, the friend worthy of Goldie's discerning taste.

The illustrations are nice. Perhaps a little more Anglo-Saxon staleness in the neatness of the pictures than I like, but nothing to really complain about. There are some nice little details, like the parallel between Goldie's stuffed bear and the Little Bear's lovie, a stuffed human, and a blond Caucasoid at that. Thumbs up, worthy of a read and re-read or two.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Toddler Approved!, March 8, 2006

By 

M. Kleinberg "Busy Mom" (Jasper, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Goldie and the Three Bears (Hardcover)

My two year old daughter LOVES this book! I checked it out from the library and it was a sad day when we had to return it. The story is so sweet. Much more friendly than the original. It has a wonderful ending. I highly recommend this to all parents of little ones.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great "new" version of the Three Bears, September 30, 2005

By 

Laura "SLP" (Albuquerque NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goldie and the Three Bears (Hardcover)

I love this book, where we are allowed to sympathize with Goldie, who simply got off at the wrong bus stop, was hungry for her usual afternoon snack, and fell asleep for her usual afternoon nap. Contrasting this story with the traditional story is an excellent language-enrichment activity for children.