Customer Reviews

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Picture Puffin Books)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Putting a modern, humorous spin on a well-known tale of misbehavior, James Marshall brings new energy to the story of Goldilocks. Although devoid of the moral asides of the original tale, Marshall makes it clear to the audience that they should not follow Goldilock's example. He definitively explains, "Goldilocks was one of those naughty girls who do exactly as they please." Implicitly, his in-depth illustrations expand this characterization. With a smirk of mischief on her face, Goldilocks romps through the bears' house ill-mannerly licking a bowl and putting her feet on a chair. The detailed, colorful illustrations allow readers to step into the bears' home almost as intrusively as Goldilocks has. The reader can see that a postcard from Santa Cruz rests on the mantel and that Papa Bear wears bunny slippers, contributing to this modern version of the story. Upon returning to their invaded home, the bears each respond to Goldilocks' intrusion. "'Somebody has been sitting in my chair!' said Papa Bear. 'Somebody has been sitting in my chair!' said Mama Bear. 'Somebody has been sitting in my chair' said Baby Bear." This use of repetition, common to most versions of the tale, is appealing to listening ears and a welcome sight to struggling readers. In Marshall's adaptation, Baby Bear adds that his chair has been "broken to smithereens". This exemplifies the humorous touches that make the language vivid and fresh for readers (and listeners) of all ages.

The only qualities shared by James Marshall's Goldilocks and that other famous eating-stting-and-sleeping girl are their hair color and a very low tolerance for porridges, chairs, and beds that aren't just right. This Goldilocks is...well...a brat, "one of those naughty little girls who do exactly what they please.
Ignoring her mother's directive, as well as several "Roadrunner"-like signs ("Turn Back," "Go The Other Way," "Not a Good Idea), she takes the forbidden shortcut and happens upon the house of Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear.

Marshall's revives this old chestnut with his prank-loving, slightly mean-spirited heroine. Aside from disobeying her mother, she seems gluttonous, spoiled, and not overly bright. ALthough pictures of bears hang all over the walls, and she notices "a lot of coarse brown fur," all she can think is "They must have kitties." She devours baby Bear's porridge, breaks the chair, and has the nerve to crawl into Papa's bed after finding the other two unsuitable. Her rationale is the repeated "I don't mind if I do."

The animals' language accounts for much of the humor. The chair is not just broken--it's broken to "smithereens!" Papa Bear cries "Patooie!" after scalding his tongue, and when Baby Bear gets similarly dramatic, Mama Bear, who represents the happy medium both in size and disposition, admonishes them "Now really, that's quite enough." While the Bears are pleasant and dressed in Easter-best clothes, Papa Bear is clearly "not amused" when he sees his rumpled bed. And what does Papa Bear do when he catches Goldilocks in bed, her teetch clutching a blue blanket? Marshall combines a mild message--like that uttered by some proper English landowner--with an animal delivery: "Now see here!" roared Papa Bear."

The bright ink and watercolor illustrations lend humor and flesh out the story. Emotions are exaggerated as in a silent movie: GOldilocks sticks out her tongue, fkashes us a sneaky look, and, for contrast, pauses thoughtfully with her thin straight mouth as she considers her choices. THe book won a Caldecott honor. Although we can be fairly certain that Goldilocks won't be "visiting" the bears again, you and your young audience will return to Marshall's "Goldilocks" whenever a slightly subversive and slyly humour tale would be just right.

Whoever knew a day would come when Goldilocks', sweet little Goldilocks' squeaky clean image would be finally tarnished. I mean this chick stole and tresspassed and no one ever said a word. But in this James Marshall retelling, Goldilocks is potrayed as, well-a brat. When a new lady moves into town, she comments to a man about how sweet the little girl looks. He replies with, "That's what YOU think."

One morning our antagonist is asked by her mother to go buy some muffins in the next village, making Goldilocks promise not to take a shortcut, due to bears. But since the story is called "and the Three Bears," we know Goldilocks takes the shortcut. Meanwhile, the three bears are sitting down for breakfast-porridge, of course. But the porridge is too hot, so they go off on their three-seat bicycle. Minutes later Goldilocks finds herself at the bear's house, and the famed porridge tasting/bed sampling episode begins. I'm sure you know what happens afterwards(The bears come home, and so on...)

James Marshall(of the George and Martha books) has crafted a fresh new take on a famous fairy tale and succeded, with a Caldecott Honor Medal to boot.

As always, R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer.

We are fans of James Marshalls' snarky style, so are pleased to own this book now. I'd suggest borrowing it from the library first if you're new to James Marshall.

Our other favorite "Goldilocks" is the Jan Brett version, of an innocent and trusting Goldilocks, all unsuspecting of the danger she was in.

James Marshall goes the other way, creating a naughty Goldilocks who pretty much deserves to be eaten by bears (but she does not get eaten). She ignores warnings and barges right into the bears' house. Love the illustrations -- especially the bears on a bicycle. Another excellent touch is all the books in the bears' house -- these bears are big readers! (Check out the Texas flags and maps, too -- those are fun to hunt for.)

So, while the WORDS of this "Goldilocks" are almost exectly the standard retelling, the illustrations make it a marvellous original story.

James Marshall also illustrated the "Miss Nelson is Missing" books.

After reading "Goldilocks and The Three Bears" by James Marshall many children may start listening to their mothers about taking shortcuts. Goldilocks is portrayed as a naughty neighbor when she takes a shortcut through the woods and rummages through a house eating porridge, breaking chairs, and falling asleep on a perfectly sized bed. What she did not realize was that three bears lived there. This would prove to be a rude awakening for her to possibly start listening to her mother. The brightly colored watercolor and ink illustrations are complimented by vivid lines, varied textures, and abstract shapes to portray the adventurous movement of the text. The balance of design shows a humorous side to a well known story through the text and variety of full page and bordered illustrations which received a Caldecott Honor in 1989. This book showcases the many emotions a child may have on an unsafe journey through the woods which Marshall paints vividly on both Goldilocks and the three bear's facial expressions. Marshall's modern tone throughout the book makes this version of the classic folktale seem socially relevant and up to date keeping the interest of the reader. This is a must have for every child and their classroom's book collection.

The colors are dull and the book is very flimsy. The cover and pages inside are too thin and bend easily, so it's difficult to hold up and read. We have a lot of children's paperback books and this is the only book I've received of this low quality. It's definitely not worth the purchase.

This auther takes too many liberties, & goes outside the true story. Goldilocks is portrayed as very mischievous, the illustrations are too fussy, story seems offkilter.

I have recently been studing the condition Autism and when it came to reading appropriate stories to suit the needs of children with this condition, I had a brainwave and I think that Goldilocks was an autistic child, due to her unsuitable social graces by our standards. It may have been thought to protray Goldilocks as "naughty" for being out on her own and going into the bears house. I think that Goldilocks didn't know she was doing anything out of the way, as children do not tend to go to sleep in strange houses. This would typify the behaviour of some of the children with the condition Autism from my research. I would like to know more about the aurthor of this story and I wonder what his view would have been on my thinking. 3/11/2003 by Eilish O'Hanlon I would like to have this thought registered to the above date and see if any similar thoughts have been recorded on this subject.

Our behavior determines how folks feel about us. Clearly Goldilocks was not favored by her family, friends, or the three bears. Be careful the impression you leave behind.