Goldilocks and the Three Martians [Hardcover]

Stu Smith (Author), Michael Garland (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Goldilocks is fed up with chores and homework&150can't a girl have any fun&150so she builds a spaceship and blasts off for the adventure of her life. After touring all the planets (and finding something wrong with each of them), she finally lands on Mars and is soon ringing the doorbell of a Martian house. You guessed it&150no one's home, but some tasty alien stew is cooling on the table. After a little nap and a narrow escape from the returned occupants, Goldilocks heads for Earth, which suddenly feels . . . just right after all.

With a terrific rhyming text that's great fun for out-loud reading, this bright picture book offers a wacky twist on an old favorite.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Using colorful computer graphics, Garland provides Jetsons-like illustrations for an outer-space revision of the adventures of the persnickety blond. Escaping persistent parental persecution, indolent Goldilocks somehow musters the energy to build a rocket to canvas the solar system looking for the just-right planet, taking along her dog and cat for company. She ends up on Mars and thoughtlessly samples the wares of an absent family until her pillaging tires her out, and the returning green creatures slither home to find her asleep. The rhyming text keeps the action moving and the language reads aloud smoothly. The three stuffed teddy bears Goldilocks carries with her are a nice touch and the aliens' antics (the sluglike, tentacle-eyed Martians go into a frenzy over the potential aliens-for-dinner treat) should garner a few giggles from children. This silly tale serves as an accessible example of story transmogrification for young readers and may inspire them to try coming up with their own fresh versions of old favorites.–John Sigwald, Unger Memorial Library, Plainview, TX
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About the Author

Stu Smith, a first-time picture book author, has been an elementary school teacher for fifteen years.
Michael Garland is the author-illustrator of many popular children's books, including Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook and Mystery Mansion.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (June 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525469729
• ISBN-13: 978-0525469728
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,037,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goldilocks in outerspace!, September 19, 2004

By 

Ahsitan "ahsitan" (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goldilocks and the Three Martians (Hardcover)

Goldilocks and the Three Martians by Stu Smith is a fun twist on the traditional Goldilocks story. I thought the book was fun and inviting, and my kids liked it too. The lyrical text added a sing-song feel to the story, making it a great story to read aloud. Michael Garland brings the characters to life with his fantastical illustrations (we have at least one more book illustrated by him). All in all, it was a great read, great pictures that stand on their own, and a great message to the kids - "There's no place like home."

We loved this book and highly recommend it to others.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun book, March 18, 2007

By 

S. Altman (southeast US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Goldilocks and the Three Martians (Hardcover)

My first graders liked this book - fun idea and could be used to lead them into writing another version.

4.0 out of 5 stars A neat twist on a classic tale, August 10, 2006

By 

Julee Rudolf "book snob" (Oak Harbor, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Goldilocks and the Three Martians (Hardcover)

Goldilocks' strict mom serves Brussel sprouts and beets and doesn't let her do the things that the rest of us moms don't let our kids do, so she builds a spaceship, fills the tank (with porridge), and heads off into space with her pet dog and cat. Each planet she tries has a flaw (too hot, too cold, too gassy, too far). Finally, she gives Mars a try. She enters a Martian house, where the standard, but interestingly different, food (Martian stew), chairs, and beds await her assessment. But this time, when the (Martian) family returns, they're only too happy to find out that someone's inside. "ALIENS FOR DINNER," they cheer as they ogle the sleeping Goldilocks "like a burger and some fries." Luckily, her pets save her and the day by getting her home, where, as her mom hugs her, she realizes that everything is "just right." A cute take on the classic story with excellent pictures and funny, witty rhymes.