Rolling Along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears [Hardcover]

Cindy Meyers (Author), Carol Morgan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

"Once upon a time, there were three bears: a great big papa bear, a middle-sized mama bear, and a baby bear who used a wheelchair to get around. They lived in the forest in a house that had ramps instead of steps for baby bear...". So begins this perennial favourite children's story with a 'special-needs' twist. This story unfolds with many of the familiar scenes of the classic tale, and ends on a hopeful note. Here, Baby Bear uses a wheelchair, goes to physical therapy, and ultimately makes friends with Goldilocks. Lively, full-colour illustrations help to tell this heartwarming story. Young readers with a physical disability will be delighted to discover that Baby Bear is like them, and will want to share the book with classmates and friends. Physical therapists and teachers will also find Rolling Along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears a useful and empathetic story to read to children and recommend to families.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1 Meyers's version of this popular tale includes a physically challenged Baby Bear who undergoes physical therapy at the woodland Treetop Center. Goldilocks enters the bears' home only to discover that Baby Bear has a transfer board and remote-control bed, and lives in a cottage equipped with a wheelchair ramp. Goldilocks ultimately befriends Baby Bear, learns to use his wheelchair, and both live happily ever after. Morgan paints a bright picture of Baby Bear's therapy session, which is attended by smiling animal children with crutches, walkers, and bandages. Neither the origin nor permanency of the cub's disability is discussed, and what happens in the actual therapy session is glossed over in two sentences. The style of prose is only fair, and the repeated use of "wee" and "land sakes" seems inconsistent with the contemporary setting. The crayon illustrations are reminiscent of a 1950s' style and appear flat and prosaic. This theme is laudable, but the quality is disappointing. Paul Kelsey, East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library, LA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This would be a nice addition to a school or personal library..." -Quest (Muscular Dystrophy Association). "Morgan paints a bright picture of Baby Bear's therapy session, which is attended by smiling animal children with crutches, walkers, and bandages..." -School Library Journal.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 27 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 1 edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627127
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627126
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 10.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Special Needs

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good book using familar story to teach about disability, September 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rolling Along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Hardcover)

As an RN I feel this book is useful in using an established storyline to introduce children to others who have a disability. Children who read this already know and can relate to the story, and therefore can use this information to better understand a friend or family member who may be confined to a wheelchair.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a great Book!, January 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rolling Along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Hardcover)

This a familiar story for children with a special twist. Baby bear is in a wheelchair. The story talks about his special equipment and his therapy but still tells the basic story familiar to the children. The pictures are delightful and the words are 'just right'. It is an excellent addition to our Head Start library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Educational - Highly Recommended, June 29, 2008

By 

D. Burton (Lafayette , Boulder County, Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rolling Along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Hardcover)

Funny and educational! I borrowed this book from the library and after reading it will definitely purchase a copy for our home! My children were captivated by this story and it was much better than I anticipated. A family of three bears lives in a house with ramps instead of stairs. Baby bear uses a wheelchair to get around, a transfer board to get from his wheelchair into his regular chair, a bed that goes up and down and he goes to physical therapy. The author and illustrator have done a marvelous job on this story. It's impressive to see a transfer board mentioned in a children's book and it's great to see Baby Bear using a regular chair. I couldn't help but laugh reading this book! For other fun children's books featuring a wheelchair user try Zoom! by Robert Munsch or Best Friend on Wheels: A Concept Book by Debra Shirley.