Goldilocks - Post 2 of 2

Here are my favorite Goldilocks books...continued!

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs (Mo Willems) - This book is all about reading between the lines and the text is ripe for teaching a child how to infer meaning. I love how Willems pokes fun at the inconsistencies in the original tale (Did you ever wonder how the porridge could be too hot and too cold?) and exaggerates the absurdity of Goldilocks entering a strangers' house. Even the end papers of the book are witty and worth some time. Fill in blank: Goldilocks and the Three ______. Your idea is probably X'd out in red!

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner) - Goldilocks skips into this story with her jump rope and keeps her naughty behavior bouncing along with rhyming couplets. An updated, yet traditional, retelling.

Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians (Jackie Mims Hopkins; John Manders) - I have to share the opening: "Once upon a time... nestled deep in an enchanted forest, there lived a book lovin' bear family.  Papa bear was a public libearian, Mamma bear was a school libearian, and their son, Baby bear, was a libearian in training at the Grizz Lee Preschool." I was hooked! Not only is this a bibliophilic Goldilocks, but this book is chock full of language arts lessons (just right books, five-finger rule). A fun and unique twist on the original, especially for elementary classrooms!

Somebody and the Three Blairs (Marilyn Tolhurst; Simone Abel) - Published in 1990, this version of Goldilocks turns the story on its head. "Somebody" is a bear and the "Three Blairs" are a human family. The storyline is full of typical toddler messes and misunderstandings (in addition to the usual escapades of eating, sitting, and sleeping). Children will love to "read" the illustrations to interpret additional meaning. My boys were especially tickled by, "This pond is too small", which shows the bear looking at the toilet. Of course, Baby Blair is thrilled with all the messes while his parents try to decide which emergency department to call. This is a fun, topsy-turvy read!

Goldie and the Three Hares (Margie Palatini; Jack E. Davis) - When running away from the three bears, Goldilocks fall down a rabbit hole and sprains her ankle. The Hare family grows more and more impatient with their rude and demanding patient.  Finally, Baby Hare ("also known as Bunny"), thinks of a way to get rid of Goldie once and for all! This look at what happens after Goldilocks' swift exit from the Bear's house is a rib-tickler!