Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall, James Marshall (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

What a sweet child, says a newcomer in town about Goldilocks. That’s what you think, a neighbor replies. For Goldilocks is one of those naughty little girls who does exactly as she pleases—even if that means sampling the three bears’ porridge, breaking Baby Bear’s chair, and sleeping in his bed. James Marshall’s offbeat and inventive telling of this familiar tale will enchant readers, young and old. A delightfully irreverent retelling of an old favorite is illustrated with delicious humor and contemporary touches. — Booklist, starred review

Publishers Weekly

Goldilocks is a self-satisfied adventuress in this comical retelling, a 1988 Caldecott Honor book. "The book boasts many jolly details and the pictures burst with color," said PW. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

Children's Literature

A loopy contemporary humor marks Marshall's work. His writing has the syntax and phrasing and his illustrations the telling details that create a modern context for even the most traditional fairy tales. Goldilocks and the Three Bears opens thus: 'Once there was a little girl called Goldilocks. "What a sweet child," said someone new in town. "That's what you think," said a neighbor.' The accompanying illustration shows a blonde, curly-hair, fiercely scowling little girl about to splash water over three sweetly sleeping cats. My favorite illustration is of Goldilocks in Baby Bear's bed in the quintessential child's room chaos of heaped and scattered bats, toys, books, and clothes. 1998 (orig.

Children's Literature

James Marshall retells the story of Goldilocks, an adventuresome little girl, who takes a journey through the forbidden forest and comes upon the home of three bears, who are out on a bike ride. The bears return home to discover a little visitor sleeping in baby bear's bed. This Caldecott Honor Book is wonderfully illustrated with delightful detail and humor. 1998 (orig.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2 Another delightful romp through the fairy tale forest from the author of Red Riding Hood (Dial, 1987) and James Marshall's Mother Goose (Farrar, 1986) . This retelling is a Victorianesque version of a chubby, blond-hair strong-willed ``naughty little girl'' who takes a shortcut through the woods on her way to buy muffins in the next village, and invades the home of the three sophisticated bears. While the basic storyline may be recognizable to young listeners, sight gags and ironic wit are whimsically employed for those who already know the tale and/or Marshall's other works (for example, a white hen perches atop the bears' house). The tone is straightforward and droll. Marshall is careful to include basic motifs from the original tale: the bowls of porridge, the chairs, and the beds, but he takes liberties in his commentary: ``She walked right in without even bothering to knock'' and in the characters' exclamations, like ``Patooie!'' and ``Egads!'' His playful watercolor illustrations fill the pages in their comic portrayal of these well-known figures. Whether shared in a lap or with a group, this one's a winner. Marianne Pilla, formerly at Allard K. Lowenstein Lib . of Long Beach, N.Y.

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