 | Don't buy the paperback version
rating: 2
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.
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The Great James Marshall Has it Just RIght
rating: 5
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.
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Once there was a nice little girl nam--Oh wait a minute!
rating: 5
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.
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Goldilocks...
rating: 1
THe story of glodilocks is more than just story that will put your child to sleep. If one reads deeper into the story they can find morals instilled. These fairytales are a great way to teach young children many lessons. Depending on the version read one may be able to extract many different views. Not only does it depnd on the authors views but also the background of the reader(you)
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Goldilocks Revised
rating: 5
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.
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