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GOLDILOCKS

Name: GOLDILOCKS
Author: Janice Russell
ISBN: 1-56397-430-4

adapted by Janice Russell & illustrated by Janice Russell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1997

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An unembellished retelling of the enduring tale. This is not Goldilocks with a twist, a spin, a new race; it has no alternative ending or unusual point of view. Instead, this is the basic version, simply told with a little dialogue for those who want the story, nothing but the story, homespun and unadulterated. An omniscient narrator uses informal language to recount the story of the girl with the golden hair who wanders into the cottage of three bears, sampling their porridge, chairs, and beds. Country gates and gardens and docile, domestic log-cabin interiors are textured and framed with Jan Brettlike borders that give the book a European look. Meticulous patterns and designs adorn the tempting porridge bowls, vine-entwined handcrafted chairs, and the calico quilts in the cozy cottage. Full-frame close-ups of the bears enliven the telling, especially when Goldilocks awakes from her sleep, for ``this is what she saw'': Three huge, furry faces stare at readers as well as Goldilocks. A good, simple edition. (Picture book. 2-4)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1997

ISBN: 1-56397-430-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Boyds Mills

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1997

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF

adapted by Stephen Carpenter & illustrated by Stephen Carpenter ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 30, 1998

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In this entry in the Growing Tree series, the publisher copyrights the text, while Carpenter provides illustrations for the story; here, the three billy goats named Gruff play on a nasty troll’s greed to get where the grass is greenest. Logic has never been the long suit of this tale: Instead of letting the two smaller billy goats be terrorized by the mean and ugly troll, children wonder, why doesn’t the biggest billy goat step in sooner? It’s still a good introduction to comparatives, and the repetitiveness of the story invites participation. The artwork matches the story: The characters are suitably menacing, quivering, or stalwart, and the perspectives allow readers to be right there in the thick of the action. (Picture book. 2-4)

Pub Date: June 30, 1998

ISBN: 0-694-01033-2

Page Count: 24

Publisher: HarperFestival

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1998

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
YOU'RE INVITED TO BRUCE LANSKY'S POETRY PARTY!
by Bruce Lansky & illustrated by Stephen Carpenter

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HOW KIND!

by Mary Murphy & illustrated by Mary Murphy ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2001

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Good deeds beget good deeds in this graphically bold and bright celebration of benevolence. Hen gives Pig an egg, a kindness that inspires him to give a carrot to Rabbit, who in turn picks flowers for Cow, and so on until Pig returns the initial favor by presenting Hen with a chick—hatched from her original egg. The clever turn of events leaves readers wondering if Hen has hornswoggled Pig into doing the work of hatching her egg, or if she is simply thanking him for the gift? The youngest readers and listeners will not be distracted by such concerns and will enjoy shouting out “How kind!” as it’s repeated throughout the text; they may also be inspired to emulate the animals and take turns doing one another kindnesses. Electric pink, sky blue, yellow, orange, purple, and tennis-ball-green ink-and-wash illustrations outlined in heavy black add to the cheer and are complemented by the loose yet readable typeface, created by and named for Murphy (Koala and the Flower, not reviewed, etc.). For just plain storytime fun or for introducing the concept of karma, this is a winner. (Picture book. 2-4)