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GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

Name: GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
Author: Tracey Turner
ISBN: 978-1-68464-160-4

From the Wrong Fairy Tale series

by Tracey Turner ; illustrated by Summer Macon ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2021

Lots of giggles in this delightfully goofy tale.

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In a mashup of two iconic fairy tales, Goldilocks finds herself in the middle of the Three Little Pigs’ battle with the Big Bad Wolf.

When Goldilocks spots an unfamiliar brick house in the woods, she must satisfy her curiosity and barge right in. The three pigs living there are hiding in a closet, frightened by the probable reappearance of their archenemy, the Big Bad Wolf. Goldilocks, brazen as always, heads straight for the porridge, trying each one and enjoying the one that is just right. At that point all three pigs realize Goldilocks has involved herself in the wrong fairy tale, and they tell her so. But here comes the wolf, who, failing to blow down the brick house, tries to come down the chimney. Goldilocks and the pigs work together to build a fire that will get rid of him once and for all. (He is singed and scared but otherwise unharmed.) Thus the wrong fairy tale still leads to a happy ending, with Goldilocks and the pigs best friends forever. Little readers who know both tales will find great joy in pointing out the anomalies while newcomers to the fairy-tale world will love the silly adventures. Turner has created a fun-filled romp greatly aided by Macon’s very brightly hued cartoons depicting a wild-haired, big-eyed Goldilocks (who presents White) and pink pigs whose every emotion is seen in exaggerated facial expressions and body language. Pair it with Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s fractured fairy tales or Turner and Macon’s own Jack and the Three Bears (publishing simultaneously); either way the fun increases.

Lots of giggles in this delightfully goofy tale. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: March 1, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-68464-160-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Kane Miller

Review Posted Online: Dec. 24, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MOUSE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Tracey Turner ; illustrated by Jenny Løvlie

- BOOK REVIEW
WORLD OF THE WEIRD
by Tracey Turner

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CARPENTER'S HELPER

by Sybil Rosen ; illustrated by Camille Garoche ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 16, 2021

Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story.

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A home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature.

Renata and her father enjoy working on upgrading their bathroom, installing a clawfoot bathtub, and cutting a space for a new window. One warm night, after Papi leaves the window space open, two wrens begin making a nest in the bathroom. Rather than seeing it as an unfortunate delay of their project, Renata and Papi decide to let the avian carpenters continue their work. Renata witnesses the birth of four chicks as their rosy eggs split open “like coats that are suddenly too small.” Renata finds at a crucial moment that she can help the chicks learn to fly, even with the bittersweet knowledge that it will only hasten their exits from her life. Rosen uses lively language and well-chosen details to move the story of the baby birds forward. The text suggests the strong bond built by this Afro-Latinx father and daughter with their ongoing project without needing to point it out explicitly, a light touch in a picture book full of delicate, well-drawn moments and precise wording. Garoche’s drawings are impressively detailed, from the nest’s many small bits to the developing first feathers on the chicks and the wall smudges and exposed wiring of the renovation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)

Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: March 16, 2021

ISBN: 978-0-593-12320-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random

Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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HOW TO CATCH A REINDEER

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 4, 2022

These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.

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The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.

Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)