Goldilocks and The Three Bears


   In this version of Goldilocks, the author sticks very close to the storyline of the original story and contains words that are easily read. In the beginning, we are introduced to a family of bears who are about to set down to a nice breakfast when they realize that their porridge is too hot to eat so they take a walk. While on their walk, a young girl manages to make her way into the home of the bears and make herself comfortable. Goldilocks eats the baby bear’s porridge, breaks his chair, and falls asleep in his bed. When the bears arrive back and find that someone has been in their house they make their way to the bedroom and find Goldilocks still asleep. But when Goldilocks awakens to see the bears, she gets frightened and runs away never to be seen by the bears again. 
    Galdone does a great job at  using color, sketch, and outline style to make the images really jump off the page. He tries his best to stick mostly to basic colors throughout the book which gives is a very aged feel. When I read books that are illustrated such as this, it gives it an aged feel that takes me back and makes me think of the time that this book was spoken. The simplistic words that Galdone uses throughout the book make it ideal for young readers because the words used are those that students use and see on a daily basis. 
  I have always loved this folktale because it is easy to read and whimsical. The personification used through this story makes it so much more enchanting because the bears are like an actual human family and live comfortably. 

Discussion Questions:
  • What are some alternative endings that fit with the story?
  • Di you think that what Goldilocks did was the right thing? Why?
Motivational Activities:
  • Using this story for a Reader's Theater would allow the students to get more in touch with the characters and deepen their understanding.  
  • Find another version of Goldilocks, read it to the students and allow them to make a chart telling the differences and similarities between the two.
References: 

Galdone, P. (2014). The three bears. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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