This review also published at The Children's Book and Media Review run by Brigham Young University.

On Christmas Eve, Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear are busy getting ready for the holiday the next day. They decorate the house and make Christmas pudding, but when they sit down to eat the pudding is much too hot. They go on a walk to see the Christmas lights while their pudding cools. While they are gone, Santa Claus comes to their house. He tries the pudding, but only one is just right, and only one of the chairs is just right too. When the bears come back and discover that someone is in their house, they get to meet Santa and receive their presents.

This story is a simple retelling of the classic story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with the additions of the bears being polar bears and Santa as Goldilocks. While adult readers might be bothered that Santa doesn’t replace what he’s broken until next year and doesn’t apologize for eating their food and breaking their belongings, younger readers will likely be too excited about the ending with talking to Santa to care. The illustrations are charming, and many adults and children will like this seasonal version of an old classic. ( )

4 stars for the whimsical illustrations (which draw on the styles of Susan Wheeler, Jan Brett, and Mary Engelbreit), and 3 for the text, which is a Christmas version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears (which stays true to the story but does not add much originiality).

This is by far my favorite Christmas book. It is just like Goldilocks and the three bears, except it uses Santa. In the book the bears have everything decorated for Christmas and they sit down to eat. The Christmas Pudding is too hot so they go for a walk. While on the walk, Santa delivers their presents. He comes up on their Christmas Pudding and decides that he wants to eat it. Once the bears get back they notice that all of their Christmas Pudding is gone. Will they find Santa? ( )

The three bears weren't expecting company when they went for a walk on Christmas Eve. But who should appear but the merry old gentleman himself - Santa Claus! Santa tries out the Christmas pudding, the chairs and then the beds. Find out what happens when the three bears come home from their walk. Wonderful pictures and whimsical prose make for a lovely picture book to share with your family during the holiday season.

Janice P. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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Santa Claus and the Three Bears is a fun rendition of Goldilocks and the Three Bears meet Santa Claus. I think that kids would find this extremely interesting especially if they know the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. If they are not familiar with the story, I would even try to read that one before so that the kids can compare the two stories and understand the humor. ( )