I enjoyed this version of Goldilocks and I felt the text was simple but straightforward. It told the tale, complete with papa bear, mama bear, and baby bear. The story followed them through their routine of eating porridge in their just right sized bowls, sitting in their just right sized chairs, and sleeping in their just right sized beds. Then while they were out, Goldilocks came and snuck into their house and ate their porridge, broke their chairs, and slept in their beds. They came home surprised and Goldilocks woke up and left! The dialogue was very repetitive which is good for children's books so the children can read along and shout out what the characters will say next. However, the focal point of this book was the illustration. It was very unique in that it was extremely lifelike. The bears were depicted as actual brown bears with sharp teeth and angry expressions to follow. The depiction of Goldilocks was stunning as well. While these illustrations might not be a hit with children, they are masterfully done and can be admired. ( )

There is an image of little Goldilocks on the cover of the book. She is wearing red, white, and blue with a feather in her hat. It reminds me of early Yankee Doodle, American days. The bears are illustrated very realistically to look like humans. They also appear to have status and could be Renaissance aristocrats. He artistically uses the gutter of the pages to separate the baby bear with his parents and Goldilocks with the bears. ( )

I did not like this version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears too much. It is based in a kingdom. There are many versions of Goldilocks, but I have never read one where the bears are elite or living nicely. Usually, they are living in a little humble cabin home in the woods. The illustrations in the book are very nice, the bears are dressed in what looks like what wealthy people would wear in the 15th century. The storyline was very much the same as “original Goldilocks” stories— which I appreciate. Goldilocks is still her mischievous self with curly golden hair. The main idea of the story is if you want something, ask before taking or using. I think the main reason I did not like the story was that of the illustrations. If this book did not have illustrations, the storyline is pretty much the same. I am biased to the bears just being bears without clothing. That is the thing about traditional literature though, it is adapted into many different versions. ( )

As chronicled by Gennady Spirin in the back of the book, this tale has an amazing history. While there were many versions of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, it wasn't until 1831 when a handwritten copy was discovered noting the author as Eleanor Mure. Different from the version we know today, it is an old woman who is the trespasser into the home of the three bears.

Yet another story discovered in 1837 in a collection by a man named Robert Southey also has an elder woman as the intruder.

There are also early versions wherein a fox is the character who breaks into the home of the bears and he drinks milk instead of eating porridge. The title of this publication is Scapefoot.

Fast forward to 1849 when the tale called Silver Hair included a young girl as the interloper. This was found in a book titled Cundall's Treasure of Pleasure Books for Children.

It was in 1904 when a publication titled Old Nursery Stories and Rhymes, illustrated by John Hassall that we finally have the well known tale we know today.

This book written and illustrated by Gennady Spirin includes the young blond girl and the Papa, Mama and baby bears.

With lush illustrations, Spirin paints the bears in a royal fashion. Goldilocks is beautiful, and unafraid when the bears discover her in baby bear's bed. ( )

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Gennady Spirin

Summary: A family of three bears leave their home for a walk to wait on their porridge to cool. While they are walking a young girl wanders into their home and falls asleep. When the bears return home they find Goldilocks asleep in the youngest bear's bed. Goldilocks wakes up to the tree bears standing over her and runs out of the house.

Personal Reaction: Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a very popular children's story with several different outcomes. I feel like this a very dry version and was written lazily. Children are waiting to see what the bears do and when all they do is say "bye" and Goldilocks runs out, I think it is a boring ending.

Extensions Ideas: Have each child discuss what they would have done in the same situation if they were Goldlocks as well as if they were one of the bears. ( )