Goldilocks and the three bears Book

One of four versions of this tale that I have read in the past year - the other three being done by Lauren Child, Ruth Sanderson, and Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock - this picture-book retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears has Jan Brett's signature illustrations, rich in color and detail, with a secondary visual narrative occurring in the decorative borders.

Brett is a master at animal characterization, and I really enjoyed her depiction of the three bears, whose facial expressions were often very droll. Although human figures and faces aren't always her strength, I thought her (very) fair Goldilocks was well done, if a little stiff. I also appreciated the folk costumes and motifs - which looked somewhat German to me - that Brett included. I was a little distracted by the fact that she referred to the bears as "the great, huge bear," "the middle-sized bear," and "the little, small, wee bear" throughout, rather than as Papa, Mama and Baby Bear, but I suspect that is owing to the fact that her adaptation is taken from Andrew Lang's The Green Fairy Book .

All in all, an engaging retelling of this traditional tale. I think the Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock version is still my favorite, but this edition is also worth a look - particularly for Jan Brett fans!