Goldilocks & Mother Goose and Friends

PreS-Gr 2—In the tradition of folk literature, Ruth Sanderson retells the tale of Goldilocks (2009). It begins as a more customary version with the golden-haired girl entering a bear family's cozy cottage and tasting porridge, sitting in chairs, and ultimately trying out the beds in various sizes. Sanderson, however, takes the tale in a different direction by providing a lesson, a bit of tension, and the start of a friendship between the bears and the girl. There's even a recipe for muffins that Mamma Bear makes from the blueberries in Goldilocks' basket. Sanderson's charming illustrations are not animated; rather, the camera moves across the images to give the feeling of motion. The highly realistic, idealized art brings to life a satisfying and fresh version of the familiar tale with very human bears and a rather naughty girl who gets her comeuppance. Mother Goose and Friends (2008. both Little, Brown) is presented similarly. Sanderson's realistically rendered, gorgeous illustrations present a magical, almost nostalgic interpretation of both traditional and credited rhymes. Male and female voices alternate reading the short verses. The final DVD chapter is an interview with Sanderson in which she discusses her artistic inspiration. This segment is best suited to older children and adults. A fine way to share one artist's interpretation of both the familiar folktale and traditional rhymes with larger groups of children.—Maria Salvadore, formerly Washington DC Public Library