The Three Bears ... Sort Of

by Yvonne Morrison, Donovan Bixley (Illustrator)

The narrator attempts to tell the traditional story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears but keeps getting interrupted by a questioning voice. Why did the bears live in a cottage? - they live in caves. How come Goldilocks managed to break the small bear's' chair? - a baby bear would weigh so much more than a little girl. So in a clever way the reader gets to learn a lot about bears, and to learn to question accepted tales.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Yvonne is a zookeeper, swing dance instructor and children’s book author. She has also worked as a schoolteacher of 5 to 12 year olds, a meteorologist and a physicist. Her publications include several picture books which have topped the bestseller lists in both Australia and New Zealand, as well as dozens of educational titles. Yvonne is passionate about animal welfare and loves to travel the world seeking out strange and unusual species.

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finalist in the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, in the picture book category. I adored this book, as did my 5 and 7 year old. The story retells the 3 Bears tale, with interjections from a fact-checking child who is suspicious of the logic behind bears in a cottage, cooking porridge, and, my personal favourite, that they would notice the disordered pillows on Mama and Papa Bear's chair before the tiny chair strewn about in splinters. My 5 year old son loved this aspect... I had brought it home with such glee, and both kids were so quiet listening that I thought huh, maybe one of those stories that appeal more to adults than kids, and when I finished, my son said, "It's so FUNNY. AND, it makes sense!" The extremely rational pedantism of the questions was what he really appreciated. My 7 year old daughter, on the other hand, enjoyed the humour and the fact that with two clearly indicated spoken roles, it was crying out to be read aloud as a play, so she took it to school the next day to share. Wonderful illustrations from Donovan Bixley that had as much substance to add to the story as the words made this one an all-round favourite for us.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 3 out of 5]

اگر به جای "موطلا و سه خرس" -که برای ما چندان آشنا نیست- یک قصّه ی آشناتر دستمایه ی این شوخی قرار گرفته بود، حتماً هم بیشتر می خندیدیم و هم بیشتر کِیف می کردیم.
فرقی هم نمی کند. چه "ماه پیشانی" ایرانی باشد چه "شنل قرمزی" فرنگی. هر دو در خاطرات و حافظه ی جمعی ما جا دارند. برخلاف این دختره ی پررو "موطلا" که اصلاً کسی درکودکی ما را با او آشنا نکرده!
:)

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book absolutely hilarious because how the child keep interrupting with these really annoying questions

[Isa Rive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amusing retelling of the Goldilocks and the three bears tale with authentic child’s voice interruptions. Rich glorious illustrations which enhance the story.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both funny and a tad annoying, the 'kid' who is having this story read to, keeps interrupting with 'facts', about bears, and a few logic bombs as well. This retelling of Goldilocks and the three bears, has colourful images, a number of 'speech' interruption bubbles, and the language suitable for readers, and beginners with help, but really you need to both understand the interruptions, and probably the original story, to understand the irony and jokes.

[Sudaporn Obom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the story captures the debate between the child and their mother about the bear. The debate is not only entertaining but also packed with accurate bear facts, making it educational for kids. It reminds me of the debates I used to have in my mind as a kid when reading stories that didn’t make sense to me, even though I knew they were just fantasies.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to a group of girls which they loved. A fantastic book with a twist. It also had a happy ending.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious.

I recently sang Goldilocks in a kids opera, and these were basically our backstage discussions the whole time.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent variation on the Three Bears story. It introduces critical thinking into all aspects of the traditional tale. I loved the conversational tone and how it begs you to read it with such expression.

[Nella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Goldilocks and the three bears with interruptions from an all knowing child. Wonderfully funny. Would appeal to anyone aged 5+ (especially parents of children going through the "very literal" stage.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age level 5- 10 years.
Illustration techniques could be Interesting to all ages

[Melinda Szymanik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever idea which challenges young readers to question the status quo. Bixley's illustrations are sumptuous and reward closer inspection. Recommended.

[Michael Earp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a chuckle! V. Good.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny!

[Arwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant! Read it again in 2016.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny retelling (and interrupting) of The Three Bears. Its like reading to a three year old without them having to be there!

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Nomoremagic · Rating 4 out of 5]

luved