Whether by design or fate it’s a book that will not only be a delight for little ones but will be a delight for parents to read again and again. The story might as well be a canvas for Willems to display all of his wit through use of word and illustration. The cartoony sort-of feel keeps littler ones engaged and also adds to the overall amusement of the story. From a Papa Dinosaur with a pencil thin mustache to a calendar sporting that Norway is the gateway to Sweden (something that would have my Scandinavian cousins gasping in horror), it’s not only fun to turn the page and find new tidbits but almost impossible not to want to. He obliviously enjoyed illustrating this book and it’s hard for that not to translate to the reader. Willems’ illustrations are fun and littered with Easter eggs, indulging dedicated fans and anyone with a sharp eye. However, in a strange moment of clarity she notices that she’s in a dinosaur home and makes a break for it out the very unlocked back door. Willems’ interludes about Goldilocks continues to amuse with comments regarding not only her ability to listen to good sense but lack of self-control. Or as Willems would phrase it they go Somewhere Else and most definitely do not sit and wait for their trap to be sprung. The dinosaurs then “accidentally” leave their door open, delicious chocolate pudding cooling on the enormously tall counter, a ladder next to the counter, hide out waiting and watching in the woods. Baby Bear is replaced by a Norwegian exchange student dinosaur and porridge is replaced by the far more delectable chocolate pudding. Onward! Willems switches a good deal of things around. If you don’t know it, you can hobble along with us or jump over to Wikipedia for a quick briefing on the subject. I’m not going to explain the plot of Goldilocks.
It’s right up our alley though with a humorous story, hilarious side notes to the reader, and illustrations that take every joke a step farther.
However, my sister was quick to suggest this story and while we’ve enjoyed a few of Mo Willems’ Pigeon books, I hadn’t yet cracked this beauty open.
The few I had, I’d already reviewed and other issues arose with the few others that fell into my hands. We’re more of a dragon sort of family and dinosaurs are welcome but there weren’t a lot of books for me to choose from when KidLit Picks suggested dinosaurs for the month. We haven’t gone dinosaur crazy at our house. Synopsis: A fun twist on a old classic, has Goldilocks lured into a dinosaur home, climbing ladders, eating pudding, and displaying a new sort of common sense. Title: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
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