Pick of the Day: The Goldilocks Variations

AHLBERG, Allan. The Goldilocks Variations. illus. by Jessica Ahlberg. 40p. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6268-4.
PreS-Gr 2–With whimsical illustrations and interactive features such as flaps, pop-ups, and pull tabs, the Ahlbergs showcase six silly variations on the classic tale. The standout of the bunch has the heroine wandering into the “trood (or spaceship) of The Three Bliim.” Full of silly alien words, the tale begs to be read aloud. In other adventures, Goldilocks takes on 33 bears, the furniture (chair, bowl, and bed finally get starring roles), and a host of fairy-tale characters such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Pigs. Jessica Ahlberg’s fanciful watercolor and ink illustrations sprinkle the pages and are the perfect counterpoint to the text’s cheeky humor.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD