In a refreshing retelling of a classic story, The 3 Bears & Goldilocks shows Goldilocks not as mischievious but simply curious, adventurous, and with a very good-hearted desire to help. The bears, also, are shown in a more realistic way--eating porridge mixed with bugs and living amidst debris--although granted, they still live in a rather un-bear-like abode. The story is well told, the illustrations are inventive and suit the story perfectly with mixed painting and photographic collage, and altogether, it's a wonderful take on a very familiar story. Two thumbs up!
Stand Tall
By Siena Siegel
by Joan Bauer
Putnam, 2002, 182 pgs Realistic Fiction
Tree is 12 years old and over 6 feet tall. That would be great if he were a basketball player, but he is not. Dealing with his unusual size is not Tree's only challenge. Tree's parents have recently gone through a divorce, and his grandfather has had his leg amputated as the result of an old Vietnam War injury. The strength of this book is the characterizations. All of the main characters are dimensional and sympathetic. Bauer sets the characters in real and often funny family situations. Best of all is the character of Tree. He is boy with a heart to match his stature. This is a great book for boys or girls ages 9-12, as a read aloud or for individual reading. This book could also be a good Rx book for children whose families are going through divorce, or for anyone who feels like they don't fit in.

Comments