The Three Bears

by Lisa McCue (Illustrator), Lisa McCue (Illustrator)

First Little Golden Books are exactly right for toddlers. They have simple, read-aloud texts, lively pictures that your child will want to look at again and again. Best of all they are just the right size for a toddler to hold.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Classics

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

I was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Tappan, NY when I was 4. As early as I can remember, teachers were telling me that my drawings should be in children’s books. While in high school I was given the assignment to write a paper describing a day in my life 25 years into the future. I described myself as married with 2 children, working in my studio overlooking the ocean and designing greeting cards with a dog at my feet. I must have had a crystal ball that day. The only difference is I look out at the Chesapeake Bay, not the ocean.

I illustrated my first children’s book while in college. Acclaimed Dutch author Loek Kessels saw my portfolio, and asked me to illustrate for her. Now nearly 30 years later, I am still illustrating children’s books as well as greeting cards.

I love my work! It is so much fun to bring my characters to life, one brush stroke at a time. My sons laugh at the way I act out all of the emotions by making the facial expressions of my characters while I draw. Click on my picture to the left to see what my sneaky boys caught on tape.

When I am not drawing you will most likely find me on the water racing our sailboat or in the Mountains skiing. I love to read, sew, and bead. I am also very involved in fundraising for ALS.

Reviews

[Simon Mee]

DNF as it appears I ripped out the last 3 pages 30 odd years ago. Now it stops on a real cliffhanger when the bears find Goldilocks in bed.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always love this version of The Three Bears the best, because it was the version I had in my childhood. I'm so glad I found a copy at a thrift store so I can share it with my children now.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a familiar story, but the illustrations are what make this edition really stand out. The attention to detail, the sweet background scenery and adorable clothing all add up to an adorable little book.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is your average three bears tale. There really is nothing special about it. The pictures are colourful, but not overly spectacular. Really an average book all round.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great picture

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The classic sad story of a little bear’s life being turned upside down

[Elizabeth Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about goldilocks, a young girl who was walking through the woods, became tired, and came upon this big beautiful wood cottage that was home to the three bears, momma bear, papa bear and baby bear. She figured she would knock on the door to see if she could rest there for a while. However no one was home. She saw porridge on the table, and she tried all three bowls, the last one being the best. This pattern continued on with the chairs and finally the beds of the three bears. Finally she was woken up by the bears and ran out of the house. This book could be used in a kindergarten classroom through an art project of some sort such as having the kids draw out all of the characters and rewrite the story or having them put on a play.

North, C., & McCue, L. (1983). The three bears. New York, NY: Golden Press.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

K-1st Grades
North brings this folktale to life with the beast tale voices of the three bears. She does a great job of making the story of the Three Bears a little more current. The text was in big enough font for a child to see. The pages also had enough negative space to give the child's eyes a rest. North didn't make any drastic changes to the retelling of the story, she left in all the basics of the old classic. The images/graphics of this story could use work. I felt they were very boring and did not have much pizazz. I enjoyed the book, but probably would not recommend it to be read in today's classrooms.

Science/Language Arts
Students could study the sleeping and eating patterns of bears.

[Gabriel Wallis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read "The Three Bears" to my children the other night, and they both loved it. I think it has to be about the second or third book on Goldilocks and the three bears that I've read to them since the kids came into our home. I have to wonder, though, what made Goldilocks enter the bears's home? Who in their right mind would walk into the home/den of a bear? She just kinda went about her business, eating their porridge, sitting in their chairs, and sleeping in their beds. I must say... Goldilocks must have been crazy... or she was just being a dumb blonde. It was good, though. I'll definitely be reading this book again to the kids.

[Kristina Moss]

The Three Little Bears by Carol North is a great retelling of this classic story. The story is about three bears that live in the woods. After going out for food, Goldilocks enters their home and tries everything from their porridge to their beds. I would use the classic story in my classroom to introduce my students to retelling literature and sequencing events. I would use this book as an activity where my students would have to arrange the events that took place during Goldilocks visit. This activity I feel would be great for younger grade students.

[Laree Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my most favorite books of all time. It is the tale of when Goldilocks visits the house of the three bears while they are out for a walk. I would read this book to my class and ask them engaging questions like ..What do you think will happen next ...Why? It will also be good for predictions. Lastly, this story could easily be retold by using props.

[Lizzette Armendariz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A a delightful story with some animal fiction incorporated and a good dose of adventure. It an old time favorite and it makes it seem that humans are welcomed into the human world. There is mystery involved and detective work done by the bear. Goldy Locks is a defying little girl who ventures into the animal world and finds herself in a scary situation for any little girl.

[Lidra West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who couldn't love this classic. This is a great read aloud for teaching children the values of respecting others things. This story is an old story that has been passed down from generation to generation and in my opinion will continue to be popular throughout time.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations make this book stand out. The colors are vibrant and the bears have wonderful expressions. This retelling, because of the illustrations, focuses more on the bears, rather than on Goldilocks.

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always love this story.

[Latiece Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

ilove this book because not only is it small and thin but it also helps me remeber the old times when my mom use to read this to me.it teaches little and older kids a lesson ineach book.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for young readers! Students especially like it if you give the characters different voices.

[Becca Holcomb]

I would use this book in my class to teach small, medium, and large. This is a great story for younger learners trying to undertsand small, meduim, and large.

[Erich Franz Linner-Guzmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought back some memories.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read many times.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a straightforward retelling of the story of Goldilocks visiting the house of the three bears while they were out for a walk. Nicely illustrated.

[Chandler Connelly]

i think this book was a good book