Sylvia Locke and the Three Bears

Tairy Fails #1

by David Horn, Judit Tondora (illustrator)

RED ALERT FOR FAIRY TALE Sylvia Locke is out and ready to cause mischief.

Once upon a time in Fairy Tale Land, there lived a very bad girl indeed. Sylvia Locke may have been abandoned by her adventuring parents but that’s no excuse for being mean to her loving grandparents, rude to everyone at school, and even bullying rare magical creatures. Right?

One day, when out on a break-and-enter job at the Bear family’s house, Sylvia happens upon a magical mirror that turns out to be more than she bargained for. Could even a kid like Sylvia find a friend? Could some warm and fuzzies change her heart?

The first book in Tairy Fails, a modern fractured fairy tale humor series that will have elementary school kids and early chapter book readers screaming with laughter.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fairy Tales, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Ava F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun fairy tale twist, it’s not actually a Goldilocks retelling it takes place after that story they even say the three bears had to move because of Goldilocks which I thought was hilarious. I can’t wait to see what else this series will bring

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting twist on the Goldilocks fairy tale! This is a great read for young readers! The chapters are short but full of fun and humor! I always enjoy reading fairytale retells! The illustrations by Judit Tondoraare bright, fun, and they help bring the story to life! It's interesting to see the main different twists authors add! Im looking forward to reading more Horns Tairy Fails! Thank you Rockstar Book Tours and David Horn for sharing this book with me!

[InMyReadingEra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 9yo is leaving a review on this book. "I loved this book so so much and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I would recommend it to anyone that loves magical/fairytale type stories. I finished this book in one night because I couldn't stop reading it!"

[Kameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a well-known fairytale. Locke and the Three Bears have some of the same characters, and similar moments play out, but this story is far more entertaining than the classic. Sylvia never claims to be a sweet, mild-mannered child. Everyone in Farmington would agree with her assessment, too. Sylvia loves having the loudest voice in the room, is quite mischievous, and enjoys bending the rules. She also has a habit of putting her wants and needs before others. It’s her need for a particular brand of sugary cereal that sets in motion a series of comedic events.

Sylvia’s sweet tooth and rumbling belly lead her to the neighbor’s house, the famous little bears. As Sylvia waits for her neighbors to leave, she overhears them discussing Goldilocks and how they moved to this village because of that person. This mysterious girl was why the bears moved to the town and installed the security system. Kids will laugh when they see the security measures in action.

Sylvia gets more than she bargained for when she enters through a window. She also realizes she is not alone in the house. Without spilling too much of the comedic moments, I will talk briefly about the bear in the magic mirror. Unlike the magic mirror person from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the magic mirror bear brings the funny. I cackled when he tried to kick Sylvia back after she kicked his frame. His ghostly antics were a hoot, too. If the text doesn’t make you chuckle, the hilarious illustrations will. Especially the one where Sylvia tests mirror bear’s I’m unbreakable theory. BTW: He is not really unbreakable, but I’ll keep his kryptonite a secret. He also has a real name, but you’ll need to read this comical fairytale to discover what it is.

As I stated above, Sylvia’s journey does have some semblance to Goldilocks’s time in the bears’ previous home. Silver streak-haired Sylvia does test things, looking for what screams just right. Did Sylvia escape the house before the family returns, or does she get caught like Goldilocks? Did she ever eat her Cookie Crunchies? Read the book and find out!

The recommended reading age is 6-10. While that is a great age range, I would even introduce the story to pre-k students. The story is simple to understand, so they should be able to follow the plot and find the drawings funny. Everyone will enjoy watching Sylvia get into sticky situations, watching her and the mirror bear interact, and the surprise introduction of the ninja. Wait until you see the ninja sketch! It’s hilarious!

The story ends by answering a burning question that puzzled Sylvia, her grandparents, and the whole town: What happened to Sylvia’s parents? I’ll be on the lookout for book two in the Tairy Fails series, and I know once your family and class read this story, they will be, too.

(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sylvia Locke and the Three Bears by David Horn (and illustrated by Judit Tondora) was a delightful twist on the Goldilocks fairy tale. It is the first book in what is planned as a series of humorous "revised" fairy tales, TAIRY FAILS. This first title features Sylvia Locke, a young girl with an attitude and a bit if an entitled personality. In spite of her often rude behavior, she seems to be doted on by her grandparents, and, by the end of the story, readers become aware that much of her rudeness and willful behavior arises from a feeling of having been abandoned by her parents and "dumped" on her grandparents without much explanation. This point is important and one that can help the intended audience of middle graders understand that "acting out" is often a defense mechanism. Sylvia eventually finds a friend who sees through that acting out, and she learns that being nice and helpful isn't that bad after all.

The illustrations by Tondora add lively details to the story, providing relevant information and helping the story move along. For this age group, these kind of intermittent illustrations are an important factor in keeping these readers engaged. They are quite beautifully done.

Sylvia is not a truly horrible child - most of what she does is actually typical of a curious, imaginative child who is also headstrong and self-centered (as us the case with a lot of children, isn't it?). She decides to go find her favorite cereal at the Three Bears' house, following in the footsteps of Goldilocks, but, as she sees it, doing it better. She encounters one obstacle after another once she gets into the house, including meeting up with a magic mirror who promises to tell her about her parents if she helps him (the bear in the mirror) have his own adventure. Through the ensuing adventures, Sylvia "accidentally" keeps on being helpful and even kind and polite, and starts questioning her previous adherence to being rude and bratty. The story sends a message about the benefits of cooperation and agreeable behavior to its intended readers through silly antics and lots of humor, so it never comes across as a "message." Although its main character is female, this story will appeal to both girls and boys. The twist on the familiar elements of the Goldilocks tale has great appeal as well. I look forward to reading future tales in Horns Tairy Fails series. I've always been a fan of fairy tale "revisionings."

I thank David Horn, Judit Tondora, and Book Sirens for the opportunity to read this advanced review copy for free, and I leave this review voluntarily.

[annftrsvnssn_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sylvia Locke and the Three Bears
Tairy Fails: Book 1
by David Horn

RED ALERT FOR FAIRY TALE LAND: Sylvia Locke is out and ready to cause mischief.

Once upon a time in Fairy Tale Land, there lived a very bad girl indeed. Sylvia Locke may have been abandoned by her adventuring parents but that’s no excuse for being mean to her loving grandparents, rude to everyone at school, and even bullying rare magical creatures. Right?

One day, when out on a break-and-enter job at the Bear family’s house, Sylvia happens upon a magical mirror that turns out to be more than she bargained for. Could even a kid like Sylvia find a friend? Could some warm and fuzzies change her heart?

--

3.75 Stars but rounding up to 4 Stars
To sum everything up, this is your modern fairytale with fanciful twists!

Thank you very much BookSirens for the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, let's talk about the book cover, shall we?
This is definitely what I would expect from a modern version of our beloved classic fairy tale. This gives whimsical, adventurous, mischievous, and classic yet modern.

I find this cover perfectly fitting with the story.

Now, the title.
It is very catchy I must say, however, what does "Tairy" signify?

We all know that this was based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Sylvia Locke gives a nice ring for this modern version.
The chapter titles were engaging and whimsical as well. I enjoyed each of them. All the places mentioned in this book were very funny too!

Moving on to the story and the plot itself - I love that Sylvia Locke has a backstory.

The story eventually unfolds everything and explains why things happened the way they did and why the main character acted specifically like that in specific chapters.

Most importantly, the book and the author, teach us valuable lessons which may differ from one person to another.

Why 3.75 Stars?
There were parts I found messy and things were a bit all over the place.
Some things were left unexplained and perhaps, I will find answers as the series continues.

This is a good book, don't get me wrong. It is perfect for kids and elementary readers. Sometimes, Sylvia and her attitude were just too much for me.

And at the Epilogue, did we get a snippet of Book 2? Exciting!





--
April 02, 2024: Finished the book and will be posting a detailed review in a few days time.

Thank you BookSirens for the ARC.

[Emm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion via Booksirens.

Sylvia Locke and the Three Bears, is a delightful twist on the Goldilocks fairy tale. Sylvia is a young girl with an attitude. All she wants is a special kind of cereal, and her grandmother is attending to a busted pipe. How dare she? After a walk in the woods, Sylvia comes across the Three Bears home, and overhears them say they have the exact cereal she wants. What luck! However, getting her tummy full isn't as easy as Sylvia would like. First she meets a magic mirror, then Baby Bear's grandpa, then the neighbour. Is she ever going to get her cereal?

It's no secret that Sylvia's parents dumped her at her grandparents and never came back. So, in turn of getting the magic mirror something to eat, she's going to ask about her parents. The answer, isn't what she thought, but she's happy with it.

This book is perfect for young readers. It's 16 chapters, but they're short and sweet and to the point. The illustrations added nice details to the story, helping the story move along nicely. They were beautifully done.

All in all, it's a great book for the young reader's in your life.

Thank you, Booksirens and David Horn for allowing me to review! As always, my review is my own opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared to my Instagram @fictionluxblog shortly.

[Gèlynn (Lydia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic story, reimagined with a twist…

This book offers a unique twist on the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears, making it ideal for children who are beginning to read. The narrative is easy to follow, complemented by beautiful and entertaining illustrations. The chapters are just the right length to maintain engagement, with a delightful blend of humor and mayhem, resulting in a superbly crafted story.

The tale revolves around Sylvia Locke, a playful child living with her grandparents. Her quest for her favorite breakfast leads her on an unforgettable journey, culminating in clues about her parents' location. The open ending hints at more to come, leaving readers curious about future events.

Be on the lookout for various characters from the realm of fairy tales. This book is a treasure for early readers, embedding lessons within its simple stories. The intrigue persists until the final page, even for those familiar with the original tale. The author and illustrator have collaboratively brought this enchanting book to life.

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to read a review copy of this charming book via Booksprout and to provide my sincere feedback.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sylvia Locke and the Three Bears is a mischievous, sharp witted fractured fairy tale that turns a classic story inside out with energetic humor and heart. Sylvia Locke is wonderfully chaotic rude, rebellious, and ready to terrorize Fairy Tale Land with her break and enter schemes and unapologetically bad attitude. Yet the book never lets her one note villainy stand; instead, it guides readers through the surprising discovery of a magical mirror that challenges Sylvia to confront who she is and who she might become.

The worldbuilding sparkles with imaginative details, from magical creatures to whimsical settings, and Judit Tondora's illustrations add a lively visual charm that amplifies the humor. Beneath the laughter, the story carries a thoughtful message about loneliness, change, and the possibility of finding connection in unexpected places.

Fast-paced, funny, and filled with personality, this is a delightful early chapter book that will keep young readers entertained while sneaking in a touch of heart.

[Gmr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sylvia Locke is an interesting character, as is her situation, but her single mindedness regarding Cookie Crispies 🍪 takes the cake...err, cookie. She's bound and determined to have her sugary cereal goodness, eat it too, and not have to serve it herself. Well, she sorta gets her wish... eventually, after several adventures in criminal activity, bad choices in general, and unexpected friendships. That's right. Good can happen even if you are rumored to be cursed. 😨 Never fear, the Wizard of FLOSZ wouldn't steer us wrong, so while there is adventure to be had, there are also lessons to be learned, aside from the obvious one of breaking and entering still being wrong!

Whether you're a fan of fairytales, love a good redo, or simply enjoy time in a faraway land with a cast you'll remember, and an outcome you won't see coming, this is the tale for you!


*ecopy received for review; opinions are my own

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so, so entertained while reading this book! The first notable thing that I liked was that the main character wasn't all perfect and nice in the beginning. Sylvia was mean! And I enjoyed that because it was different! Additionally, Sylvia's meanness and sarcasm made for a lot of funny moments. As for the illustrations, I thought they were really well-done, and it was like the cherry on top of the story. I know for sure that elementary/middle-grade readers will absolutely adore this book and, eventually, this series.
Now, I only have one small note to make. I would change the ever-present marshmallow sauce to something else (i.e. maple syrup, molasses, caramel, etc.). I just think that making the marshmallow sauce something else would a) make sentences less clunky and b) make the illustrations look a lot better.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nichole Ostrander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story to my son over the course of a week. He pretend to not like it, but also asked me to continue reading it. This is a retelling of a fairytale, and I cannot wait for more. This story follows Sylvia Locke as she goes on an adventure to get the cereal she wants. She learns a lot along way. I like Sylvia’s sass and how she learns having friends is a good thing. Retelling are one of my favorite things to read,and being able to share that in an early reader form with kids is amazing. Disclaimer: I was giving a copy of this book for an honest review of my thoughts. These thoughts are mine alone.

[Crim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fast little story. It has a great lesson plot to it without taking away from the story being just a story. Great palette cleanser for me. Middle graders I think will enjoy this.

[Nevaeh Ruegger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review at Nevy's Bookshelf

[Monkeys Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It was amazing. It was so beautiful. I was hooked from the beginning. I was hanging onto every word.

[Nicole Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a great series for kids up to 12 yrs old it is an older version of the 3 bears and my 10 yr really likes them so far.

[LINDA BASS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny that my review did not get take. For an adult with adult children with adult children of their own, I don't if this book as this generation thinks that they are too cool, but I LIKED IT!