What do you think?
Rate this book
Goldilocks
A cozy tale about Goldilocks, three very hungry bears, and a delicious berry-filled surprise.
Beloved illustrator Ruth Sanderson offers a fresh, heartwarming twist to the classic story. In the new happy ending, Goldilocks makes up for her presumptuous infractions on the Three Bears' household by helping them make muffins with the berries she's picked from the woods near their home. Charming artwork- topped off with a tried-and-true recipe for homemade blueberry muffins- makes this new edition of Goldilocks a story time treasure that is just right.
Beloved illustrator Ruth Sanderson offers a fresh, heartwarming twist to the classic story. In the new happy ending, Goldilocks makes up for her presumptuous infractions on the Three Bears' household by helping them make muffins with the berries she's picked from the woods near their home. Charming artwork- topped off with a tried-and-true recipe for homemade blueberry muffins- makes this new edition of Goldilocks a story time treasure that is just right.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
88 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 27, 2020
The classic story of Goldilocks, a young girl who happens upon the home of the three bears, and is overcome by curiosity, is here retold by Ruth Sanderson, whose previous fairy-tale projects include
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
and
Cinderella
. As Papa, Mama and Baby Bear enjoy a stroll, Goldilocks helps herself to their porridge, tries out their chairs, and makes use of their beds. But what will happen when they return...?
Described on the dust-jacket as "a cozy tale," this retelling provides a happy ending, complete with repentant Goldilocks, cute-as-a-button Baby Bear, and tea with blueberry muffins. A recipe for the muffins in included at the rear. The overall effect of all of this, and of Sanderson's illustrations - in which everyone seems to be wearing some kind of folk costume - is one of almost overwhelming cuteness. The simple truth is: this adaptation was just a little too cozy for my taste, and I found myself wishing for something a little darker, some hint of real danger.
Described on the dust-jacket as "a cozy tale," this retelling provides a happy ending, complete with repentant Goldilocks, cute-as-a-button Baby Bear, and tea with blueberry muffins. A recipe for the muffins in included at the rear. The overall effect of all of this, and of Sanderson's illustrations - in which everyone seems to be wearing some kind of folk costume - is one of almost overwhelming cuteness. The simple truth is: this adaptation was just a little too cozy for my taste, and I found myself wishing for something a little darker, some hint of real danger.
December 18, 2009
Lovely Sanderson art--as pretty as Jan Brett's but not so busy-busy. Better still, she has extended the usual 3 Bears tale to give it a satisfying (and delicious) ending.
January 9, 2020
I read this countless times as a child — could almost quote it word for word as I re-read it now.
Still so classic, the illustrations are so cozy and adorable. Love that it includes a recipe at the end.
Still so classic, the illustrations are so cozy and adorable. Love that it includes a recipe at the end.
September 21, 2019
I'm not surprised that the illustrations are gorgeous, everyone knows how much Ruth Sanderson loves to draw blonde people. The story strays a bit towards the end because she must atone for her actions instead of running away; the drawings are very darling.
January 15, 2021
This was a cute book. Nice illustrations and a surprise blueberry muffins recipe in the back and now I want blueberry muffins!!!
October 20, 2011
In this story Goldilocks is in the woods picking blueberries when she finds a house which belongs to Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear. She knocks but no one answers so she goes in and walks around. First she tries their porridge and eats all of Baby Bear's. Then she uses their rocking chairs and ends up breaking Baby Bear's. Finally she finds their beds and falls asleep in the smallest one. The bears come back and find their house a mess. They find Goldilocks asleep in Baby Bear's bed. She wakes up and the bears have her make the beds. Then Goldilocks decides to help Mama Bear make a cushion for Baby Bear's chair which she broke. When Goldilocks is about to leave, the bears exclaim that they're hungry. Goldilocks was afraid they were going to eat her so she offered them her blueberries. The bears decide to make blueberry muffins with them and they all enjoy them together.
I feel like the quality of plot was just okay. There was a distinct beginning, middle and end but nothing exciting happened. I think the story could have used more details or something to capture attention better.
I'd say the age range is primary. The words are not difficult and definitely easy enough for 5-8 year olds. The plot isn't hard for them to understand, however, it might be boring for them.
The illustrations are very detailed. They look like they've been drawn or painted. The colors are very basic and not very bright but they are very realistic. The illustrations take up the entire page which is nice because it offers a larger view of the setting. The text is normal Times New Roman which is nice because it doesn't take away the attention from the illustrations.
Because this book is a classic, I would recommend it; just because I think everyone should read Goldilocks at least once. However, because of the boring plot I wouldn't recommend it to be read to a class. I think it would be better suited as a bedtime story when the energy is already decreasing. In fact, it might help the child fall asleep. ; )
I feel like the quality of plot was just okay. There was a distinct beginning, middle and end but nothing exciting happened. I think the story could have used more details or something to capture attention better.
I'd say the age range is primary. The words are not difficult and definitely easy enough for 5-8 year olds. The plot isn't hard for them to understand, however, it might be boring for them.
The illustrations are very detailed. They look like they've been drawn or painted. The colors are very basic and not very bright but they are very realistic. The illustrations take up the entire page which is nice because it offers a larger view of the setting. The text is normal Times New Roman which is nice because it doesn't take away the attention from the illustrations.
Because this book is a classic, I would recommend it; just because I think everyone should read Goldilocks at least once. However, because of the boring plot I wouldn't recommend it to be read to a class. I think it would be better suited as a bedtime story when the energy is already decreasing. In fact, it might help the child fall asleep. ; )
December 27, 2014
Though I honestly cannot recall how most versions of Goldilocks end, I can say that I know this wasn't it. Not only does Goldilocks help clean up the beds(because she was told to) and fix Baby Bear's chair(she voluntarily did this), she also partakes in tea and blueberry muffins, having supplied the blueberries herself (though only for fear of the bears eating her). The question is, do we think that she learned anything from her massive breach of manners? It's a toss-up. Let us hope that if she forgets her manners again, it isn't in a wolverine's den.
November 16, 2013
A very enjoyable retelling of the "Three Bears "story, this book provides a great opportunity to ham it up with some storytelling "voices" for the three Bears. Fun to pair with a more traditional retelling of the Goldilocks story, this one has a little moment of suspense where you wonder if the Bears will eat Goldilocks, and a bit of redemption as Goldilocks makes good for the mess that she's made.
January 23, 2015
Goldilocks and the three bears with a twist at the end. Goldilocks makes the beds, helps to fix the broken chair, and after some suspense sits down for tea and blueberry muffins with the bears. I did an oral retelling of this story with the class and they seemed to like it. Mostly it was for Audrey, who loves this story and requested it! I made the blueberry muffin recipe at the end for the class and it was good!
February 21, 2019
This book is a very traditional and classic tale of goldilocks and the 3 bears with a very happy ending. The girl wonders into a bears home and tries their porridge, chair, and bed and falls asleep. The family comes in to find her and is very hospitable. She stays there and eats muffins with them and helps them fix the things she's broken. I would use this for primary grades as it's a fun take in the story most have heard. Though I would also use this in older grades to look at the differences between the classical and this one. (Assignment #2)
February 25, 2019
This is the traditional Goldilocks and the Three Bears story, but with a better ending. Instead of Goldilocks running out of the house and never mentioning an apology or thank-you, this story has Goldilocks fix what she has broken and help replace the food she ate. This story gives a better moral and ending than the other Goldilocks tales and I would use this in my classroom to talk about fixing the things that you have broken or messed up. Age level: 2nd grade and up.
March 29, 2021
Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade: K-3
This is the classic tale but it has a new ending! This was a fun story to act out and be surprised by the ending of the story. There is also a recipe for blueberry muffins in the back that would be a great activity to connect with the book. The illustrations are classic and beautifully done with lots of detail. Overall it was an engaging story based on the classic tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Grade: K-3
This is the classic tale but it has a new ending! This was a fun story to act out and be surprised by the ending of the story. There is also a recipe for blueberry muffins in the back that would be a great activity to connect with the book. The illustrations are classic and beautifully done with lots of detail. Overall it was an engaging story based on the classic tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
September 17, 2018
As well as being gorgeous and including maximum repetitive text, this version takes the moral higher ground. Instead of screaming and leaping from the window, Goldilocks stays to fix things up, including making blueberry muffins to satisfy Baby Bear's very empty stomach. Bonus for keeping busy preschoolers happy: the recipe is included.
October 10, 2024
Sanderson’s version touches upon Goldilock’s rudeness upon entering a house that doesn’t belong to her. In this retelling, Goldilocks rights all her wrongs with the bear family. Overall, a cutesy version appropriate for young children with a hint of suspense whether the bears will decide to eat Goldilocks or not in the end. Contains blueberry muffin recipe accompanying ending.
November 13, 2017
Genre: Traditional Fantasy
Grade: K-1
Review:
I loved the twist this book had. It is not like the typical story most children hear. This book has a much happier ending and is more child friendly. It would be a good book to use with younger children since it is more suitable for them.
Grade: K-1
Review:
I loved the twist this book had. It is not like the typical story most children hear. This book has a much happier ending and is more child friendly. It would be a good book to use with younger children since it is more suitable for them.
February 8, 2018
It seemed like the same story of Goldilocks until the little bear found Goldilocks in his bed. The ending of the story was a cute surprise and new from any Goldilocks story I had read before. I really liked it. Beautiful illustrations, too!
October 9, 2019
I enjoyed this book because instead of Goldilocks running away, she helped to clean up the mess that she made and made blueberry muffins with the bears. I thought that this was a really nice twist to the story.
May 14, 2020
A reviewer commented that Sanderson's art is as pretty as Jan Brett's, but not as busy. That is so true! And it's a reason I like this version of Goldilocks. Plus the ending is fun to read to the PreK audience.
July 31, 2020
Sanderson's artwork is the main attraction here. Otherwise it is a pretty middling telling of Goldilocks and the Three (very understanding and apparently vegetarian) Bears.
The recipe at the end was a cute addition that I would have loved as a kid.
The recipe at the end was a cute addition that I would have loved as a kid.
November 16, 2022
Loved the illustrations; however, I don't thini the moral of the story (to not intrude) comes across that strongly when the Bears invite Goldilocks to make muffins with them at the end. The book also includes a recipe in the back which looked fun to try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2025
I don't love the story or Goldilocks, but if I had to pick a favorite version this would be it! As always Ruth Sanderson's illustrations are lovely. I did like that in the version Goldilocks helps clean up, repair, and make restitution for what she has done.
January 23, 2026
Goldilocks by Ruth Sanderson – I have always thought this Goldilocks must have used a lot of mousse to make her hair curl without even a flicker of frizz! This is what I wanted my curls to look like lol! Happy Reading!
September 15, 2019
Goldilocks with restorative justice , and a blueberry muffin recipe!
August 19, 2020
I was cheering for the bears
November 2, 2021
We loved the illustrations and the alternative ending.
November 9, 2021
My boys loved the clever ending and made their own version with a similar ending. we even tried the blueberry muffin recipe.
October 27, 2016
My Review:
1. No awards are noted for this book.
2. This book is suitable for PreK-3rd grade (around 4-8 years old).
3. Goldilocks was picking blueberries in the woods one day and all of a sudden she stumbles upon a cottage that she has never seen before. She goes into the cottage and drinks some porridge, sat in some chairs and slept in some beds. Some of them were too hot/cold, too big/small, too hard/soft or it would be just perfect. Eventually, the bears (the animals that lived in the cottage) came home and caught her sleeping in Little Bear's bed. Goldilocks helped clean up the mess she made and they ended up baking blueberry muffins together.
4. I enjoyed this version of Goldilocks. It kept things simple, and I feel that the repetition of the book would greatly assist students that are in their early stages of reading and it would help them excel. I also liked how Ruth Sanderson showed Goldilocks cleaning up after herself and showing that she has responsibilities.
5. There are many possible in class uses for this book. For instance, at the end of the book, there is a recipe for 'Papa Bear's Blueberry Muffins' that students can use. They could all make muffins following the recipe in the book which forces them to do some math and measure the right amount ingredients as well. Also, the point in the beginning of the book when Goldilocks went into the Bears' home without asking can be brought up. The question of whether or not that was the right thing to do can be brought up and the whole concept of having manners at home and at school can be taught. The teacher could teach about feelings and emotions and refer back to when the bears found out that someone has been in their home without their permission compared to their attitude towards Goldilocks at the end of the book.
1. No awards are noted for this book.
2. This book is suitable for PreK-3rd grade (around 4-8 years old).
3. Goldilocks was picking blueberries in the woods one day and all of a sudden she stumbles upon a cottage that she has never seen before. She goes into the cottage and drinks some porridge, sat in some chairs and slept in some beds. Some of them were too hot/cold, too big/small, too hard/soft or it would be just perfect. Eventually, the bears (the animals that lived in the cottage) came home and caught her sleeping in Little Bear's bed. Goldilocks helped clean up the mess she made and they ended up baking blueberry muffins together.
4. I enjoyed this version of Goldilocks. It kept things simple, and I feel that the repetition of the book would greatly assist students that are in their early stages of reading and it would help them excel. I also liked how Ruth Sanderson showed Goldilocks cleaning up after herself and showing that she has responsibilities.
5. There are many possible in class uses for this book. For instance, at the end of the book, there is a recipe for 'Papa Bear's Blueberry Muffins' that students can use. They could all make muffins following the recipe in the book which forces them to do some math and measure the right amount ingredients as well. Also, the point in the beginning of the book when Goldilocks went into the Bears' home without asking can be brought up. The question of whether or not that was the right thing to do can be brought up and the whole concept of having manners at home and at school can be taught. The teacher could teach about feelings and emotions and refer back to when the bears found out that someone has been in their home without their permission compared to their attitude towards Goldilocks at the end of the book.
June 11, 2011
This version of the classic tale of Goldilocks is a bit different than you probably remember.
Author Ruth Sanderson begins the story traditionally and with the repetition that we have all grown to expect. Goldilocks breaks chairs, eats porridge, and eventually falls asleep in the bed of one of the ‘three bears’.
The bears arrive home to the mess and are dismayed – but the story takes a very different turn. Instead of running away, Goldilocks instead meets with a different fate. The three bears insist that she make their beds and help put together their chairs. In the end, there is a page of suspense where you feel as though Goldilocks will get eaten – but instead she ends up making blueberry muffins with the bears, and the recipe is included in the back of the book.
While the tale has beautiful, whimsical illustrations, the ending feels a bit forced. Sanderson went perhaps one step too far in her attempt to make the tale a bit friendlier to children.
Author Ruth Sanderson begins the story traditionally and with the repetition that we have all grown to expect. Goldilocks breaks chairs, eats porridge, and eventually falls asleep in the bed of one of the ‘three bears’.
The bears arrive home to the mess and are dismayed – but the story takes a very different turn. Instead of running away, Goldilocks instead meets with a different fate. The three bears insist that she make their beds and help put together their chairs. In the end, there is a page of suspense where you feel as though Goldilocks will get eaten – but instead she ends up making blueberry muffins with the bears, and the recipe is included in the back of the book.
While the tale has beautiful, whimsical illustrations, the ending feels a bit forced. Sanderson went perhaps one step too far in her attempt to make the tale a bit friendlier to children.
September 21, 2016
I think this book is a good representation of the original Goldilocks folk tale. I enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book because they made me feel like I was back in the time that the story took place in. The clothing the characters where in were very traditional and appropriate for the story. The illustrations were what I was most drawn to in the book. I think the story did the original one justice and the lesson learned is what I will carry with me. I would recommend the book to others because it is a good rendition of the folk tale and the illustrations were appealing and creative. I could use this book in my classroom to teach the students about the original story because it is an easy read for younger children and I think that it has a good moral to learn.
February 11, 2010
My daughter and I loved this retelling of the classic fairy tale, where Goldilocks gets a chance to make up for her rudeness - she makes the beds she sleeps in, helps fix baby bear's chair, and donates her basket of blueberries to help make blueberry muffins for the bears' breakfast (after gobbling their porridge). Lovely illustrations reminiscent of Jan Brett.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews