Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale

by Lynne Marie, David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Illustrations)

A fun, shivery take on a favorite fairy tale!  
 
Forget Goldilocks and the three bears—MOLDILOCKS and the THREE SCARES are here, in a delightfully zombie-tastic new version of the popular story. Papa Scare (a monster), Mama Scare (a mummy), and Baby Scare (a vampire) live in a haunted house where they eat finger sandwiches and alpha-bat soup. One night, they go out to walk their dog (a bloodhound, of course) to let their soup cool down. While they’re away, in walks the zombie Moldilocks, looking for food, a chair, and a bed that’s just right. Kids will love this hauntingly funny story with its surprise ending!

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Family, Holiday, Zombies

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2019

About the author

Lynne Marie a multi-published author and an editor at a small press. She's the Owner/Administrator of Rate Your Story (www.rateyourstory.org), the author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten - illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School – illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic, January 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books, 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling, 2019) and Let’s Eat! Mealtimes Around the World -- illustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books, 2019), the Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project (Mac and Cheese Press 2022), The Palace Rat (Yeehoo Press, 2023), Broommates -- written with Brenda Sturgis -- art by Nico Ecenarro (The Little Press 2024) and more forthcoming. When she’s not travelling around the world, she lives in her hometown with her high school sweetheart, Anakin the Schipperke and Marlowe the Chihuahua. You can learn more about her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this retelling of this story with Moldilocks (a little zombie girl)! Wonderful art!

[Set · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moldilocks is a zombie and she goes to the monsters mansion, perfect for Halloween. The illustrations have a comic-book look and the story is a fractured twist of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

[Henry Herz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun Halloween-inspired version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I love fractured fairy tales, and Moldilocks does not disappoint. Kids will love the addition of monsters, word play, and delightful illustrations to this well-known story. Get a copy for your boy or ghoul.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is the delightfully spooky Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale, written by Lynne Marie and illustrated by David Lorenzo.

In a creepy mansion, the three Scares – Papa (a Frankenstein-esque monster), Mama (a science-loving mummy with an iconic black-and-white bouffant), and Baby (a young, ginger vampire boy), prepare for a dreadfully delicious dinner. But the Alpha-Bat soup that Papa has cooked up is still too hot, so the three take their ghost hound, Plasma, for a walk while it cools. That’s when Moldilocks, a recently risen zombie girl, comes across the mansion. Filled with warm food and cozy furniture, Moldilocks makes herself at home, testing the three Scares’ accoutrements (often finding one of them to be “just right”). Taking a nap in Baby Scare’s bed, she doesn’t hear the spooky family return to their rifled-through items and already-eaten meal. Yet when the family finds the culprit, their reaction may come as a surprise…

At first, I figured this would be a typical fairy tale with a spooky filter that you see around the holiday; nothing against them, they can be fun if done well. However, I was SO pleasantly surprised by the real twist of this tale: it’s an adoption story. Teased early in the narrative that there’s a empty space in the Scares’ lives, when they find Moldilocks in Baby’s bed, they happily welcome her into their home and declare her part of the family. It’s a surprisingly heartwarming turn that gives the otherwise fun, silly monster story some emotional weight, and introduces a bit of inclusion for non-traditional families. The “horror” elements are relatively tame; even as a “zombie”, Moldilocks isn’t decayed, nor does she hunger for brains. The illustrations are a cute sort of creepy that kids who love Halloween spookiness and puns will appreciate. The length was great, and JJ loved it. This was a delightful surprise of a book, and a festive way to remember that a family doesn’t have to be biological to be “just right”. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Michelle Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was grinning ear-to-ear the entire time I read this new-fangled fairy tale. Lynne Marie uses cleverly devilish word play to retell Goldilocks with a graveyard twist. Papa Scare (Frankenstein’s) soup is so hot “it’s boiling my bolts.” The soup makes Mama “Mummy” unravel. Moldilock’s ends up “dead asleep” in Baby Scare’s bed. Pun’s abound on the pages until they all live “hauntingly ever after.” David Rodriguez Lorenzo adds frightfully delightful details to his illustrations that will have readers pouring over each page. This book is great for Halloween, or anytime you want a fun and funny read aloud.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story similar to "Goldilocks and the three Bears". The main character (zombie) visits the house of the three scares-a mummy, a vampire, and a monster like Frankenstein referred to as the Scares. Moldilocks visits the house after sleep-walking and tastes the soup that was too hot. She explores the rooms and is there when the three scares come back from their walk is discovered as expected. But the ending is fun and unexpected. This is not a Halloween themed book but would be a good choice to read aloud to children at that time.

[Sara Fajardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It only took one read aloud and my children were hooked. We got to the last page and my littlest one insisted we read it again. That night my little one slept with the book. The next night kiddo insisted on "reading it to me" because it was so hilarious— even memorized all the fun puns. It has just enough of a spooky edge but then the surprise twist of being a book about adoption, love, and acceptance. A really wonderful addition to our home library. A fast favorite for all of us.

[Jenna Grodzicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This frightfully funny take on a classic tale is one young readers are sure to enjoy. The Three Scares take their dog for a walk while waiting for their soup to cool off. Moldilocks follows her nose to their house and climbs through the window. Thus the story unfolds in much the same way as the original. The surprise ending, however, has a much sweeter and loving tone. Filled with engaging illustrations and hilarious puns, this book is a perfect read aloud for Halloween, or any time of year!

[Robin Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the three scares, Mama Scare, Papa Scare, and Baby Scare, leave the house with their dog, Plasma, Moldilocks shows up on the scene a la Goldielocks and the three bears. But unlike the traditional tale, Lynne Marie adds super fun inclusive twist to the end. I have a feeling your own little scares will devour this book from cover to cover. I highly recommend it!

[Shannon Stocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is literally nothing I don't love about this story. More than just another fractured fairytale, MOLDILOCKS slips in themes of adoption, acceptance, and finding your place in this world. The illustrations perfectly match the creativity of the pun-filled story. Wonderful read-aloud for kids of all ages! Five stars.

[Laura Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spooky yet sweet twist on the classic Goldilocks tale. Little ones won't be too spooked by the three 'Scares' and the zombie girl who visits their house. A perfect read for Halloween with a great message of love and acceptance.

[Sophia Gholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moldilocks will thrill and delight with its spooky theme, delicious prose, and gorgeous art. Not too scary, not too light, this story is just right for readers of all ages. A great choice for themed story-times, but also perfect all year-round.

[Maria Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, perfect for Halloween, retelling of Golidlocks and the Three Bears. Even though goulish, the ending has all the feels.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So proud of this book and the way it turned out, with it's flip of the tale and the heartwarming subtext about blended families.

[Della Ferreri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this fun twist on the classic Goldilocks story! Moldilocks and the Three Scares is the perfect kid-friendly blend of humor, horror and heart!

[Lauren Kerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this fun, fresh, fantastic book!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Halloween-themed rendition of Golidlocks that will really make you laugh.

[ms. hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book! It was a cute spinoff and the kids loved it! The illustration was perfectly cute!!!

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creepy retelling of the childhood favorite "Goldilocks & The Three Bears"! A zombie named Moldilocks finds her way to the family of monsters house. Spooky illustrations that we loved. Definitely recommend it to kids of all ages especially around the Autumn/Halloween season.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our favorite books already in our house! One of the very few that we ALL love, daughter, daddy amd mommy. The story is familiar but has such a fun twist, the puns are hilarious, especially for parents, and the art is stunning!

[Candace Spizzirri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this fractured fairy tale with a twist! Just the right amount of...boo! It’s great for Halloween but really fun any time of year! Parents and kids will love it! The illustrations are perfect! Well done, Lynne Marie!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale by Lynne Marie, illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo. PICTURE BOOK. Sterling Children’s Books, 2019. $17. 9781454930617

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Three scares live in a haunted house and while their soup cools off they take a walk. While they are out walking, Moldilocks smells the soup and enters the house to try out the soup and the beds. When the three scares discover her in their house, they realize they have found an ideal addition to their family.

I really enjoyed this retelling of the Goldilocks story and am trilled to add this to our Halloween book collection. The books isn’t scary but the monsters are just creepy enough to make it a perfect fit for wide audiences.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this picture book in exchange for a review. Just in time for Halloween, this fun picture book plays on the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a spooky (but not TOO spooky) twist. The Scare family decides to go for a walk while waiting for their alpha-bat soup to cool off. Along comes Moldilocks, a zombie, and tries their soup, breaks their chairs, and falls asleep in Baby Scare's bed. The fun ending might be a good reminder to young readers that there are all kinds of families, and sometimes families get to choose new members by adopting them. This would be a good addition to a Halloween collection of books and it also might be a good mentor text for young writers trying to create their own twist on traditional fairy tales or "fractured fairy tales".

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spooky Goldilocks and the three bears. Follows the format exactly, except Moldilocks gets adopted by the family at the end. The bottom of the mama mummy's ribcage shows through a gap in her bandages, and there were a couple of instances I had to look twice to make sure it was her ribcage and not something else, hahaha.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Halloween version of Goldilocks but the ending is great. It's a tad long for a read aloud with toddlers, but Preschoolers and up I think could handle it great.

Storytime: Family. Halloween
Focus: Background Knowledge
Lessons: Retellings, Writing lesson-Ideas, Halloween fun.

[Raven Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this going to be a classic? Probably not. Will it become a favorite for you and your child? I sure hope so! This is the Goldilocks story with a Halloween/scary twist. All the beloved items are there (too hot alpha-bat stew; hard beds, soft chairs) and one sleepy ghoul. But this time, things do not end as you think they will.

Spoiler: not just for the lover of Halloween or fairy tales or Goldilocks, but also is an adoption story.


Will bring to mind The Munsters with their bi-monster family (one Frankenstein dad, one Mummy Mommy and one little ankle-biter baby).

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You could be my
lab assistant,” mused
Mama. “My nightmares
have been answered.”

In this fractured fairy tale, Lynne Marie creates a monsterly world where family is made up of who you love. Clever puns and text combine with expressive illustrations that enhance this darling story that covers themes of adoption, family, love and acceptance.

[Tracy J Hora · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a clever fractured fairy tale with themes of family, adoption and inclusion. This would be a fun new read-aloud for Halloween, though it doesn’t take place at Halloween. The main character is a zombie (Moldilocks) who finds the Scare family (Papa Scare, Mama Scare and Baby Scare). Loved the new ending to a familiar tale. The word play is "just right"!

[Andria Rosenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this incredibly inventive, twisted version of Goldilocks, a little zombie girl wanders into a haunted home (owned by Mama Scare, Daddy, Scare and Baby Scare). Moldilocks is in search of food, comfort and rest. But the heroine of this zombitastic tale ends up with much, much more. This is a fabulous, fresh twist on a timeless story. Sure to become Kids' new Halloween favorite.

[Emma Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We LOVE Halloween books in our house, and this one shot right to the top of the pile! It's a clever, fun, fast-paced take on Goldilocks and the Three Bears, with tons of spooky-funny Halloween references and a wonderful surprise twist ending. I think this would be great for preschoolers all the way up to upper-elementary kids.