The Three Bears: A Classic Rhythmic Picture Book About Goldilocks for Children

by Byron Barton

In a rhythmic text with striking pictures, Byron Barton retells the classic fairytale of the three bears and a little girl named Goldilocks. Barton's simple words, bold images, and imaginative use of color have made his many picture books perennial favorites with very young children. Young readers will love the rhythmic refrain throughout the story. Supports the Common Core State Standards

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Animals, Fairy Tales, Classics, Juvenile

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Byron Barton is the author and illustrator of many picture books for young children. He has been honored by ALA, SLJ, and Reading Rainbow. He worked as an animator for CBS before he started creating children's books. He is currently making his illustrations completely on the computer.

Reviews

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this version of the tale, since I get younger children for my story times.12/4/12

Used for my story time and didn't have the wanderers this time. (I also had a class.)

Used in both PJ and Story Time and worked well both places. I had one lurker from the back come to the front for this story.

[Laura McLoughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations, but Kathryn enjoyed them and since she is the target audience it bumped it up from 2.5 stars to 3

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love and hate Barton's illustrations. Hate because they're a little too simple and not that attractive, but love because kids just "get" them.

[Ronan Crutchfield]

The pictures in this book are so colorful and bold. I could stare at them forever

[Jordan Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

PreK- 1st grade.
No awards.

This book is a board book of the famous Goldilocks and the three bears. The pictures are simple, but colorful. This book has a nice simple story line that students can remember and follow.

I love this book! I remember reading this book as a child!! This book has great illustrations and a great story line.

You could make a simple Felt board story for this. You could also make finger puppet or regular puppets for this book. This book is also great for a read aloud and acing out in the classroom.
Students could also talk about the main idea of the story and being a good classroom community member.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve read this one approximately two million times. Conner can now “read” it to me. Must buy a copy to be passed down I think.

[Samantha Mairson-Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are somehow startling yet vibrant and effective. The narrative stays true to the usual telling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but this version and it's special empathy for the bears (note the title's omission of Goldilocks, the scene where the bears encounter Goldilocks, and the scenes where Goldilocks is causing destructive harm to the belongings of baby bear). The empathy and emphasis is incredibly effective, and the ending is stark - leaving the reader(s) to wonder.

Did anyone else detect an allegory about race relations?

[Lara Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a straight forward rendition of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", which some may find refreshing if they feel burnt out by the popularity of re-tellings or updated versions of traditional children's stories. Sometimes just the simple original story can serve as a nice pallet cleanser.

The illustrations are simple, bright and colorful--very much in a similar style to the animation of the "Maisy" cartoon series. They may not be to an adult's taste, but children will enjoy them especially the very young, which is why I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 3.

[Mary N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regardless of the wrong messages in this classic story, I think it is important to expose the little ones to the reference of goldilocks' too hot, too cold, just right line that will pop up throughout their lives. Amongst all the retellings, this Byron Barton's one has been my favorite. It has simple, cute illustrations with straightforward story of the Goldilocks and Three Bears, perfect for all ages.

[Alaysia Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My personal reaction to this book was how cute this would be for a personal lesson to kids. My first thought is that this would be a good book for beginner readers. This is something that isn't too hard to read and has plenty of pictures. Some of the kids can make personal connections to this book.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good version of The Three Bears for young children as the illustrations are done in Barton’s signature style, primary colors in very shape format. Nothing frightening in these illustrations for young children.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" retold and illustrated by Byron Barton. This version is directed towards younger children and is therefore on the shorter side. It would work well for storytime. The illustrations are in Barton's signature style and are very nice.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The standard story. While I didn't find the book outstanding, it certainly is good, and my toddler really liked the style of the pictures.

[Sam Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An original story of the folk tale of the three bears. Who ate little bears porridge ? Who broke his chair? Whose sleeping in his bed?

[Kaelin Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. The art was juvenile, though. With that aside, I think this books is great for preschoolers and kindergarteners. I recommend it for your classroom if you are a teacher.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: Goldilocks and the three bears.

Why I Read This: It was on the books to read to your kids before kindergarten list.

Review: This was fine. It's a faithful version of the story.

[Halli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, classic version of The Three Bears with colorful illustrations.

[Fourth Grade · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book is a good book for a little kid. The book is a okay for me. In the book, the girl broke into the bear house and used things of the bears.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

solid version of the classic tale

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically Goldilocks and the 3 bears. This has okay illustrations but the story stayed true to the original.

[Audrey's Picture Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid retelling, neither the best nor the worst one out there

[Fernando Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

stelling, trying out, not-respectful

[Lia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the age range, I would consider this book to be appropriate for any reader to enjoy. I would recommend The Three Bears to beginner learner lessons that icorporate colors, numbers, and letters.

[Sally Despard]

I always have loved the story. The art is nice. There are too many words for my 1 year old grandson, but he likes listening to half the story.

[Jennifer Nortrup · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly fine retelling of the well-known story.

[Jamison Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely retelling of a popular story.

[Meaganken]

Goldilocks, Traditional Literacy, Discovery

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This straightforward retelling of the classic folktale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” is just about as bland as Mama Bear’s porridge. Simple illustrations in primary colors add to the monotony.

[Katherine C. Hirstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood favorite.

[Kalynsia Turner]

Some coming into their house.