Goldilocks and the Three Martians

My first graders liked this book - fun idea and could be used to lead them into writing another version.

Goldilocks' strict mom serves Brussel sprouts and beets and doesn't let her do the things that the rest of us moms don't let our kids do, so she builds a spaceship, fills the tank (with porridge), and heads off into space with her pet dog and cat. Each planet she tries has a flaw (too hot, too cold, too gassy, too far). Finally, she gives Mars a try. She enters a Martian house, where the standard, but interestingly different, food (Martian stew), chairs, and beds await her assessment. But this time, when the (Martian) family returns, they're only too happy to find out that someone's inside. "ALIENS FOR DINNER," they cheer as they ogle the sleeping Goldilocks "like a burger and some fries." Luckily, her pets save her and the day by getting her home, where, as her mom hugs her, she realizes that everything is "just right." A cute take on the classic story with excellent pictures and funny, witty rhymes.

Goldilocks and the Three Martians by Stu Smith and illustrated by Michael Garland has wonderful, bold and colorful pictures that really stand out and grab the readers's attention. The rhyming pattern used throughout the story is very smooth and makes for an easy read. The author has done an excellent job re-telling the original Goldilocks and the Three Bears but has spiced it up with a little more of a twist! This is a great book to read with children and it shows them that things may not always be as bad as what they seem, everything is just right!

Goldilocks and the Three Martians by Stu Smith is a fun twist on the traditional Goldilocks story. I thought the book was fun and inviting, and my kids liked it too. The lyrical text added a sing-song feel to the story, making it a great story to read aloud. Michael Garland brings the characters to life with his fantastical illustrations (we have at least one more book illustrated by him). All in all, it was a great read, great pictures that stand on their own, and a great message to the kids - "There's no place like home." We loved this book and highly recommend it to others.