Book Review: GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS as retold by Mo Willems

Bibliography

Willems, Mo. GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS. Ill. by Mo Willems. New York: Balzer + Bray, 2012. ISBN: 0062104187

Plot Summary

With a twist on the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Mo Willems’s version involves Goldilocks entering the house of three hungry dinosaurs. “For no particular reason,” Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur, and a dinosaur visiting from Norway make pudding and move the furniture just so before leaving their house to hide and wait for Goldilocks. Upon entering the house, Goldilocks soon finds clues that all is not right in the house and maybe the owners are not who she thinks. Soon Goldilocks figures out that she should not be there and leaves quickly. The dinosaurs, of course, are severely disappointed that Goldilocks leaves just before they can catch her.

Critical Analysis

Mo Willems, author and illustrator, has a distinctive writing and illustrative style. He doesn’t use very many words, yet the words he chooses convey humor and irony clearly. Willems illustrations are simple line drawings, yet are essential to the story he tells in each of his books. GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS is no exception. The drawings of Goldilocks and the three dinosaurs are simple and similar to other characters in Willems’ books. The illustrations are important in helping the reader (and Goldilocks) figure out the dinosaurs’ intentions. The story is a creative and humorous adaptation to a classic story.

Review Excerpt(s)

From Booklist- “Willems has delivered his very best work so far—this is a tasty treat for kids already fluent with the original, and for any fan of funny, and everybody will want to read it again and again and again.”

From Publisher’s Weekly- “With a sense of irony (and humor) as sharp as this dinosaur trio’s talons, Willems’s retelling is a sure bet for audiences who have moved beyond more gently witty fare.”

From School Library Journal- “This is pure Mo Willems, from the many visual gags in the cleanly drawn illustrations and the tight, tongue-in-cheek story line to the endpapers .... Readers of all ages will find much to chuckle about in this wacky retelling.”

Book Connections

Read other books by Mo Willems:

DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! ISBN 0439686172

KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. ISBN 1844280594

THERE IS A BIRD ON YOUR HEAD! ISBN 1423106865

Activities for GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS:

• Do an author study of Mo Willems, read different Mo Willems books.
• Act out and retell the story of GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS.
• Write your own adaption of the classic story of Goldilocks and illustrate it.