Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Quick Look

This edition is out of print but a new edition is available. Please click on the cover in the carousel below.

• A classic story brought to life with wonderful detail and colour.
• Muller's intricate illustrations of squirrels, mice, birds and more will enchant parents and children alike.

A beautiful interpretation of a classic story with timeless, intricate illustrations offering wonderful extra detail for parents and children to spot together.

Description

When Goldilocks goes to collect flowers in the wood she gets lost and stumbles upon a pretty house in a clearing. She looks inside and sees a table with three chairs: a big chair, a medium chair and a little chair, and in front of each chair is a steaming bowl of porridge. The porridge smells so good, and Goldilocks is so hungry, that she opens the door and walks inside. But this house belongs to three bears: a big daddy bear, a medium mummy bear and a little baby bear -- and they'll be back soon.

This is a beautiful interpretation of a classic story. Gerda Muller's timeless, intricate illustrations offer wonderful extra detail for children to enjoy. From the very first page, she includes big, medium and little versions of birds, squirrels, mice, plates, umbrellas, slippers, and more. Children and parents will notice new things each time.

Reviews

'A beautifully illustrated version of this classic story also adds a clear lesson in manners! Goldilocks, a little girl travelling with a circus, wanders off into the woods on her own. When she finds a lovely house, she enters without thinking. She sits in the chairs, eats the porridge and then settles down for a comfy sleep in the littlest bed. The bears are forgiving but can't help asking why she didn't knock and why she entered without being invited in. It's a lesson Goldilocks will hopefully remember.'
-- Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading4kids

'A beautiful interpretation of the classic story with fabulously intricate pictures which will give extra enjoyment.'
-- Creative Steps, Spring 2011.

'This is a beautiful re-telling of a classic tale, told with lively text and atmospheric and detailed illustrations. The design has a soft, nostalgic feel which works effectively with the well-loved story. The pictures are soft-focused and charming, with the most adorable bears and many surprising details to hold children's interest throughout. This is sure to become a favourite edition for a whole new generation of young children and would make a lovely gift to treasure.'
-- Ruth Walter, Armadillo, March 2011.

'A wonderful interpretation of this classic story with timeless, intricate illustrations offering wonderful extra detail for parents and children to spot together.'
-- Tammy Dolling, March 2011

'A wonderful hardback version of the traditional tale.

There's a lesson to learn about the importance of knocking first, and beautiful illustrations of a cosy rustic home.'
--Juno, Summer 2011.

'An up-to-date re-telling of the well known story but with subtle differences and a slight unexpected twist near the end. My 5 to 7-year-old testers enjoyed spotting the changes, such as Goldilocks living in a circus caravan, and the moral with which the story ends; they liked the funny chairs and tables too.

'Many details are included, such as Mummy Bear's knitting and the furniture is all recognizably made from trees in the wood. The bears are most realistically depicted and their faces are wonderfully expressive. A charming modern version of an old favourite.'
-- Angela Lepper, School Librarian

'Children will relish the myriad small details in the artwork, including the many objects that come in threes; beekeeping stations near the house, balls along the path, piggy banks on the nightstand, bear-shaped chairbacks, bear-themed art on the walls, and bear-head umbrella handles ... While there are many versions of this story out there, here's one worth adding to collections.'
-- Booklist Online, American Library Association

'Muller's version of the three bears adds a delightful mix of tradition and the modern day ...this Goldilocks is innocent of any real wrong-doing and certainly doesn't understand that she shouldn't be there. This innocence and naiveté works well in the book, taking her character from a naughty urchin to a young explorer. Muller's illustrations are done in an understated color palette with dashes of vivacious reds. The bears' home is wonderfully traditional with a Dutch door, carved wooden chairs, and matching comforters on the beds in different colors but all with a bee motif. No one will wonder why Goldilocks enters and stays. It is all so very inviting and cozy ... This is a cheery and slightly modernized version of the traditional story that will be welcome in library collections or as a great bedtime pick.'
-- Wakingbraincells blog

Author

Gerda Muller was born in 1926 in Naarden, Holland. She attended the Fine Arts School of Amsterdam and later on, Ecole Estienne of Paris. She illustrated over 120 books for children and worked with many publishers. Her books have been translated in many languages. She is the illustrator of four board books for younger children, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, and Where Do They Go When It Rains? (all Floris Books).

Links

Also by Gerda Muller, two wonderful picture books about children exploring the natural world:
Where Do They Go When It Rains?
A Year Around the Great Oak

Also available by Gerda Muller, a series of chunky board books without text for children aged 1-4:
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter