Goldie and the Three Hares

by Margie Palatini, Jack E. Davis (Illustrator)

Overview

The Hare family—Papa, Mama, andLittle Baby Hare—are enjoying a peacefulday in their rabbit hole until they heara big THUMP outside their door. Thethump is Goldilocks herself, who hasfallen down the rabbit hole after beingchased by the Three Bears.

(I think you know why those bearswere chasing her.)

The Hare family is happy to helpthe girl, who has hurt her foot. But asyou might imagine, Goldie is not a verygood houseguest. She is tough to please,since every chair is too hard, too soft, orotherwise not just right.

(If you were the Hares, you mightagree that Goldilocks is loud, obnoxious,and demanding.)

But when Goldie is finally comfy-cozyin the Hares’ rabbit hole, how are theyever going to get her to leave?

Margie Palatini and Jack E. Davisbring a hilarious, just-right twist to thenursery classic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061253140
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/25/2011
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	446,590
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Margie Palatini is the author of many outrageously funny books for children, including Piggie Pie!, illustrated by Howard Fine; Moosetache, Mooseltoe, and the Bad Boys series, all illustrated by Henry Cole; The Cheese, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher; No Biting, Louise, illustrated by Matthew Reinhart; and Gorgonzola, illustrated by Tim Bowers. She lives with her family in New Jersey.

Jack E. Davis has illustrated two picture books by Daniel Pinkwater: The Picture of Morty and Ray and Yo-yo Man. Other books he has illustrated include the New York Times bestseller Marsupial Sue by John Lithgow. He is a recipient of the New York Society of Illustrators Gold Medal Award for Humor. He lives and paints goofy pictures in Port Townsend, Washington.

Editorial Reviews

What happened to Goldilocks after she fled the three bears' house? According to this very funny fractured fairy tale, she fell down a rabbit hole and into The Man Who Came to Dinner, where she turned into a mop-top Sheridan Whiteside. Having injured her foot in her tumble, Goldilocks must shack up with the well-meaning Hare family until she's mobile again. But the Good Samaritans quickly sour in the face of Goldilocks's diva demands—nabbing prime real estate on the sofa and forcing Little Baby Hare to serve as a living TV antenna. What will it take to make this ungrateful guest say "Arrivederci"? Both Papa and Mama Hare's ideas only further entrench Goldilocks; clearly, it takes a kid rabbit to get to the heart of the matter. Palatini and Davis, who previously collaborated on Bedhead and Sweet Tooth, again prove that they share the same irreverent wavelength. The zingy prose begs for full-throttled performance ("Watch that tootsie! Don't muss the hair!" crows Goldilocks), and there are plenty of visual laughs in both the Hares' wide-eyed, innocent dismay and Goldilocks' overweening narcissism. Ages 4–7. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 3—In this continuation of the familiar tale, Goldilocks falls down a rabbit hole after running away from the Bears' house and injures her foot. She's an unwanted guest at the Hares', as she's big and bossy and spoiled. Even something simple like asking for a blanket gets complicated. "Too scratchy. Too itchy. Too big. Too little. Too hot. Way too skimpy! Actually, I prefer cashmere." The Hares try their best to get rid of her, even inviting their friend Sherman Skunk to visit. But it takes something a little more intimidating to make her leave, which of course she eventually does. There's a nice little grace note at the end involving an English girl named Alice. The fast-paced plot, mild gross-out details (she drools while she naps on their couch), and funny language will keep readers entertained. The colorful cartoon pictures offer lots of visual humor and interest as well. Overall, a fun and lighthearted story.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

School Library Journal