MR. WOLF AND THE THREE BEARS

It is Baby Bear’s birthday, and Mr. Wolf (Mr. Wolf and the Pancakes, 2000) and Grandma are preparing a fine birthday party. But they know that the Three Bears are proud eaters, so they have a lot of work to do. In this new spin on classic characters, the Wolves throw together Huff Puff Cakes and stacks of sandwiches and a great big birthday cake, and then toil like demons to spiff up the house. And then who should barge through the door along with the guests of honor, but Goldilocks, the most horrific creature the woods has to offer. “ ‘What have you brought her for?’ whispered Mr. Wolf.” “There was nothing we could do,” answers Daddy Bear, noting that Goldilocks said she was invited, the little fibber. She proceeds to ruin the party, incongruously and pleasingly caught in Fearnley’s delicate and oh-so-amusing watercolors: A bad girl making mischief, snatching at all the food, ruining the games. Then Grandma Wolf suggests a game of hide-and-seek, asking that nobody go into the kitchen, which is of course directly where Goldilocks heads—and disappears. Not long thereafter, Grandma emerges with a great-looking pie: “You never know what you’ll find in the kitchen,” she says. Predictable as it turns the old standard on its head, nonetheless Goldilocks is so loathsome, and likely so recognizable, that when she gets her just deserts—offstage left, out of reader’s sight—it feels like all is right in the world. Recipes include Baby Bear’s Birthday Cake, Mommy Bear’s Sandwiches, as well as Grandma’s Golden Pie (filling of choice). If Mr. Wolf isn’t careful, he’s going to run out of fairytale characters to eat. (Picture book. 3-7)