GOLDIE IS MAD

A time-out gives an irate tot a chance to ponder the finer aspects of sibling relationships. When her little brother generously soaks her favorite doll with drool, Goldie has a towering tantrum that results in a visit to the time-out chair. At first, Goldie is defiantly unrepentant, vehemently wishing that Nicholas would go away. However, this thought, once vocalized, causes her to stop and consider a life without her baby brother. Suddenly, she discovers a host of endearing qualities about him: gleeful bouts of silliness, delicious just-been-washed baby smells, and exuberant hugs. Palatini (Good as Goldie, 2000, etc.) skillfully takes the reader through the gamut of emotions associated with a tantrum, successfully clueing readers (and perhaps even their caregivers) in to the purpose of a time-out chair. Text and artwork are deftly integrated to convey the shifting tenor of the tale. Goldie’s angry words and emotions are done in oversized fonts and livid red, aptly conveying the fierceness of her feelings. Comical illustrations, depicting Goldie in high dudgeon are uproariously funny. Generously colored and situated on a plain white background, the simplicity of the drawings keep the attention on Goldie’s feelings. Although highly idealized—if only all toddler tantrums ran such a smooth course—Goldie’s tale of woe and redemption is perfect for young readers learning how to manage their own roiling emotions. (Picture book. 2-5)