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Friday, August 26, 2022

Professor Goose Debunks Goldilocks and the Three Bears, written by Paulette Bourgeois and illustrated by Alex Griffiths. Tundra, Penguin Random House. 2022. $18.99 ages 6 and up


"Some porridge was missing from her parents’
bowls, and her bowl was empty.
There was a long, curly blond hair in the empty bowl.
Papa’s and Mama’s chairs had been moved, and hers
was completely destroyed.
And a trail of muddy footprints went up the stairs
to the bedroom.
"

In this first book of a new series penned by Paulette Bourgeois, readers are introduced to Professor Marie Curious Goose who has a PhD in Very Important Science. She is an interesting one. While doing her research, Marie has discovered scientific inconsistencies in the writings of her Great-Aunt Mother Goose and others. Those works are concerning to Marie and she sets out to make sure that fans realize the mistakes made. 

She chooses Goldilocks and the Three Bears as the first fairy tale in need of scientific correction. Original in concept, the author augments the retelling with side panels that provide explanations for the notions Marie feels are debatable. From the reality of each of the porridges being too hot, too cold, and just right at the same time to why the baby bear's chair broke, she engages readers with the benefits of reading books with true science in mind. Baby bear proves that the scientific method is an apt way of working out problems faced. 

Text and art complement each other, with cartoon artwork showing expressive reactions and telling movement on the part of Marie to all that she finds mystifying about the original fairy tale's content. I will look forward to seeing the next book in the series. 

Following the tale, a craft project is provided for building a cardboard chair fit for use by a child's favorite teddy bear. My granddaughter will be all over that. She loves such projects!                                                                            

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