Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians

by Jackie Mims Hopkins, John Manders (Illustrator)

Avid reader Goldie Socks wanders into a house made of books, and she must find just the right book and right reading spot.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Animals, Books About Books, Storytime, Fractured Fairy Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Jackie Mims Hopkins is a storyteller, a school librarian and a former teacher. She is the author of several children's books, including The Three Armadillies Tuff and The Gold Miner's Daughter. She lives in Texas.

Reviews

[Steve Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my kiddos today as I opened up our reading area and bookshelves for them. I've used this one for several years now in doing so. This is very creative and cute, and makes for a very good read aloud with the dialogue from the three bears. The illustrations are appealing to kids, and it always gets some laughs while reviewing the 5-finger rule and proper library etiquette. All of these things are extremely important in a classroom and library!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this with 1st and 2nd to talk about picking a just right book.

[Luther Cobbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q

[Allison Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRADITIONAL LITERATURE
Title: Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians. Author: Jackie Hopkins.

How would you describe the plot? A library themed twist on the classic goldie locks story.

How would you describe the characters? A blonde little girl and three bears.

What is the main conflict? Goldie is reading all the books.

What is the main theme? Sharing.

How would you describe the author’s style? This story is a classic and has been revisited many times over the years. This is just one of the versions that exist.

What point of view does the author use? Third person.

Share your thoughts on the design and layout of the book. I really enjoy the classics. This one was really nostalgic for me.

What lessons could you teach with this text? This would be a good book to practice identifying conflict and other parts of the story with.

Please provide at least two of the Arkansas State Standards you would use in a lesson.
RL.K.4 Craft and Structure. Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.

L.K.5 Vocabulary Acquisition and Use. With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings. L.K.5.A Sort common objects into categories (e.g., shapes, foods) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent.

What is your overall assessment of the book?
It's a classic that has survived throughout the years. I recommend it.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might not be everyone's cup of tea but great for lovers of books. The story is a re-telling of Goldilocks but very much orientated around books and ends with them all reading together.

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Morgan Castro]

This book is a twist on the traditional story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It still involves bears, but these ones live in a library and help Goldie Socks understand how to find an interesting and appropriate book to read. I appreciate the educational aspect of it and it would be helpful to read to children who may struggle with finding reading enjoyable. I would recommend this book for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am the three libearians at work... though I don't smile at the patrons for making a mess of the library ;-) But I do smile at them for coming in and reading books... but seriously, put your stuff back correctly ;-)

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this variation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Goldie Socks takes a shortcut through the forest and ends of up at a building made of books. She tries to find a "just right" book and place to read - then the 3 libearians return! Cute twist on a classic fairy tale.

[J.D. Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful take on a classic fairy tale. And it is wonderful for teaching children how to find the "just-right" book. Pro tip, Scholastic book fairs have free printable bookmarks in the fair files about the five-finger test. Print them out for students or patrons!

[Megan Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book to my own 3 little bears in the doctors office waiting room. It was so much fun, especially since we're a book-loving family. Fun play on words that makes all my libRarian friends squirm! Hehe. So hard to find my own copy though!!

[Kary · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect for introducing the five finger rule and library etiquette

[Amy Hesterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this every year in the Lib to my 2nd graders and they love it!!!!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute take on the three bears story that covers finding good fit books. Great start of school year book.

[M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable re-telling of Goldilocks and the three bears -- with a twist! Librarians will enjoy reading it to students and hearing their reactions to this updated and bookish version.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite for teaching fluency!

[Set · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why it's Goldie Socks instead of Goldie Locks? It's not like she was illustrated without blonde hair. I'm not sure why the bears had to comment about their missing books twice. Why did she go through six books instead of three, it's very confusing. And lastly, I'm not sure why these fairy tale re-tellings eliminate the moral of the story. The lesson of Goldie Locks if that you shouldn't go into strangers house and sample and touch things that are not yours. With this retelling, it gives the opposite message that it's okay to do all these things in someone else's house. I think it would have been better if the setting was in an actual library and she was finding something that felt just right. Goldie goes into the bears house and goes through their books and reclining chairs and decides on what feels just right for her. The illustrations are nice and childish.

[Rosa Guerrero]

Summary: In a forest, a little girl named Goldie Socks finds a storybook cottage. When she looks inside, she finds shelves and shelves filled with books. As she searches for the one that is just right and a comfortable place to read it, Mama, Papa and Baby Libearian discover that someone has been in their house.

Illustrator: John Manders

Evaluations of illustrations and text: Through the book it is easy to follow what is going on because it follows what it is being said. Some pages may have some chunks, or small paragraphs of words and it is more appropriate for older kids.

Strategies of the classroom: Since this book consists of more words and harder language it can be a good idea to have students make a bulletin board. Doing this can can have students think of ideas of how to teach it to younger children.

[Aleasha Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable twist on the original “Goldie Locks” story adds a book lover flare to the mix. The story aligns with the original curiosity of Goldie and how it gets her into some trouble. But because of the love for reading and the love of books is the epitome of what these “libearians” feel in their hearts, Goldie doesn’t end up any trouble at all. This story is just absolutely a book lovers dream on a classic fairy tale.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun retelling of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with a twist--the bears are librarians. The author works in some surprisingly subtle puns and I especially enjoyed the ending. "Goldie Socks looked up from her book and saw the big sharp teeth of the three librarians. . .smiling at her." And then they read a book together. Yup. That's a librarian for you.

[Brittney Lozano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a fun, academic twist to the classic fairy tale of Goldie Locks and The Three Bears. The book has three bears with a different dialog than the original which makes them sound more sophisticated. This would be a fun read-aloud for students when teaching them how to enjoy reading and finding those books that are "just right."

[Heather Gunnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Staff Pick
Heather

This is the perfect book-lover's version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. See what happens when Goldie finds the home of the book-loving libearians and makes herself comfortable with a good book.

[Kenson and kirra · Rating 1 out of 5]

my 5 year old didn't like this one. i thought it was ok. he said that he found it too confusing was it a house or a library. personally i didn't like the way they misspelled librarian. i do however see the point.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute. The story is based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears only the bears are librarians and Goldilocks goes into their house, which looks like a book. She talks about the five finger rule for finding a book that is just right.

[Christy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story that mimics Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This is a good book to read at the beginning of school in the library. I teaches the 5 finger rule on choosing a book and how to treat and resell books in the library.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful twist on the traditional story. This one revolves around reading and books and finding the book that's right for you.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this looking for a good book to read to my library students for back to school. The first graders liked it, but didn't love it.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a fun take on the classic fairy tale, adding a lesson for children about choosing a book that is a good fit.

[April Grob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and a great spin on the original Goldilocks and the Three Bears!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's book on choosing a good book.

[Tara Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute retelling of a classic. My five year old enjoyed it very much.