Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas is an exceptional version/fractured tale (Goldilocks and the 3 Bears). The recipes are an added bonus and the inclusion of cultural facts makes it that much better. I am recommended this book to some educators today!

“Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas” written by Natasha Yim and illustrated by Grace Zong I love this picture book! Natasha Yim introduces the Chinese New Year to young readers by retelling a classic for children “Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

This is a MUST HAVE for teachers, teaching readers about Chinese New Year, and the deeper message friendship, and forgiveness.

The illustrations, by Grace Zong, are Bright and fun matched perfectly with the story. Something that stood out too me was that the author went the extra mile with this book adding Chinese New Year, the Chinese Zodiac, and even a recipe for turnip cakes!

What a very playful and thoughtful rendering of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I really liked it. From the storyline to the illustrations, this book was a colorful, creative work. The author's note was helpful and helped me better understand the cultural significance of what was in the book.

I am strong advocate for diversity in books. This re-tell of Goldylocks and the Three bears is a perfect example of how diversity can be part of any children's story. Not only does Goldy Luck story explores Chinese culture but it also, in my opinion, gives a better ending to the story as Goldy Luck tries to mend her wrongs.
The idea of "switching" bears for pandas is adorable and the fact that no one finds it strange helps to the whole magic of the tale. The illustrations are beautiful and the favored Chinese gold and red is present in many pages. A fantastic addition to any child's library.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a Chinese twist. Very cute.
This would be great for a K/1 compare/contrast activity!

I have been wanting to get this book for the library I work at for ages but we haven't yet. When I saw it pop up on NetGalley I jumped on it and am glad I did. This book is basically an Asian version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears but oh so much cuter. I have never truly gotten the point behind Goldilocks but with Goldy Luck not only was it cuter but it was clearer. The pictures and story were amazingly done.

I don't think that I've ever seen an alternate version of the Three Bears story. This was really pretty cool. I also liked the way she went back and made amends. This would work with both a fairy tale unit or a China unit. It would also be fun in an older grade as a compare and contrast.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My three girls love reading, so when I received the opportunity to read Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas. This is a picture book written by Natasha Yim and illustrated by Grace Zong.

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas is a modern version of the classic fairytale Goldilocks that also incorporates elements of Chinese New Year celebrations. When Goldy is asked to go next door to take turnip cakes to the Chan family, she discovers that no one is at home. She helps herself to their congee (rice porridge), sits in their chairs, and sleeps in their beds. When the Chan family returns, they are surprised to discover that their house is in shambles, and even more surprised to find Goldy sleeping in Little Chan’s bed. Goldy runs away, but then she feels bad about what she has done. Goldy returns to the house, apologizes, and realizes that he has more in common with Little Chan than she thought she did.

The illustrations are wonderful. My girls and I thought it was especially fun that there is a parade/celebration for Chinese New Year going on in the background in many of the pictures. Goldy also has some hilarious facial expressions as she experiences the pandas’ house, as does the Chan family when they return to their home. Holiday decorations are on display in both homes, and Goldy’s house is full of panda themed items, from stuffed animals to lamps.

This was such a wonderful story. Putting the story in a modern context makes it easier to relate to Goldy. My girls thought it was very funny that Mr. Chan’s chair was a massage chair, and there was definitely a unique spin on the traditional formula. My girls and I also learned a lot about Chinese New Year; they knew a little about the holiday because my oldest daughter received a red envelope from her friend who lives down the street. There is a recipe for turnip cakes at the end of the story, and the girls are excited about trying the recipe.

One of the things that we learned the most about is that it is important to start the new year on the right foot to avoid bad luck. We celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and these holidays also emphasize forgiveness and redemption to ensure a prosperous year. It was very enlightening to discover that these themes transcend cultural boundaries.

We all want our children to grow up with good values, and so I appreciate books where basic themes where characters acknowledging wrongdoing. Making mistakes is inevitable, but it’s important that we make things right.

I would absolutely recommend Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas. This book is perfect for older preschoolers as well as children in the early years of elementary school. In the traditional Goldilocks story, the little burglar is either devoured by the bears, or she absconds, leaving the bears with a messy house. Goldy Luck returns to the house, and by apologizing, she ensures that she will have a good year. This is a relevant message for all of us.
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This book uses the Chinese New Year as the setting for an amended telling of the Goldilocks story. Brightly illustrated, and supported by an explanation of Chinese New Year customs and a recipe, this is a fun story with a positive moral.
I would enjoy sharing it in our school both as an alternative fairy tale and as a storybook to accompany Chinese New Year awareness. Although American, I think this book can be successfully appreciated in an English school or family.

Review will be posted December 4 Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas is a spin on Goldie Locks and the Three Bears with a Chinese New Year spin! Goldy Luck doesn't have all that much luck or weath, even though her parents thought she would when she was born. Her mom asks her to go to the neighbors to wish them a happy new year but they are not home. She neds up dropping the turnip cakes that she brought over, tries all of the Chan's congee, breaks a chair and ends up asleep in Little Chan's bed. When the Chans get home she runs off startled but once she gets home she realizes that she needs to go back over and apologize and make the mistakes that she made right.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

Think you know the tale of Goldilocks and the three bears? Think again! Both pictures and story bringing a Chinese twist to this popular fairytale. I did make a face at what Goldy Luck eats because it isn't quite as nice as porridge (not to me...). I enjoyed the reason why the pandas were out, looking at the action in the background (often through the window) and I thought how Goldy Luck became friends with them and made up for minor crimes sweet. I happily stared for more than a mere glance at the illustrations, they each tell their own tale and had me wondering what other areas of the pandas' lives were like. Now I'm eager to read other Chinese/different country centered tales!

*I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*

This retelling of Goldylocks is beyond adorable. I love that it brings the culture of China into this book. It really gives children a chance to see how other cultures celebrate. The pictures are just beautiful and the main character is a kid I can imagine falling in love with. She is naughty, going into the Panda Bear's home, but she makes amends in the end and finds her luck in a new friend. Very cute book that both my kids (aged 6, 7, and 9) and I enjoyed it very much.

I will share this review a little closer to it's release date on my personal blog. Will update with direct link at that time (http://betsys4.blogspot.com/)

My grand daughter and I found Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas a delightful spin on an old classic. We discussed cultural differences between Chinese New Year and our New Year and different foods and even gave the Turnip Cakes a try. Yum!!

An interesting twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears taken from the Chinese New Year type of setting. Goldy does not have a lot of luck though and causes all sorts of problems while trying to drop off goodies at her neighbors house. The fun twists that this story takes will remind you of the original and make you laugh at some of the antics that take place.

super Cute!