Review: Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

In this Chinese American retelling of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," a careless Goldy Luck wreaks havoc on the home of a family of panda bears. She eats up the littlest panda's rice porridge, breaks his rocking chair, and rumples all the blankets on his futon. When Goldy takes responsibility for her actions, she makes a new friend (and a whole plate of turnip cakes!) just in time for Chinese New Year.

MY TAKE:
I am fond of fairy tale re-imaginings, and this one was a nice modern update on the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

In Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas, Goldy Luck is told by her mom to go over to the Chans' (the pandas) house and bring them some turnip cakes. As she ventures inside their house, she unintentionally drops the turnip cakes, and the story begins.

I thought this was a pretty clever idea. The basics of it are the same, but there are a few tweaks here and there to modernize the story and fit it into the Chinese New Year story line. For example, instead of bears, Goldy Luck visits pandas. Also, instead of porridge, the bears have congee. The chairs in the story are also the type you are likely to see in homes these days.

I also enjoyed the Chinese New Year-related activities mentioned in the story. For kids and adult readers who don't know much about Chinese New Year, the author's note includes some information about it, as well the Chinese zodiac. There's also a recipe for turnip cake, if you want to give it a try.

Overall, this was a very nice story with a positive lesson that kids can learn from.

Thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. It's a more relatable version of the Goldilocks story.
2. There's plenty of information about Chinese New Year, as well as a recipe for turnip cake.
3. The illustrations are a good match to the story. 

THE BAD:

1. The illustration style may not appeal to everyone. 

READ IT IF:

1. Your child loves pandas.
2. You want your child to learn more about other cultures.
3. You like fairy tale re-tellings. 

RATING:


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