Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Through the Art Style of Keith Haring

Gr 2–4—After a cheerful theme song trills, "Tell a story through art, art, art," this production aims to retell the familiar Goldilocks and the Three Bears tale in an innovative way. Using creative, colorful, animated figures in the style of iconic artist Keith Haring and simple rhymes, the story gets an odd treatment. The three bears are faceless, which means we lose all facial expressions, and the result is not satisfying. Though the sound effects and tinkling music add interest, the bright, blank illustrations have a sterile effect. Children's voices intone "Uh-oh, uh-oh, someone's going to get into trouble!" as steam rises from the porridge and Goldilocks, eyes covered with sunglasses, trespasses into larceny. This DVD might be of interest as an adjunct to a unit on Keith Haring or as a comparative version of the well-known tale, but as storytelling vehicle on its own, it is only an additional purchase.—Lonna Pierce, MacArthur and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools, Binghamton, NY