Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2012

89%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Mo Willems takes Goldilocks, adds dinosaurs with a hilariously bad plan, and creates the funniest fairy tale retelling your kid will demand on repeat.

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold

book

2012

89%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Mo Willems takes Goldilocks, adds dinosaurs with a hilariously bad plan, and creates the funniest fairy tale retelling your kid will demand on repeat.

4.8

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4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is Mo Willems doing what he does best: taking something familiar and making it absurdly, cleverly funny. The dinosaurs' 'definitely not a trap' scheme is so transparently ridiculous that kids feel smart catching on, and the Norwegian visitor detail is the kind of random nonsense that makes kids (and parents) laugh out loud.

It's not going to teach your kid about photosynthesis or emotional regulation, but it will teach them that stories can be played with, that narrators can be unreliable, and that sometimes the funniest jokes are the ones where everyone's in on it. Plus, at 4.8 stars on Amazon and beloved by educators, this is one of those rare books that parents actually enjoy reading for the 47th time.

If your kid is still working through the original fairy tales, maybe hold off—the humor lands better when they know what's being subverted. But for kids ready to appreciate a good narrative twist? This is gold(ilocks).

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-8, especially kids who already know the original Goldilocks story and can appreciate the subversive humor. The sophisticated meta-narrative makes it entertaining for adults too, so it's a solid pick for family story time when you're tired of reading boring books.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Mo Willems delivers a gentle, humorous twist on a classic tale with no mean-spiritedness. The dinosaurs' bumbling 'trap' is transparently silly rather than scary, and Goldilocks escapes unharmed. The tone is playful and warm, perfect for lap reading without any emotional landmines.

Imaginative

Brilliantly subversive take on a fairy tale everyone knows. The meta-humor (dinosaurs insisting they're 'definitely not' setting a trap, the Norwegian visitor for 'no particular reason') invites kids to be in on the joke. Willems' signature illustrations and narrative voice spark creative thinking about storytelling itself.

Safe

Zero content concerns. No violence, scary moments, or inappropriate material. The 'trap' is so obviously fake and funny that even sensitive kids will get the joke. This is Mo Willems at his safest—pure silliness with no edge.

Enriching

Strong on narrative literacy and meta-fiction concepts—kids learn that stories can be played with, twisted, and questioned. The humor rewards careful readers who notice details. But it's primarily entertainment rather than deep skill-building; the enrichment comes from appreciating clever storytelling and developing a sophisticated sense of humor.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The meta-humor is chef's kiss—dinosaurs insisting they're 'definitely not' setting a trap while obviously setting a trap teaches kids to read between the lines
Works beautifully for mixed-age read-alouds: little kids laugh at dinosaurs and pudding, older kids catch the sophisticated narrative jokes
Mo Willems' signature style means expressive illustrations and perfect comic timing on every page
Introduces the concept that familiar stories can be twisted, questioned, and played with—great foundation for critical thinking about narrative
Zero scary moments despite being about a 'trap'—the whole thing is so transparently silly that even cautious kids will be giggling

⚠

What to Watch For

Works best if your kid already knows the original Goldilocks and the Three Bears—otherwise some of the humor won't land
The Norwegian dinosaur visitor is a random running gag that might confuse littler listeners (but that's kind of the point)
Kids might start narrating their own schemes with 'definitely not' disclaimers—which is actually adorable

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the dinosaurs kept saying they were 'definitely not' setting a trap? Were they trying to trick Goldilocks or us?"
"What would happen if we retold another fairy tale but changed the animals? What if the Three Little Pigs were actually three little elephants?"
"Do you think Goldilocks figured out it was a trap? What would you have done if you walked into that house?"
"Why do you think one dinosaur is from Norway? Does that make any sense at all?"

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