ChildrensPictureBook.info Review

The Three Snow Bears
By Jan Brett
Illustrator Jan Brett
Publisher Putnam Juvenile

Jan Brett is one of today's best illustrators. Her picture books are a feast for the eyes offering richly detailed looks into imaginary places that seem possible because of her illustrations. The Three Snow Bears is Brett's take on "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with polar bears and Aloo-ki, a little Eskimo girl, as the main characters. Aloo-ki discovers the bears' igloo while chasing after her sled dogs that have floated off on an ice floe. The bears have gone out for a walk while their soup cools giving Aloo-ki the time to come in and sample the soup, try on Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear's boots, and end up fast asleep in Baby Bear's sleeping mound, which is, of course, just right. The bears come home after saving Aloo-ki's dogs and find Aloo-ki asleep. Aloo-ki wakes and gathers her dogs and quickly leaves, but not before waving a thank you. Children will enjoy this version of the traditional tale and parents will appreciate that Aloo-ki is not unmindful of the bears' hospitality and good will.

The Three Snow Bears

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