Goldilocks And the Three Bears; Musical Max; Musical Max

The two latest entries from Weston Woods are delightful adaptations, winningly scored, and priced beyond most libraries budgetary range. Based on writer/illustrator James Marshall's 1988 Caldecott award-winning retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, this modern version introduces a naughty Goldilocks who, entrusted with the mission of delivering muffins to a neighbor, takes a warned-against shortcut through the woods, finds the just vacated home of the bear family, and basically trashes the place. Kids and adults will enjoy the familiar themes of the classic fairy tale as well as the new details (in one scene an inquisitive Goldilocks finds a lot of "coarse brown fur" and deduces that the householders must have "kitties.") Narrator Joyce Ebert does an excellent job of scaling from Papa Bear's gruff baritone to Goldilocks petulant self-invitation to do anything she pleases ("I don't mind if I do.") a fractured fairy tale that will make young and old smile.Musical Max, based on the book by Robert Kraus, and illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey, offers smiles and more as the young hippo Max practices his wide repertoire of musical themes on as many different instruments (trombone, flute, bagpipes, harp, piano, bongo drums, and more). Max's musical offerings are received with less than full appreciation by his father (who wears earmuffs) and the animal neighbors who openly complain. When Max suddenly decides to stop playing, however, the neighborhood begins to appreciate his notable talents. Narrated by Mary Beth Hurt, and scored by the wonderful Ernest Troost, Musical Max is an enjoyable tale about the merits of individuality.Both titles are highly recommended for larger children's collections. (R. Pitman)