GOLDY LUCK AND THE
THREE PANDAS
Charlesbridge Publishing, 2014
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ISBN-978-1-58089-652-8 (Hardcover)
ISBN-978-1-58089-653-5 (Paperback)
ISBN-978-1-607-34629-6978 (Ebook)
ISBN-97816292358518 (DVD)
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A favorite fairy tale set in a bustling contemporary Chinatown.
One Chinese New Year, Goldy Luck’s mother asks her to take a plate of turnip cakes to the neighbors. The Chans aren’t home, but that doesn’t stop Goldy from trying out their rice porridge, their chairs, and their beds—with disastrous results.
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In this funny and festive retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Natasha Yim and Grace Zong introduce a plucky heroine who takes responsibility for her actions and makes a new friend (and a whole plate of turnip cakes!), just in time for Chinese New Year.
Includes back matter about Chinese New Year and a recipe for turnip cakes.
"Natasha Yim’s eye for cultural details, along with a satisfying resolution, make this an excellent adaptation of the classic Goldilocks story."
– Sara Kyoungah White, The Banner
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Junior LIbrary Guild
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Scholastic Book Club​
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Marjorie, Mirrors, Windows, Doors
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas is a great readaloud and no doubt the many onomatopoeias that introduce most of Goldy Luck’s speech will be echoed by young children during repeated sharings. The story also packs in plenty of cultural detail, not only in conveying Chinese New Year customs but also via the similes that are scattered throughout the text: so, for example, when she tries out Mrs Chan’s soft armchair, Goldy Luck feels like the ‘stuffing in a pork bun’. And there are witty, decudedly contemporary touches too, like Mr, Chan’s massage chair and Mrs Chan’s electric bed that ‘began to fold her up like a dumpling’.
Carrie, Goodreads
This fractured tale is a delightful way to teach children about the Chinese New Year traditions. Cultural education is presented throughout the story in a very age appropriate, interesting way and also in the back matter. The illustrations add depth to the Chinese New Year rituals and preparations, with lots of red to bring good luck.
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As a first grade teacher, I embrace opportunities for children to make text to text connections and comparisons. Analyzing this story in comparison to other fractured Goldilocks tales, will help students create a deeper understanding of the story elements. In contrast to the original version of the Goldilocks tale, Natasha Yim puts problem solving in Goldy's hands at the end of the story.
Aeicha, Word Spelunking, US
I love this picture book! Natasha Yim has created an unforgettable fairytale retelling that, while reminiscent of the original, is very much its own wonderful and captivating story. Yim introduces the Chinese New Year to young readers in a way that will excite and amuse them, while teaching them all about this amazing holiday. Goldy is such a cute, relatable little character! She’s not angelically good or bad on purpose, she’s simply and genuinely a kid. Little readers will love exploring the panda’s home with Goldy and watching her create one disaster after another! Along with teaching readers all about the Chinese New Year, this book offers a timeless and heartfelt message about love, friendship, and forgiveness.