Fetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story is aimed at young readers and follows 12-year-old pen pals Nayah and Abby. They get to know each other as they live very different lives at opposite sides of the world and face their own challenges as they grow up. It shows the importance of relationships and learning about others lives. An excellent worth while read.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another cute twist on a classic fairy tale. My son and I love this authors books. Our favorites are definitely the classics reimagined. Her stories are always very cute. There is always something new to be learned as well. Fun and educational, what more can you ask for in a kids book?
Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This a good middle grades story. I really enjoyed the characters and the story line. Lizza learns the importance of being honest and open instead of trying to intervene to get what she wants. I liked that Lizza has a great friend that is there for her whenever she needs her. The fact that they move to a cave made me giggle – even though the reasons why they moved weren’t funny. The characters in this story all have empathy and kindness, even when things aren’t going exactly the right way. So from stealing ladders, to painting a president’s nose and giving him a nose ring, to sneaking animals into the house – Lizza has some action packed adventures that teach her some good life lessons!
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great book to read with your children or in a school setting. It takes a well-known story and turns it into a learning experience about simple machines. What I love is that Goldilocks is a girl and knows a lot about how to use simple machines to fix things or solve problems she finds in the three bears house. Great illustrations, great story!
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was such a great re-telling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a lovely STEM twist to it. It was everything I’ve come to expect from this author. The story is easy to follow and some fantastic talking points for the children and also a great way to compare the two stories and about different outcomes etc. Great way to encourage children to create their own endings to these lovely stories we all know and love. I loved the additional information at the end of the story that talked through the ways Goldilocks fixed the things throughout the tory – another great opportunity for the children to try these ideas out. The only thing that does let the book down is the illustrations unfortunately but the story was excellently written and really engaging!
Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I first read the synopsis to this story I honestly wasn’t sure what I was about to read. I knew it was aimed at young children and it seemed like a really interesting story to read so I gave it a go. The story was really good, really not what I was expecting at all. It offers so many talking points for young children and a great way to introduce them to chapter books. Lizzie was great characters and I could see her being so relatable to young readers. I enjoyed reading about her as an adult. I loved that there were parts of the story inspired by somewhere real – great for the children reading to be able to explore and find out more about things.
Overall a really great read and one I would recommend to young readers – it was easy to read and really well written.
Fetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Neyah from Kenya and Abby from Minnesota are unlikely friends. They become pen-pals through an assignment encouraged by their schools. Despite living in completely different worlds, they find that they have a lot in common, they develop a beautiful friendship purely through handwritten letters and help each other fulfil their purposes. Their friendship has inspired me to write letters to friends I have made across the world and to spend more time in the future volunteering to help those in need. My favourite character is Abby because even in her weakest moments, she is strong, inspiring, hopeful. My least favourite character is Neyah’s Papa because it takes a long time for him to come around. I recommend this book because there are not a lot of books that have affected me the way this book did. It’s moving and empowering. It really proves that you can do anything you set your mind to. ‘Thank you for being my inspiration.’
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Updated retelling of a classic. This is the first book I have ever read by the imaginative Lois Wickstrom and the title is what pulled my curiosity. While Goldilocks is a classic fairy tale, it always left something to be desired. More than just sneaking into someone’s house, eating their food, and sleeping in their beds. The author takes that classic story but makes it so much more while also teaching kids about simple machines that, in some cases with help, they can do themselves. I honestly truly loved this updated twist of a classic. Responsibility, helping others, and fixing what you broke are all great lessons for growing children and all are told in a creative retelling of a classic for the modern child. I can’t wait to read more of these books to my two little boys. My six-year-old has already discovered that he can make a catapult using the lever.
Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cute read, and Lizza was a well-written teenage character- at times self-centered, at times caring, and at times annoying- love how she was written. The plot is succinct and fast paced. I could definitely envision a tourist trap like the Hole in the Rock, complete with the tacky souvenirs.
My favorite part was the passion Lizza shows protecting animals and her love for her brother is evident. The cause and effect of her actions also shows a slight character change. I could see preteen readers really enjoying this novel.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love this twist on Goldilocks. Giving it a STEM twist helps kids learn science and mechanics. By having Goldilocks fix items, this is a fun way to get kids wanting to learn. It opens conversation. I also loved having the bears come home and being friendly to her. What a fun and cute story. I found it entertaining. We had a long conversation about the story. My grandson asked if he could have something to take apart and try to fix so it sparked some interest for him. This author does such a fantastic job of sparking fun and interest in children to learn and such joy in their lives.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines By Lois Wickstrom is a wonderful retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears! I love that even though Goldilocks makes messes in the bears’ house, she cleans it up and she uses science to help her. I like the different font faces used to highlight various words throughout the book because it adds movement to the pages and draws the readers eyes to the words. Everything that happened in the classic Goldilocks books happened differently in this book, which is refreshing and truly unique! The thing that I liked the most was that the bears were not mad at Goldilocks when they found her, instead they were thankful. In fact Baby Bear even asked her for help at the end of the book, and the Bear family invited her to come back to visit again. The back matter of the book identifies and explains the six simple machines found in the story. This book would be a great introduction to simple machines and can easily be used to help students think about making their own simple machines.
Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This story is based to entertain more middle school aged children. Nonetheless it is a fun little read even for me as an adult. The story is witty and full of adventure. As an adult, I’m not sure it’s the best choice but as a pre teen or teenager it would be an exciting read full of excitement.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have to say that this author does such a good job of making learning fun for children. I just wish my children were young enough for these books. The author is able to take science and make it fun for kids to learn so that not only are they learning to read but also another subject. I like how the characters are relatable. The books are easy for kids to understand and also make it interesting. I would definitely recommend these books to anyone with kids.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
View all my reviews
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was a great remake
And I loved how Goldilocks came in and fixed everything. The six simple machines are used for many different things as pointed out in the book.
Wedge, Inclined plane, wheel and Axle, screw, lever and Lastly pulley. Great twist to an old favorite.
review by @xchellex
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines is a fun story about Goldilocks and the three bears through Lois’s imagination. Aimed at children aged 4 to 8 years old they will delight in this unique retelling just like my Grandbabies did.
Simple and colourful pictures showcase this original tale of 6 simple machines that help in a variety of ways.
Lois stories engage young minds and inspire their imaginations. I mean if Lois’s imagination creates all these wonderful children’s books imagine what a child could create as they hear the tale.
Be sure to have this book on hand to read to kids.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a cute retelling of Goldilocks & the three bears with a science twist. Goldilocks uses her knowledge of simple machines to help out the Bear family. The story is kept pretty much the same, but I especially like the recap at the end of the book explaining each of the simple machines and the example from the book. Very cute and educational!
Reviewed by Terri Jo McAllister
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the most adorable kid’s book! I love the remix of Goldilocks and the Three Bears! Goldilocks said “I always leave things better than I found them.” and that’s the type of message you want your kids to get from a book. I personally teach my kids that kind of stuff and I think that the book has such a great message and even shows easy engineering things to try at home. I would 100% give this book to my kids as a gift!
@jowright
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed the different fonts for words to focus on- like hot, cooled, fly, delicious etc.- made the book look more interesting and fun. I thought it was interesting baby bear is feminine- I guess in my mind, I always pictured baby as a boy.
The physics concepts integrated in the story (titled, flat, dripped, all) provided a nice twist to the story, and would interest even slightly older children as they replicated pitcher pouring or making something level like the table. Even as an adult, I giggled at the fulcrum/seesaw towards the end of the book!
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Goldilocks is no longer hunted or chased away but thanked for her surprising helpfulness. A book that once screamed danger ahead now says be resourceful. Teaching kids to leave things better than they found them and helping new friends in new ways.
At the end of the book Lois lists the sketches and instructions to test out the machines yourself.
The book is colorful and full of bloom. Italicized words or different font highlights and captures the reader and listeners eyes. A very fun scientific twist on a classic.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
My great nieces, great nephew and I really enjoy Lois Wickstrom book and her stories are very innovative, imaginative and engaging.
This spin on Goldilocks and the 3 bears introduces us to learn about simple machines. When the 3 bears leave their cottage to go for a walk while their porridge cools down to eat, Goldilocks adventures into their house. Goldilocks uses simple machines to help her fix items in the bears cottage to make them better than they were before. What happens when the 3 bears come home and meet Goldilocks?
Definitely read and find out!
You are never to young or old to learn new things and that is what I love about this book….learning different simple machines that are useful. The only drawback on this book was the illustrations… I was hoping they would have been more engaging and full of life like her other books.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Ada Konewki
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
2.5 – 3 Stars
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines is the fourth book in the Science Folktales series by Lois Wickstrom. It is an illustrated children’s fantasy story- a reimagining of the classic fairytale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears- but with a little STEM twist.
The story introduces children to the concept of problem solving, being helpful, kindness, fixing things, and a little ‘science’.
The story is cute, but the illustrations really let the book down. I just wish the internal quality of the illustrations matched the quality of the ‘new’ cover picture- as the internal illustrations are awful, really quite ‘bland’- and don’t grab and hold your attention like the cover image does, so I was left feeling frustrated, and very disappointed…
The Science Folktales Series contains (so far):
-Chicken Little (Book #1)
-Huff…Puff…Grind! The Three Little Pigs Get Smart (Book #2)
-Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! The Real Magic of the Beans (Book #3)
-Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Book #4)
-Little Red, the Detective (Book #5)
-Just One More Egg (Book #6)
-The Dwarves’ Dilemma (Book #7)
-Saving the Gingerbread House (Book #8)
There’s lots to explore in this series- plenty of adventures to take, with things to learn along the way.
Happy reading…
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Fetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such an inspriational and genuine read for the YA group. I think that it really points out some of the biggest overall issues in the world, yet is one of the biggest issues we deal within ourselves. I believe that so many people could learn and take away something from this book. It wholehartedly is such an eye opener, and just gives such a real and raw message.
Fetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a phenomenal story! Two young girls from opposite sides of the world become pen pals through a school assignment. They are total opposites, yet they encourage one another and inspire many people across two continents. This is a heartwarming lesson in love, loss, and finding one’s own voice. I will include this book in my classroom library.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this retelling of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, instead of Goldilocks destroying the Bears home, she comes back to help fix the things that she broke using the simple machines she learned about. Everything from pully’s, inclines, the wheel, screws and the other simple machines she is able to right her wrongs that she did previously. Teaching about the six simple machines in a creative way is fantastic and adorable. My kids immediately wanted to try them out after they read this story and thought of different ways and little projects they could do.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I need a Goldilocks like this one!
In this classic retelling of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Lois Wickstrom has created a new classic with a science twist. Baby Bear has an issue that he needs help with so his family goes on a walk to think about a solution. In the meantime, Goldilocks shows up and does her thing with their home. In the end, Goldilocks teaches the family about the six simple machines that make our lives much easier.
I would recommend all of this author’s books. She writes engaging stories that are also educational. These stories should be in every family library, daycare, school, etc. and would make a great gift for a new family!
.•°*°•. BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE .•°*°•.
Goldilocks Knows How to Use the Six Simple Machines
She goes bicycling through the woods and comes to the Three Bears home. But fear not! Goldilocks, the curious explorer, is a homewrecker no more.
She has learned to use the six simple machines. She fixes that broken chair. And the wobbly table. She uses an inclined plane to add milk to that too-hot porridge. She leaves the three bears’ home better than she found it. Some tools are too big. Some tools are too small. Goldilocks finds the ones that are just right!
When the bears come home and find her sleeping in that bed, they use a lever to lift her out. Then baby bear asks her for help with her project.
Will Goldilocks figure out how to use the six simple machines to help baby bear?
Click here to view the Book Trailer for Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom
Lois is a former high school chemistry teacher and former head science teacher at Science in the City Summer Camp in Philadelphia. She has also been an adjunct science teacher at University of South Florida. Since retiring, she continues to take science classes. Her class in Forensic Biology led to Little Red, The Detective, in which Red is studying fingerprint identification, so she can tell that “Grandma” isn’t who she says she is.
Lois has taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales. She has invented what she calls Science Folktales. In each science-based tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending than the original because of learning scientific principles. She has turned some of these tales into plays.
She has also created a series of Mermaid Science stories, which make use of water science.
Lois is married to the love of her life. She has two children, four grandchildren and a dog.
Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
I have a few mixed feelings about this book. First of all, it’s geared towards 10-14 years of age. This age group is going to love Lizzie’s story and totally get where she is coming from without any issues. I tried to see it from that perspective, however my 40+ year old mind sees it as an adult. Overall, I enjoyed the story very much but felt like Lizzie’s parents could have done more to guide her along the way. It seems like they were more wrapped up in their own lives to really give Lizzie and her brother the attention they deserved. On another hand, they did have their hands full and maybe just didn’t know how to handle everything coming at them at once. I get the impression that Lizzie’s day was trying to guzzle water from a firehose and it just wasn’t working.
That being said, again, this book was enjoyable and young readers will find humor in Lizzie’s antics. Hopefully they will also be able to learn from her choices and not make the same or similar ones. Learning that all actions have consequences, whether good or bad, is so important in this age group.
I do recommend reading this book, no matter your age! It would make for great discussion and maybe even some cave adventures of your own!
Fetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fetching Dreams was a great story, it wasn’t my usual read but it was really enjoyable. The story is about 12 year old pen pals who live in completely different parts of the world and have completely different lives. It shows how through these communications the girls learn about different lives and how sometimes we think someone else has the ‘perfect’ life we can all be going through our own things in life we really wish we weren’t. This story is aimed at young readers and I think it will definitely give them some thought provoking moments.
Fetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl. This is probably one of the very best books I’ve read this year. I loved it. Its about 2 young 12 year olds who become pen pals and learn about their very different lives. The live totally different lives because Neyah lives in Kenya, Africa and who struggles everyday with harsh living conditions. Abby lives in Minnesota and has all the luxuries in life and doesn’t understand all the struggles that Neyah has. Abby doesn’t understand not having running water or having to miss school to take care of your siblings. Neyah is very jealous of Abby until she realizes that Abby has her struggles to, Abby has a brain tumor. Working together they try to get water for Neyah’s village and learn that not everyone’s lives are as they seem. Most people have trouble it just may be different than yours. Amazing book with a great lesson!
Ten little starfish love the ocean waves! How many little starfish can you find along the shore?
On a sunny day at the beach, these little starfish crawl along the sand and rest on the ocean floor. They play in the tidepools and spend time with their friends as they dance with the tide! These little starfish glow bright with brilliant colors. They’re having so much fun!
This beautifully illustrated rhyming book is designed to help your little one learn to count from one to ten. Journey through the pages in perfect rhythmic meter, and learn fun, interesting facts about the many different kinds of starfish that live in the world’s oceans.
Ten Little Starfish is an excellent learn-to-count picture book and a much-loved sequel to the popular Ten Little Sandpipers. Looking for an upbeat reading adventure with a nature-driven chance to learn? This book is for you!