A frenetic take-off a familiar tale is launched by a "cast" picture on the opening page. Goldilocks gripes in balloon dialogue, "I can't hold this pose much longer" while the baby hare asks, "When will the title page be over?" "Keep smiling," says the papa hare, "they'll turn the page soon." The hares' oatmeal burns, the mama complains about not having a microwave, while the baby chatters about going out for a burrito and McCarrot. Meanwhile, beneath the floorboards a mouse family discusses eating out at the Mouse of Pancakes. Goldilocks wrecks a recliner and a water bed and then she naps, waking up later to ask if she's home from Oz. Readers will be laughing and turning pages, but not quickly or they'll miss the visual gags and written puns in a spoof packed with references from popular culture. Replete with marauding weasels named Goze (say a long "o") and haughty pair of Geese Police, this picture book romp requires more than preschool savvy. (Ages 7-10)

Presents a contemporary takeoff on the familiar folktale.