Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas

January 21st, 2014 by jules

“Then she slurped some congee from the plastic bowl. ‘Mmm … just right!’
Before she knew it, she had eaten it all up.”

Meet Goldy Luck. She’s the protagonist of Natasha Yim’s Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas, illustrated by Grace Zong and released by Charlesbridge this month. This is a retelling of the classic tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” — with a Chinese twist.

Goldy’s having a tough time, even though she was born in the Year of the Golden Dragon, a lucky year. In fact, it feels like her luck is always running out. For one, her best friend has moved away (as you can see in the illustration to the right here), and in general Goldy feels as if she just keeps making a mess of things. When her mother sends her next door to the Chans to deliver a plate of turnip cakes to wish them a Happy New Year, things go downhill — and her Goldilocks-esque adventure begins. These are panda bears, her neighbors — and it just may turn out in the end that big-hearted Goldy makes a new friend.

Many elements of Chinese culture are woven into the story, and the author closes with a note about the Chinese New Year and its rituals. Zong’s acrylic illustrations are bright and warm.

Here are some of them. Enjoy.

“One Chinese New Year, Goldy’s mother woke her up and sent her to wish their neighbors Kung Hei Fat Choi. ‘But Ma Ma, I’m still sleepy, and I’m so hungry.’
‘It’ll only take a minute,’ her mother said. ‘Mr. and Mrs. Chan would enjoy a visit
from you. Take these turnip cakes to share with Little Chan.”
(Click to see spread in its entirety)