Literary Critique of “Leola & the Honeybears: An African American Retelling of Goldilocks & the Three Bears”

Melodye Benson Rosales’ Leola and the Honeybears: An African American Retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears tells the story of Leola, a young African American girl who wants to help with her grandmother with the wash. When dismissed by her grandmother, Leola wanders into the Piney Woods where she meets a stranger, Mr. Weasel. In order to escape being swallowed whole, Leola hides in a strange home where she eats southern food before finding a comfortable bed on which to rest. This southern retelling of the classic fairytale is elegantly illustrated with oil paintings that draw you into Leola’s adventure. It provides an excellent opportunity to discuss cultural differences with children and is a must read for anyone looking for good children’s picture books.