#Goldilocks: A Hashtag Cautionary Tale
by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Tony Ross
Interest age: 4 to 8
Reading age: 6+
Published by Andersen Press, 2019
About this book
Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross are picture book royalty, and a new collaboration from them is always something to celebrate.
This cautionary tale about the dangers of oversharing on social media is hilarious and timely. As children become adept at using social media at a younger age, it’s important for them to understand the significance their posts can have, but a classroom lecture or a dull pamphlet about safeguarding on the internet is unlikely to be as memorable as this excellent story.
As usual, Willis’ rhymes are impeccably witty and a dream to read aloud. Tony Ross’ inimitable illustrations are instantly classic. By cleverly using a character we already know to be naughty, the story makes its point gently and without judgement. Social media is not the villain here, but in a world where we are prone to overshare and seek social approval for our daily life, it’s brilliantly funny to see it become the undoing of a fairy tale character.
Like the pair's other modern cautionary tale, Chicken Clicking, this has value way beyond a standard picture-book audience age range, and should be installed in every classroom in every primary and secondary school.
About the author
About the illustrator
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Hom
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Old MacDonald Had A Phone
by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
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Frockodile
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Lists of recommended reads
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Books on fake news and lies
It is vital that children learn to spot fake news and false information - and schools will soon be teaching classes on this. This selection of titles includes practical non-fiction books and also fiction that takes a broader view of 'fake news', in the sense of gossip and lies.