Lauren Child's (And Polly Borland's and Emily Jenkins's and R. John Wright's) Version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

In a post titled Separated at Birth? Betsy over at Fuse #8 noted the visual similarities between Lauren Child's version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Dare Wright's The Lonely Doll. I've never seen any of The Lonely Doll books -- Betsy says they're quite creepy, and feature teddy bears spanking the lonely doll and such -- but the picture of the Goldilocks cover in Betsy's post made me covet this particular version of the fairy tale. It came in the mail yesterday and both Luke and I love it. Child adds some nice details to the story and the photos are gorgeous, especially to a person as interested in little things as I am. And yes, I suppose the doll's blank face is kind of creepy but aren't all dolls a little bit creepy? And come to think of it, Goldilocks herself is a more than a bit creepy, what with her sociopathic breaking and entering tendencies. On the back flap of the book there's a smidgeon of information about how the photographs were made -- I was left wanting more. Like an entire documentary. And an animated television show.

Someone in the comments to Betsy's post noted that the project was really more photographer Polly Borland's baby than Lauren Child's and that Borland is a fan of Dare Wright's. Set designer Emily Jenkins deserves credit, too, I should think. The dolls themselves were made by R. John Wright and when I googled him, I discovered that you can buy a limited edition version of the Goldilocks and the Baby Bear used in the story -- for a mere $1225.oo. But get this, Betsy: he also offers a replica of Edith, the doll featured in The Lonely Doll. She's got "the finest" real human hair. And she's on sale for $1225.oo.

He also offers an absolutely gorgeous but still quite creepy Alice in Wonderland doll for $1475.oo. And a Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and more.

Comments

[baby gifts]

An officemate gave me a book yesterday, it was Ciderella. Another officemate said she will give me Goldilocks, I hope she'll give me this one. ^_^
They said that it is good to start reading to children at an early age.

[Fuse #8]

Technically the term "real human hair" shouldn't be creepy. So why do I find it so? Thanks for the amazing links! I'll have to take a gander at these dolls when I get a chance.

[Stephany Aulenback]

I know: just why is that phrase so creepy? I mean, I *have* real human hair.

Yikes. Now my head is itchy.

[Alison]

Goldilocks looks creepy here, although she resembles the typical porcelain doll my Auntie has since junior years. I am going to check this out, I never miss out the classics.