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Tomie dePaola's collection of traditional rhymes is a visual treat for both children and parents. His cheerful, humorous style enlivens 200 rhymes that star both the familiar Mother Goose cast of characters and those not as well known. Some pages are devoted to one rhyme--including all the verses--while other pages feature a variety of shorter rhymes or thematic groupings (such as verses about weather). Amidst the nursery rhymes are American poems such as "Yankee Doodle" and "Hush Little Baby," along with traditional poems such as "Three Little Kittens." This collection is a delightful introduction to poetry as well as an entertaining, comprehensive Mother Goose book. Parents could read a few rhymes to younger children and longer segments to older preschoolers. Beginning readers who have grown up with this book will move naturally into reading Mother Goose on their own. (Ages 1-6) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A mixed bag well organized
This book includes items that I remember (and/or own) as separate Golden Book stories; an example is the Three Little Kittens. Other items I know as folk songs e.g. "I had a cat and the cat pleased me". Others have longer versions than normally appear in Mother Goose although the additional verses are often traditional e.g. Jack and Jill; this trait is the one most apt to disturb the adults - they often wish to read the rhymes as they remember them. I would also expect some complaints about some of the violence - spanking etc.; I see these as an opportunity to introduce the child to the fact that the world is not composed of perfect people. Letting children hear or see something is not the same as approving the behavior.

The real strength of this volume is the thought given to sequence. Open to any page and you will see pictures which are compatible with each other, rhymes that are compatible, that create a nice flow. The illustrations are a wonderful mix of realism, animal-people, and humor - a pig so puffed it appears to float. While the pictures have a taste of old to them - especially those accompanying rhymes with archaic subject matter - the pictures are appealing to the contemporary child.

Very Disappointing
I was very disappointed with this book. Some of the additional verses added to familiar rhymes change the rhythm of the rhyme, and do not mesh. Many rhymes, including "Jack and Jill" have a different second verse from the traditional one. "Hush Little Baby" is incomplete. Many of the rhymes are non-traditional.

I don't even want my child to hear some of these poems! They talk about a man who wouldn't say his prayers so "I took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs," giving a barber a pinch of snuff, and other such things.

Wonderfully illustrated!
No bedtime ritual is complete without Tomie's tome. My two toddlers enjoy the classic verses and its whimsical art. Other Mother Goose books don't seem to hold my children's interest. This one is a family favorite (and somewhat difficult to locate - I now give it as a baby gift to new parents since that's how I was introduced to it!) Enjoy!

My daughter's favorite book
My two-year-old daughter can't go to bed without reading at least 20 nursery rhymes from this enchanting book. (Well, I read them to her.) The illustrations are magnificent, as are the groupings of the rhymes and the way the art is arranged. This is truly a magical book. The only thing I don't like is the true, old wording on some of the "crueller" rhymes; in other words, the old lady in the shoe beats her children soundly, and the mother who catches her daughter warming her toes by the fire also beats her. Etc. I change the words for all these. Other than this, a magnficent, classic book that has my child loving the sound of words.

Collection of less well-known rhymes which doesn't click
I was looking for a compilation of familiar nursery rhymes to get my kids started in the wonderful world of words. I was disappointed in what I consider to be a limited and weak collection of rhymes. Illustrations are good. ... Read more

Book Description

Hugely popular in both hardcover and board book formats (over 100,000 copies sold), this fun book is now available in a new paperback format. This is an absurdly funny story that children will want to sing, chant, read, and clap to again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great for the Music Classroom
What a wonderfully easy book to read/sing with your students. This song also has a hand jive to go with it, but it is not located in the book. The melody isn't located there as well. A quick search on the internet will clue you in on both of those. A great book to read/sing with your students in the regular classroom or in the music classroom. I highly recommend.

Great for toddlers too!
My daughter is 2 years old and enjoys the rhymes in this book. She has started to repeat some of them. Wonderful illustrations.

It's what you remember...and a whole lot more!
I use this in the music classes that I teach. The kids love the part that everyone knows, but the authors have taken it a few steps further by adding additional verses. The verses are charming and make a great addition to this already established children's classic. The illustrations are hysterical and subtle. Make sure that you take time to examine them closely!

Remember That Old Game?
I used to love playing the Miss Mary Mack hand clapping game with my little girlfriends, so when I found this book adaptation, I just had to have it.

I was definitely not disappointed. The illustrations are wonderful, and it just brings back so many childhood memories. I love that I'm going to be able to share that remembered fun with my child.

Miss Mary Mack
I use this book in the general music classroom. My students loved the illustrations. The drawings are wonderful and very detailed. My students enjoyed reading the book and then learning the song and hand motions(included on the cover page). A great book for the classroom teacher, media center and music teacher. ... Read more

Book Description

Every day, children the world over sing, shout, and celebrate Mother Goose rhymes. And now there's a new reason to cheer: Nina Crews has added her own remarkable, jazzy style of illustration to a collection of forty-one favorite verses. Whether it's Jack jumping over a candlestick (atop a cupcake), Georgie Porgie kissing the girls (at the playground), or a fine lady riding a white horse (on the carousel), this exuberant treasury is sure to be read and enjoyed over and over again.

Reviews (1)

The Best Goose
My two boys love this book. Each night they pick 4 of their favorites for me to read. After two weeks of reading this book - they know almost all the words to all of the poems. This is a great way to teach kids the old rhymes with cool hip photos and computer manipulations which make the tales leap off the page and in to your home.

An English professor told us that the best way to instill a love of reading in to your child is to encourage them to memorize and enjoy nursery rhymes and tales. This book is the perfect first intro. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

nice finger rhymes book
This book contains 14 finger rhymes, some familiar (Two Blackbirds, Eensy Weensy Spider) and some not (Fish Story, There Was a Little Turtle). Nice b&w drawings accompany the rhymes, though the finger movements themselves are in very small boxes beside the lyrics, which can make them difficult to read.

my grandchildren loved the rhymes, fingerplays and illustrat
The fingerplays in Marc Browns collection are easy and well illustrated in this book. Traditional rhymes help children to feel confident in trying the fingerplays. The illustrations are also charming if you just feel like listening to the rhymes. They cause children to ask questions, think about the possible meaning of the rhymes and challenge their own imaginations. ... Read more

Book Description

A new collection of old and familiar nursery rhymes -- rhymes that stay alive from generation to generation because they move in lively rhythms. The words of these old favorites roll easily from the tongue, whether they be full of wisdom, humor or just plain nonsense. Many are fine poetry and serve as an important introduction to our literature. Hilda Offen's illustrations are very much in keeping with the spirit of the old familiar words. They will be a lasting joy to readers and listeners, young and old. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautifully illustrated, very complete book of nursery rhyme
My children, now 10 & 8 loved this book. It has all the nursery rhymes I had forgotten and more. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Grandmother's Nursery Rhymes/Las Nanas De Abuelita: Lullabie
I bought this book in the interest of my Spanish-speaking nanny and my 15 month-old boy. He is drawn to the pictures in this book. They are particularly appealing with their whimsical nature and bright colors. Our nanny loves the rhymes and she feels right at home reading to him from the book unlike with some other translations of rhymes that end up with mispronunciations in Spanish. My favorite part of it is that I read the "quiet time" rhymes (in English) at the end of the book to him at night and they are actually very calming to him. That's rare! And, I would recommend it soley on that even if it weren't great otherwise. ... Read more

Book Description

Kids want to know what's up with angels. From the best-selling Little Blessings line comes a fresh new book that is perfect for children up through five years old. With fun-to-read rhymes and colorful illustrations from Care Bears artist Elena Kucharik, this book is great not just for home but also for nurseries, Sunday school classes, preschools, and church worship settings. Scripture references provide a perfect tool for conversations with curious young minds. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must have book
My daughter loves these books. The pictures
really capture her attention and I love
the message of God's love in them. Also check
out"What about Heaven". ... Read more

Book Description

"Baa, Baa, black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full."

This charming story told in lyrical verse will inspire young readers to share the best of themselves. An industrious black sheep has wool aplenty, but little else for her friends. Horse needs hay, Mouse needs cheese, and Pig needs slop, but the poor black sheep has none of these. When her dissatisfied friends confront Sheep about her inability to share, they find that their lovely friend has knitted a special gift for each of them with her very own wool.

Clever illustrations reveal delightful surprises as endearing new characters frolic from page to page in bold, generous color. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great read for all ages!
This is a very entertaining version of the old nursery rhyme. My daughter loves this book, and so do we. Its great for traveling, not too heavy like the board books. And its just long enough to keep her attention throughout the book!

As charming as they come!
Baa, Baa Black sheep have you any wool? So goes the age old rhymn.But did you know it had verses about dogs, pigs cats and even a horse. Everyone is knocking on black sheeps door but all sheep wants to do is knit, knit, knit. The other animals feel black sheep is not being a good friend and neighbor but are they all too quick to judge their woolly pal? Children and adults alike will smile when they see what black sheep has been up to.THIS is my favorite of Iza Trapani's books. A must have! ... Read more

Book Description

This little piggy went to the market.

This little piggy stayed home.

And this little piggy...

Wiggle the toes on each page and see each piggy pop up. This nursery rhyme favorite with a toe-tally new twist will have toddlers squealing with delight.

Reviews (7)

My 2 year old loves this book
What a fun book! It adds an extra storyline to the popular Piggy nursery rhyme. Everyone we've given this book to has loved it too. Though the book is pretty durable, when my daughter was younger, she did rip many of the pop-ups. That's okay -- we just bought another one now that she doesn't rip books anymore. : )

My son is Obsessed with this Book
My son absolutely loves this book and has since he was about 10 months (he is 19 months now). We didn't even realize when we first received it as a gift that the little toes moved (duh!). He did it on his own. He tries to grab the piggy that pops up before we pop the piggy back into hiding. I'm also buying a second one because he has "used" this book almost every day for the last 9 months and has beaten it up pretty bad. I can't wait for him to see the new copy -- he'll be so excited. Anyway, it is so unpredictable which books kids will love. I think this one has been the reliable favorite of my son.

This is a great toddler book
Nice and sturdy to take the rugged treatment of a toddler's hands. This book get passed around at play time and parties by all the kids - very popular. Great book

Awesome book
Great illustrations. Great color. Great action. Nice and short, but full of fun! Our son absolutely loves books and this book is one of his all-time favorites. Almost daily since he was 6 months old, he has been handing it to us to read to him. Today, I am buying a second copy of this book because my son (now 15 months) has mastered moving all the toes and I think he could benefit from a new copy -- one he can really make work. The moving piggies in our first copy of "This Little Piggy" are all bent up and do not slide easily anymore, and the last piggy (who goes wee, wee, wee, all the way home) has been glued back on 1/2 dozen times. We will also use this new copy to teach him why he should treat his books nicely :)

must-have
We've been enjoying this book since my daughter was six mths.(she's now 2 yrs!) This is the cutest rendition of this little piggy, a must! The illustrations are fantastic, bright and cheerful, paired with a book in the shape of a foot with little toes to wiggle, its a sure hit! ... Read more

Book Description

The favorite Mother Goose rhyme about the three careless kittens who lost their mittens is given added appeal with Galdone's bold and colorful illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A very appealing and well done little book
My sons have requested this be read to them about 10 times just today! As all of Galdone's fairy tales or nursery rhymes, this is very true to the traditional telling. The special part here is the living, clever and detailed pictures. They show such neat details as a kitchen with catnip in every form---chopped, minced, blended, etc---in a spice cabinet! The cats' expressions are priceless---you wouldn't guess cats could be so expressive.

Adorable depiction of this classic rhyme.
My 2 1/2 year old loves this book! We have taken it out of the library so many times, I have finally decided it is time to own it! I think she identifies with the sweet kittens who get into trouble but then make amends and get to eat the pie after all. Both toddlers and preschoolers will love this beautifully illustrated book. ... Read more

Book Description

Where there's smoke, there's fire--at least that's what they say. . . .
... Read more

Reviews (3)

Help! They're chasing me!
My daughter checked this book out of the library and made me read it to her over and over again. I didn't see the appeal of this book! But she loved it. So for Fire Safety week with my preschoolers, we read this book. They loved it! My god, they made me read it over and over and over again. They followed me around the room and made me read it. I still don't see the appeal. But kids love this book. Each Mrs. is on the proceeding page, they tell the story of a fire in an apartment building. It takes a bit of explaining for 4 yr olds to get the concept of a flaming cake, but they got it. They even counted the candles. The old lady is represented by about 30 candles---thanks to the author for that one!

Fire! Fire! Said Mrs. McGuire
The rhyme and story in this book are so much fun to read, they would keep young children asking to read it over and over. However, I do not feel I can use it in my classroom because of one illustration. A sexy blond is using her body to get what she wants from firemen-very inappropriate for young children! Bill Martin, please bring back your original version of this wonderful book.

owned this book when i was little
I owned this book when i was a little girl and now that i have a son, i want him to be able to read it and know that females are not just a second class citizen and that they can hold positions that men are able to hold. This book also shows that you should not believe everything you see, there is probably something else going on if you dont see the whole picture. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Toddler Fun
Hand Rhymes has been a great asset to my toddler classroom. The children love doing the fine moter actions to the fun rhymes. The children love the pictures also. This is a great book for any age! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Enjoyable Illustration of Classic American Folk Song
Good book for children 3-8 that can be sung to children, as the musicscore is included at the back of the book. It's nice becasue this bookprovides good illustrations to the song, when sung by itself, could leaveyoung minds wondering and confused.

K. Bullock is the best children's author since Dr. Seuss!
Bullock has been writing children's stories since before the birth of herfirst son, Patrick, in 1968. Her illustrations reflect a deep love fordetail.The characters practically fly off the pages.For other qualitybooks by Kathleen Bullock check out "It Chanced to Rain"

My daughter loves this book!
This book combines wonderfully detailed watercolor illustrations with a story and tune we all know. The result mesmorizes my 20month old daughter. It is also a delight for the person reading it to her. Big, full images of the old west with lots of action surrounding the visit of a female relative to the farm out west in the old days.The illustrations tell many a story on each page. Repeat viewing is a pleasure. I am not giving this book 5 stars because no credit is given to the composer of the song-Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger or one of those folksinging fellows. ... Read more

Book Description

Come hear a song about a baby,
a very special baby.
Come hear a song about you.

This affectionate tribute to the all-encompassing love of a child will touch parents' and grandparents' hearts at the same time that it satisfies children's requests to tell them about when they were little. Best-selling author Marion Dane Bauer's lyrical text and award-winning illustrator Dan Andreasen's timeless paintings combine to create a gift of love -- for parent and child alike.

And oh,
how we love you! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

So sweet and special for parents and baby
This book is incredibly beautiful -- both the message and the illustrations. I bought this for a friend who has miscarried and is now expecting again. I will give it to her when the baby is born. It will probably make mommy and daddy cry happy tears.

My favorite page... "We'd dreamed a baby, we'd wanted a baby, we'd planned for a baby, we waited and waited for a baby until finally, there was you."

Beautiffy written and Illustrated!
This book is awesome! It really "speaks" for anyone who went through years of trying to have a baby. I was first drawn to this book by the beautiful illustrations and then when I read the story I knew I had to buy it. Every time I read it, I can't help but shed a tear. I will read it again and again to my daughter...the love from a parent to a child is beautifully conveyed in this book.

Just lovely!
My 2 year-old daughter just loves this book. While I read it to her she sits intently listening through the whole book. The words and the pictures I feel portray to her little mind how important she is to us!

Mom might enjoy it more than baby!
This is a very sweet book that would make a wonderful baby gift or 1st b-day gift. It is one of those special books that will make mommy cry happy tears... ... Read more

Book Description

Over twenty-four wonderful rhymes and verses -- taken from Iona and PeterOpie's classic versions -- will reach an even younger group of children in this charmingnew board book that lovingly brings to life not only the familiar faces of Little MissMuffett, Humpty Dumpty, Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, and Little Boy Blue, but a host ofother favorites for children to laugh with and treasure. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beware of nursery rhymes with racial overtones
I recommend any book written/illustrated by Tomie dePaola. His illustrations are always wonderful and you can be sure that it is a good quality children's book. I especially recommend reading nursery rhymes as early as possible to children. Hearing and learning nursery rhymes helps children develop cognitive and verbal skills.

Nursery rhymes have value in their historic nature, but we would find some to be outdated and even racial in nature. I was disappointed to find that some of these nursery rhymes with racial overtones are included in this book; I certainly won't read them to my child. For instance, "Baa, baa, black sheep" includes the word "master" and "See-saw, Margery Daw" goes "Jacky shall have a new master; Jacky shall have but a penny a day, Because he can't work any faster." Parents, please read all of the nursery rhymes yourself before reading to your children, and be sure to note which ones, if any, you find offensive so that sitters and others will not read them.

Tomie's Little Mother Goose
A happy mix of picture and rhyme. Babies especially love the repetitive rhythms. Very popular with 8 to 12 month old "readers". ... Read more

Book Description

Quick! What color was Miss Mary Mack wearing when she went upstairs to make her bed? And what did Miss Lucy name her baby boy?

Discover the answers to these questions inside, along with more than one hundred fabulous handclaps and street rhymes. From "I'm a Pretty Little Dutch Girl" to "A, My Name Is Alice," every one of them is as much fun to read as it is to sing, chant, or recite.

Reviews (2)

Things Have Changed a Bit
I bought this book because I have so many memories of playing many of these games when I was a little girl, and I wanted to share that experience with my child.

I was a little disappointed because many of the words are quite different from how I learned them. But it is probably unreasonable for me to expect anything different.

If you can get past the fact that these games aren't 100 percent identical to how you played them as a child, you'll find this to be a really helpful guide.

Brings back memories!
This books certainly brings back memories of games played on the playground at recess. Although some of the words are different than I learned them, as expected for such widely used rhymes, I recognized quite a few. One disappointment was that there is no indication of the music to go with each rhyme. The authors did not provide an indication of the notes to sing or even that it sounds like a common song. Also, there are some lyrics that are inappropriate for young children and others that are very sexist or condescending. This book is not for everyone and I would certainly not hand it to a young reader without editing it or carefully supervising the language used by the children. ... Read more

Book Description

The die-cut classics make superb lapbooks. 17" x 17"For children ages 3-8 years. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What fun
My daughter has learned several animal sounds thanks to this book. She loves the bright pictures and the song. We read this one often.

What a great book!
This is a terriffic book for use in the music classroom, and at home. As a book that can be either sung or read: it is versatile. It's large size and colorful illustrations draw kids attention. I have personally found it to be very effective with my kindergarten through third grade students. I highly reccommend it to anyone looking for a good book for younger kids that can be sung or read! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Pinnacle
Mots D'Heures: Gousses, Rames is one of the greatest literary entertainments ever written. It runs the gamut from touchingly nostalgic to raucous. Above all, it is howlingly funny. It makes me laugh so hard it hurts.
You need two things to enjoy Mots D'Heures: Gousses, Rames. You should know some French; and you should know some nursery rhymes. With that, the book will hit you from line to line with waves of jaw-dropping hilarity. And wit, and charm, and moments of poignant reminiscence.
The book, sadly, is out of print. Someone, somewhere, should do what it takes to get it reissued. Meanwhile, try to get your hands on a copy at any cost. Not from me, though. I wouldn't part with mine for less than tartines fortunes.

Mot D'Heures...simlement sublime
Reminiscent of Woody Allen's books, this one causes the reader to laugh outloud, uncontrollably and to the envy of everyone around. The author flies in the face of Moliere, casting Mother Goose ryhmes into french....without translating them! Equally hysterical are the footnotes explaining the more obscure linguistical twists, adding a semi-serious face to an otherwise unique humor book. To be read on a dreary day

Phonetics for Fanatics - "Sounds Like...."
With the spurious title "The D'Antin Manuscript", suspicions are immediately alerted. D'Antin = "downtown", maybe? More than likely.

The book purports to be a rediscovery of a mediaeval French manuscript and is presented with appropriate introduction, notes, etc., the usual machinery of scholars. However, upon reading the poems, the arcane nature of the French renders the lines meaningless. What kind of manuscript is this, anyway? You go with the flow - you chuck "meaning" out the window.

Read them phonetically, and suddenly the poems take shape in a Proustian way, as the nursery rhymes of your youth. Not only is the book great fun to return to a) for a laugh and b) to practise your French accent (you'll need the fluency for, e.g. "Un petit d'un petit" - Humpty Dumpty). It's also great to fake your friends out with this handy little tome.

Bring it back into print!

I'll take Mother Gousse for 1000 Alex
If you know your Nursery Rhymes, and have a passing knowledge of how to pronounciate french words - you will love this -

Un petit d'un petit S'etonne au Halles Un petit d'un petit Ah! Degres te fallent....

If you are French you probably won't get it because the trick is knowing your Mother Goose. My Dad got a copy from Santa this Christmas, published by Penguin Books in 1980. I hope that info helps some in their search.

brilliant.
The brain of this editor ranks with that of M C Escher ... Read more