Reviews (10)

Fantastic, the new Christmas classic, everyone should own it
This book will be a great gift for any transplanted Cajun. I recieved this as a gift many Christmas"s ago. It has a special place on my bookcase, and is shown to all my guests. I brought it to work, read it in its true nature to my co workers and they all wanted a copy of it. This book is a must for all households, large and small. It is heart warming, and comical. Sometimes I take it out of my bookcase and hug it, that is how special it is to me. No home should be without it.

Cajun Night= Guaranteed Pleaser of All Ages
This book I used in a Christmas theme when I student taught 3rd grade. They absolutley loved it. Not only was it funny but very very well written and entertaining. In fact, when I came back to visit them a week after I left, they made me read it again. Good spinoff of The Night Before Christmas.

Cajun Night Before Christmas
I have had this book for almost twenty years, and every Christmas my friends beg me to read it to them with my Cajun accent. This is such a FUN book for children and adults, and it is written in the Cajun dialect so that it is easy to have a Cajun accent. I have never met anyone who didn't fall in love with this book! Buy it! You won't be sorry, and it will become a family heirloom for many generations to come.

A New Way To View Santa Claus....
Looking for a new way to view Santa Claus? Well, here is the book for you. This book takes a folklore view of Santa in Louisiana. The illustrations are warm, friendly and give the reader a glimpse on how Christmas is celebrated on the bayou. :)

One of the BEST holiday stories ever!
My father used to read this story to us ever Christmas when I was young. It still makes me laugh, just as hard now, every time I hear it. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A review from a African American parent's prospective
Maybe the thing about this books that offends me the most is that all the pictures are depicted as African Americans. I notice in the review that they said the book is geared toward young adults. I have the book in hand and it distinctly says 'An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division'. Even so, I myself find this book to be inappropriate for young minds. I personally feel that it has no place in a public library where it will be accessible to influence our youth's minds. I also don't believe that the reviews would be quite so good if all the pictures in the book were of Caucasian men. However I do realize that this is only my opinion and Carolyn Phelan is as always entitled to her opinion. I just believe as an African American parent that we as a race should block this book from our youths.
Yes the Mother Goose tales are a little gruesome, but come on now..there's a big difference between cutting off a mouse's tail and just for fun...plunge the knife and cut and run. Do we really want young impressionable minds reading this kind of (for use of a better word) crap?. Some of the poems are in keeping with the Mother Goose theme, but too many are way over the top with the violence. Take it from me, you do not want your child reading this book. It is banned in my household.

What if Mother Goose lived in the ghetto?
I first heard Eve Merriam's "The Inner City Mother Goose" in 1971, when it was part of the Oral Interpretation performed by Richard Quezada that won the New Mexico State Speech contest. Rick had a wonderful deep voice, the sort that radio DJs would die for, and he made these poems really come alive. Today people get all excited by politically correct fairy tales, but for our generation it was Merriam turning nursery rhymes on their head to reflect the realities of the urban ghetto that were a sign of the times. These are not parodies, but telling satires that take beloved nursery rhymes as their point of departure. Most of the time her starting points are perfectly clear, as with "Simple Simon, "Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick," and "If." Besides, not all of her reference points are nursery rhymes, because you will also see the echoes of Christmas carols (e.g., "Twelve Rooftops Leaping"). Other poems simply are in the general style of children's rhymes, albeit with more serious intent (but then remember, "Ring Around the Rosie" was about the Black Death).

The language of some of these poems was shocking back in 1969, but, of course, today these words would not cause a ripple on a rap album. However, what is important is that here we are decades later and do any of us doubt that the world of which this poems speak still exists? This volume contains the text of the 1982 expanded edition, with a new introduction by poet Nikki Giovanni, and ten full-color paintings by David Diaz. Final Note: You know, the "real" Mother Goose (Elizabeth Vergoose) is buried in Boston's Old Granary Burial Ground, along with the victims of the Boston Massacre, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. Given her final resting place is amongst the patriots of the American Revolution, no, I do not believe she is spinning in her grave over Merriam's poems.

Inner City Mother Goose
I enjoyed and recommend this book because Merriam writes from the point of veiw of a person living in the situation, not of one looking down on it. She portrayed things the way they were then, and sadly, the way they are now.

Food for Thought
Dubbed a "powder keg" by LIBRARY JOURNAL when it was first published in 1969, THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE is probably Eve Merriam's most influential, provocative, and controversial book. It was the source of two musical plays, INNER CITY, which opened on Broadway in 1971, and STREET DREAMS, which opened in 1982, the same year a new edition of the book was released. A third edition, with an introduction by poet Nikki Giovanni, was published in 1996.

Like the original Mother Goose rhymes, THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE delivers social and political commentary. It is less subtle than Mother Goose rhymes, however. It will take many readers outside their own neighborhoods -- and their own comfort zones -- as it vividly depicts the brutal reality of life in contemporary urban areas: the poverty, the violence, the oppression, the filth, the corruption, the desperation. Still, readers are likely to recognize that they share many dreams with the INNER CITY characters: for love, fairness, education, a decent home, gainful employment.

Many of the rhymes echo the words and/or the rhythm of familiar Mother Goose rhymes, creating the illusion of playfulness and innocence. Often the last line of a poem takes an unexpected twist that ambushes the reader as if he or she were being mugged on a dark street.

Eve Merriam said, "I have been told that THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE was at one time the second most banned book in the country. I didn't write it for children. It was never intended to be a children's book. But it has percolated down, certainly to high school and junior high."

THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE offers much food for thought and discussion -- from the forms it mimics to the social situations it portrays. Teen and pre-teen readers might need guidance to distinguish between a lifestyle described and a lifestyle endorsed.

Inner City Mother Goose in Education
While the language of Eve Merriam's Inner City Mother Goose seems shocking at first glace, it is a very accurate depiction of the happenings in the inner city. As a future educator, I firmly believe that the words in this book can be used to reach these less fortunate children far better than the book's counterpart. Not only did Merriam's book create contoversy, but it created a bridge for those who live in that world to those who have not experienced it. The language is depictive of the society, and Diaz's illustrations and use of color illuminate the child's eye view of their world. This book is a required reading for any person who deals with children from this background in order to not only gain a better understanding of the child, but of your own world. ... Read more

Book Description

Tomie dePaola's whimsical and winning illustrations bring to life an enchanting selection of 48 Mother Goose songs and rhymes from the highly acclaimed Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose.Praise for Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose:From start to finish, a treasure house of delight.Just waiting to be shared with children. -- Booklist, starred reviewDestined to become a classic. -- The Horn BookTomie dePaola lives in New Hampshire. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Amazing
My kids love this book, it is amazing. The art work is incredible, what an imagination he has. It is worth every penny. It is a book for children and adults.

Rhymes & Reasons : An Annotated Collection of Mother Goose R
This was a very well produced book; it is a large book containing beautiful color pictures and a fold out poster. The art is based around a three-paneled painting containing 73 famous and not so famous rhymes. They outright tell you 72 of them and challenge you to guess the last one (the rhyme itself, a history of the rhyme, and often a highlight on where to find the rhyme in the print).

It is extremely fun to look at and read with children, my two children love it. James Christensen's work is absolutely beautiful and so rich in detail and color.

I would give this book two thumbs way up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Six goofy dinosaurs lurk behind the flaps in pop-up whiz David Carter'scolorful Flapdoodle Dinosaurs. Readers peek inside a loaf of bread, anold radio, a china teapot, and more to discover such winsome characters asDiplodocus Blue ("she often whispers 'I love you'") and Triceratops Pink ("shehunts all day long for Green Pickle Pie"). Each dino leaps off the page in anexplosion of color and feats of paper engineering genius. Designed for theyounger reader, this appealing book names real dinosaurs, but fictionalizes themwith nonsense rhymes that describe their personalities and favorite activities.Take Spinosaurus Purple, for example.

(His friends just call him Murple.)
His favorite drink is a Melon Slurple,
it makes his stomach go
gurple
gurple
GURPLE.

Reviews (3)

colorful fun pop-up dinosaur poems
This colorful book features six pop-up dinosaurs accompanied by short nonsense rhymes. Readers lift the flap of each two-page spread to reveal a brightly colored dinosaur and a goofy poem. the final pop-up contains all six dinosaurs and the words "Flapdoodle dinosaurs say Good night, sleep tight, we'll see you again tomorrow night"

Fun introduction to poetry and dinosaurs for the littlest readers.

Flapdoodle Dinosaurs
This is a wonderful book! My son received this as a gift when he was born. He is one year old now and it is still his favorite book. Of course, he cannot look at it alone as he would pull out all of the popups if I let him! I highly recommend this book.

Wonderful
This is a great teaching book. Children learn about colors, counting and dinosaurs. It also has a great pronounciation guide on the back cover. Fun humor as the dinosaurs come to colorful and verbally creative life with the turn of each page. ... Read more

Book Description

Do your ears hang low,
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie them in a knot,
Can you tie them in a bow?

Snuggle up with Blue and all her friends as they introduce your child to everyone's best-loved nursery rhymes in this charmingly illustrated storybook collection. From Hey Diddle Diddle to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, little ones will be enchanted by the playful songs and rollicking verse that have amused, entertained, and delighted children for generations. Share these timeless classics with your favorite Blue's Clues fan! ... Read more

Book Description

Little Bo Peep
can't get to sleep.
She kicked her
blankets to a heap.

When Little Bo Peep can't get to sleep, her mother suggest counting sheep. But Peep can't count her sheep because she's lost them. Her brother, Little Boy Blue, who scared off the sheep in the first place, warns Peep she'll be in big trouble if she tells Mom and Dad. It's no wonder Peep can't catch a wink, even when Humpty Dumpty finds her flock. That tummy ache just won't go away until she tells her parents the truth about her missing sheep.

From the same winning team who created Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox, Little Bo Peep Can't Get to Sleep will strike a chord with every child who's ever had trouble fessing up! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

New Spin on an Old Tale
Who knew Little Bo Peep's brother was Little Boy Blue? Or that his shenanigans (those darn little brothers!) caused her sheep to go missing, giving Poor Peep a sleepless night? The author has artfully lifted characters from an assortment of well-loved fairy tales and created something witty and new. Written in bouncy rhyme, with cameos by Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, and the Farmer in the Dell, and others, this charming story will have little ones nodding in recognition at the familiar names, while they root for the reunion that will allow Peep to get her beauty sleep. Terrific for bedtime, or story hour. The stylized illustrations have a funky retro look that adds to the appeal.

LIttle Bo Peep Joins Goldie Locks
This is a very cute book with great rhyming words and an appearance by many Mother Goose favorites. It is a fun story with a moral about telling the truth.My niece loved Ms. Dealey's first book, Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox, and was excited to see this one that is similar in style. The retro drawings are very clever. Great young reader book! ... Read more

Book Description

A beloved classic of children’s poetry

“Only the rarest kind of best in anything can be good enough for the young,” wrote Walter de la Mare, and this handsome reissue of Rhymes and Verses, an anthology of all his poems for children, does indeed offer the “rarest kind of best” to a new generation of young people.

De la Mare’s verse recaptures the direct appeal of the nursery rhyme in poems of amazing variety, poems marked by charm and freshness and an irresistible rhythmic force and immediacy. They should be part of every child’s reading experience.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

a joy!
I discovered the work of Walter de la Mare poem by poem. Reading through anthologies, I picked poems I liked, and often found his name at the bottom of them. I recently bought this anthology, which puts together several of his earlier volumes of poetry for young people. Young, I think, is any age under 130. I am 42 years young, and love the magic de la Mare makes with language.
Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

"Gee lee, gu lu, turn the cake. Add some oil, the betterto bake. Gee lee, gu lu, now it's done. Give a piece to everyone."Children of all lands will welcome this enchanting collection of poems, lullabies, counting rhymes, and songs from the Chinese oral tradition."These versions retain the mood and graceful tone of the originals...Ed Young's illustrations, inspired by calssic Chinese art, show a master's use of line, color, and pattern." -- The New York Times book Review"Beautifully conceived and designed." -- Booklist"Ed Young's paintings charm the eye and ...make a gentle, almost luminous visual re coming together, and apart, in Los Angeles. Fresh and in-your-face, this witty novel depicts a world where women sometimes have to alter their dreams, but never have to stop embracing the future. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A nice addition to Western Mother Goose rhymes
There is a wealth of Western "Mother Goose" to share with children, but this is a wonderful alternative for Westerners who are looking for something "different." My five-year-old especially enjoys the riddles. I do not know how accurate the translations are, but they have a nice sense of rhythm and rhyme -- exactly what you expect in a nursery rhyme.

Disappointed
... The rhymes were not v. good or catchy for a child, and did not flow. I bought the book for the Chinese translation, but was disappointed with the caligraphy and Chinese in the rhymes. The English translation seem OK, but translations are not really for reading out loud. One star for the good pictures which my daughter liked. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nine yummy scratch-and-sniff smells, from the mulberry bush to hot cross buns!Your nose will tell you these are the best nursery rhymes in the world, and the kids will love it (and learn from it). ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Caution: this book will make "displaced" Texans homesick!
Our children were given this book by my aunt, who has started a tradition of Texas-themed gifts, so that they will not forget their "heritage."

I must admit that this book sat for quite a while during our most recent time of settling in here in the Middle East (we are humanitarian aid workers). When our oldest son asked for it to be read recently, I was expecting the typical one item/picture per letter alphabet book. I was pleasantly surprised with the engaging rhyming text and loved the list of towns for each letter (although my children did get tired of, "Oh, look that's where Aunt So-and-so" went to college," etc.).

Bottom line: this is a truly delightful book which actually manages to cover what it means to be a Texan, from past to present.

If you are a Texan, displaced or otherwise, I highly recommend purchasing this book, and I, personally, am placing several orders for gifts.

Interesting and Entertaining
Although I am not a native Texan, I have choose to live here. Texas Alphabet can be enjoyed by everyone who has a love for state trivia or the alphabet. Each letter is used to tell about things unique to Texas, and many of the cities (large and small) are included throughout the book. As a middle school teacher, I found this book to be a great way to get my students interested in Texas history and have fun at the same time! A must read for parents and teachers alike! (You don't have to be a TEXAN, ya'll ,to enjoy this book--the author is from Mississippi and wrote the entire book from research done via Internet!) This picture book could also be enjoyed on the elementary level when doing a unit on the 50 states. Enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Alaska Mother Goose
Having this book since I was a baby, I have loved it up until now. I think I always will! The Alaska Mother Goose, by Shelly Gill and Illustrations by Shannon Cartwright, is a book filled with different rhymes about animals, and the habits that they do in Alaska.
The book describes each animal, starting out with snow geese, then to the end with a child, gazing at the Northern Lights. The poems are hilarious and lighthearted. The sea otter floats without a care, the black bears mouths turn blue from eating too many berries, and a porcupine's prickles get filled with berries from sitting on a cranberry bog! At the end of the book, there is a glossary filled with every animal mentioned in the book describing its name, and what it is.
If you want to get your child more familiar with animals, I think this book is perfect. It's very realistic and informational! Humorous at the same time.

a must have for nature and Alaska-lovers!
Wonderful, fun book... animals who live in Alaska each have their own nursery rhyme that describes the animal and its' habitat. Illustrations are fun and some of the rhymes are hilarious. I loved the book so much I purchased it while on my honeymoon before our children were even conceived! Definately unique. Different than other books in that both the child and the parent enjoy reading this book.

It's wonderful
As you may guess from the title, this book is comprised of variations on Mother Goose rhymes with a theme of wildlife found in Alaska.The authorhas a wonderful command of words and I love the images she creates.Thedelightful illustrations compliment the text well.The rhymes have thecharm of traditional Mother Goose rhymes, but are mixed with inspiringimages of nature rather than images of violence (the baby and cradlefalling, etc.).I am so happy to have run across this book.

Superb for children from all locales
My daughter particularly loves the Alaskan version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"We live in Alaska, and she has seen the northern lights--she learned "Twinkle Twinkle Northern Lights" first. Thisis a great book ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Still love it even though my kids have out grown lullabies!
I love this book!! It was a very special book for both of my children. I love the Judy Collins tape that came with the book!! I still listen to it from time to time. My children also loved when I sang to them using the songs from the book. I'm sure every parent and child will hold this book near and dear to their hearts just as my family does - even though they've grown past the lullaby stage!!

A classic!
I am in my way of buying this book for the second time. My first copy (8years old) got damaged in a flood. When my first child was a baby we bought it and we both enjoyed it. The rhymes and the colorful drawings in each page were highly atractive for my baby. As English as my second language it was very interesting for me too. We bought also the video and the cassette which makes the book more interesting for my growing child. The video starts with lively music and the same lyrics of some of the lullubies, and is slowing down from page to page, setting the tone to sleep. The voice of Judy Collins is wonderful. The combination (book and video) was powerful and my second child wants to have the book too. When I can't sing for them before sleep, they can hear the cassette and I can rest for the day.

how cute!
This book is a keeper. I first purchased this book to ease my 3 year old's fear of go to sleep. I used to have such a difficult time putting him to sleep. But after reading this book to him a couple of times he actually looked forword to going to bed just so I could read this book to him. Although I must admit he enjoys looking at the pictures a little bit more than the reading part. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Delightful book!
I loved this book for my son when he was little. It teaches positive, Christian principles without being preachy, and it is a good alternative to traditional nursery rhymes, which don't really teach much of anything at all.

still the same
I enjoyed reading this book to my children 25 years ago.Now that they have their own children (...)and they have asked for it for their children.I am a bit jealous that they will get such a bigger book with more content, but thrilled that I can share this not only with my children but also with my grandchildren.It is a joy to find Bible-based ideas in our favorite nursery rhymes!!

Loved it as a kid!
I loved this book as a kid, and have it at my Mom's house. We used to read them together for hours. I remember the characters vividly, even telling my husband some of the stories. Now that I am expecting my first, I want to buy him/her a copy so that I can share it with my children also!

This book is GREAT!
My husband bought this book for us this past spring. My children, who are almost 2 and almost 4, both love this book. I am glad to have found a book that encourages the values that I am trying to teach them, such as honesty,being helpful to others, and other similar values. I recomend this book toanyone who has children, young or older.

Memorable Text Children Will Remember Into Adulthood
I had this book read to me as a small child and the stories and rhymes have stayed with me over the years.I recommend this book to any person who wants quality entertainment at a reasonable price with morals andvalues taught and memories to remember for a life time. ... Read more

Book Description

"Twinkle, twinkle, Little Star, How I wonder what you are..."

Now blue can help you read your child to sleep with these classic nursery rhymes! ... Read more

Amazon.com

From "Humpty Dumpty" to "Old Mother Hubbard" to "HeyDiddle, Diddle," Mother Goose rhymes have tickled our fancy,generation after generation. It's hard to imagine a world withoutthese classics of childhood. This big, sturdy board book boasts 15favorites, whimsically and colorfully illustrated by StevenHaskamp to capture the magic of the cow jumping over the moon andthe mouse running up the clock. Loosely grouped in clusters(there's a page with nighttime rhymes, and another with sheeppoems), the verses are printed in a fun, fancy typeface, whichnevertheless may be slightly difficult for younger readers todecipher. Embedded in the cover of the book is an audiocassettewith a musical adaptation of each rhyme composed and performed bypopular singer-songwriter Carly Simon.The tunes are lovely,if faintly dark. Simon's deep, resonating voice has an odd traceof menace in spite of the fantastic silliness of the well-lovedrhymes. Each one has a different style, as interpreted by Simonand her accompanist Teese Gohl. Especially well done is "HickoryDickory Dock," in which the rhythm of the ticking clock pulsesthroughout the ditty. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Needs to be made available with a compact disc
Unlike a previous scathing review I think this book with music is perfect for the age of the child in which it is intended. Little minds have a limited attention span. I have purchased numerous copies for friends and relatives who have or are having children and it goes over big everytime. The only thing preventing me from granting this book 5 stars is that it is only avaliable with a cassette! How antiquated for being released in 2000. This book in in desparate need of being updated with a compact disc. Other than that, it is perfect for the little ones.

What a waste!
Not only is the accompanying tape only about 10 min in total length, but there are only about 10 rhymes in the whole book!

I bought this for my nephew as a 'starter nursery rhyme' book. My SIL likes to sing, &thought this would be good for all. After receiving,they were strangely silent about it. When I finally visited last wk, I was horrified to see how badly I'd been ripped off. I couldn't apologize enough.

#1 - each little verse is sung only once.
#2 - as mentioned, the tape looks like a joke. If it plays 5 whole min before it needs to be switched to other side, I'd be surprised.
#3 - They could've at least made the book better, by putting each verse on it's own page w/picture, but no, it's a couple per page with one main graphic & tiny ones maybe for the other verses.

Book is good for toddlers, with hard pages, but is so short, & the TAPE IS SO SHORT, that it is a total waste of time to even put in a cassette player.

Was Carly desperate for a payck or did she just not care????

A wonderful book!
It is a whimsical and enchanting book! My 3 1/2 year old daughter requests it every night. She has memorized all the rhymes, and it is a complete delight to listen to her sing along. Thank you Carly Simon for bringing such joy to our bedtime routine!

This book is a treasure for children and adults alike!
Carly Simon has done a wonderful job with this book of classic Mother Goose rhymes. The book is very colorful, which helped keep my niece's attention, and the illustations will be loved by the kids. Carly's tape of the ryhmes is pefect for children to listen too, and quite nice for Carly's "older" fans as well. This is a must for every child's collection! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gentle and Lovely
The book is a very soothing, before bed kind of book. My 2 year-old son used to like touching the gold metallic shapes that adorn each page, and now he still likes it, but more for the soothing qualities. It's the kind of book you'd imagine Meryl Streep narrating. ... Read more