Editorial Review

There should be a law that requires every child to sit on Grandpa's knee as he chants "Trot, trot, to Boston; trot, trot, to Lynn." Grownups who still giggle at the thought of Little Jack Horner pulling a plum out of his Christmas pie, or who make a wish on a star, murmuring "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight" know the secret. They're the ones who will be handing down those same nursery rhymes to their own children, preserving an age-old tradition. But no child should be left behind.Read more

Reviews (28)

Enchants my 2-year-old every day, for 30-45 minutes
My son first latched on to this Mother Goose collection at about 21 months, and for the last 3 months, we've read the whole thing through nearly every day.He'll spend 30 or 45 mintues with me, reading the rhymes, enjoying the songs (there are several for which the tunes are fairly well known), and looking forward to the ones such as "patty cake" which have a game attached to them.While he's got a pretty decent attention span for his age, this is by far the activity he'll do for the longest time.He's starting to learn the rhymes himself now, and it's become a very participatory activity to read it with him.I'm enjoying it tremendously, with the warm and fuzzy, family-celebrating illustrations, the inclusion of many of my childhood favorites, and some old rhymes which are new to me, and very charming (Wibbleton to Wobbleton, for example, and The Big Ship Sails on the Alley, Alley Oh).I've hidden the other Mother Goose collections we were given as gifts, because I find this by far the most appealing, in its choices of rhymes and songs, the charm of its illustrations, and its uncrowded layouts which don't squeeze too much text onto the pages.

non-smarmy, non-creepy illustrations
Rosemary Wells's pictures are cute without being smarmy or excessively detailed.I find I don't get sick of the illustrations the way I do with other artists' renditions.

Perfect for the younger ones!
My daughter is two and a half and loves this book!It is perfect for bed time reading because you can read a lot or a little of the book.The illustrations are beautiful and reminiscent to me of some of the books I loved as a kid. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Poetry    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children's poetry    4. Children: Preschool    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Nursery rhymes    7. Poetry - Mother Goose    8. Poetry - Nursery Rhymes    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Nursery Rhymes    10. Children's Baby/Preschool   

Editorial Review

Ready or not, here she comes! That clever, mischievous, loving matriarch of the nursery knows more verses and ditties than you can shake a stick at.From the familiar "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" and "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" to the more obscure "I'm Dusty Bill from Vinegar Hill," this lovely, good-humored collection of nursery rhymes is sure to find a place on the shelf of classics. On the heels of her first award-winning collection, Read more

Reviews (9)

Sanitized Pablum
Why did she shorten a number of the poems/ditties? This reads like my radio scanning the first 10 seconds of each station. These poems were written with lots of verses, why not include them?
Love it, love it, love it !!!
We bought this book for my son when he was around 15 months old. He would spend hours carrying this book from one person to the next, wanting it to be read over and over.The repetition, the rhyming, and the order of each chapter seemed to just resonate with him.He absolutely loved it and still does.He is almost five years old now and will still take it out of his collection for bedtime reading. It is a little young for his comprehension level now, but he loves to recite the rhymes and finds comfort in its familiarity.I recommend this book wholeheartedly, especially for ages one to three.

Buy My Very First Mother Goose instead
Going strictly on my three preschoolers' (ages 5, 3, and 1)preferences, we honestly can't recommend Here Comes Mother Goose.We have spent countless hours reading/singing (and taping and repairing) Opie/Wells' first book, My Very First Mother Goose. But Here Comes M.G. just doesn't resonate with my children in the same way.If you're trying to decide between the two, we whole-heartedly recommend My Very First Mother Goose - a much-loved favorite! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Poetry    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children's poetry    4. Children: Preschool    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Nursery rhymes    7. Poetry - Mother Goose    8. Poetry - Nursery Rhymes    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Nursery Rhymes   

Reviews (4)

Getting dated.
This is the second edition, published in 1997, of the original Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes, also by Iona and Peter Opie, which appeared in 1951.The Preface to the Second Edition explains that the authors gathered many new references over the intervening four decades, and thanks several correspondents for still further additions and corrections.There is, consequently, much more information in the apparatus of the newer edition.However, the revisions are not thorough enough; I still get the sense that I am reading a book put together in the years after World War II. Simply wonderfull!
It's simply wonderfull! More than 500 nursery rhymes, lullabies and riddles with great and interesting notices about origin.

Simply wonderfull!
It's simply wonderfull! More than 500 nursery rhymes, lullabies, riddles with intresting notices about origin. A real treasure for me and for my site: www.filastrocche.it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Children's poetry    4. Juvenile Literature    5. Literary Criticism    6. Nursery rhymes    7. Poetry - Nursery Rhymes    8. Folklore    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Nursery Rhymes    10. Literature/English | Mythology & Folklore   

Reviews (2)

An invaluable reference
Everything the Opies write is fascinating and approachable, and this book is a revelation. All these tales, familiar and no-longer-so-familiar, are great to read in this age of sanitised, bowdlerised, or Disneyfied folktales. But the historical details of how the stories evolved, what and from where the variants are, and the significance of various elements of the stories - all these are of great general interest, and are also invaluable to the storyteller needing to do a bit of research.

Fairy tales as they were first printed in the English lang.
I first read this book in 1983, and was amazed with it then.It's unique and extremely interesting. Iona and Peter Opie have the original tales as first printed in the English language.Added to that is the history andthe actual gruesome origins of what we now consider children's stories! For example, Sleeping Beauty is not awakened by a kiss.Her PrinceCharming violates her while she sleeps (and since she doesn't wake up, wecan only imagine how mediocre he was...). She only awakens 9 months later,during the birth of twins! He eventually returns to her, and then the storygets more complicated with his ogre mother who wants to canibalize thechildren.The story of the Frog Prince is even stranger.Since these arethe actual tales, we can see how we've changed the stories to fit in withour culture. This is not a book for young children. The history part wasthe most fascinating to me. In addition, litle details such as learningthat Cinderella's slippers were originally made out of squirrel fur, notglass.Both words in French are spelled similarly (vaire, verre...I'm notsure of the spelling either)and the original printer had a typo that liveson til today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Fairy Tales    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    4. History and criticism    5. Literary Criticism    6. Collections & anthologies of various literary forms    7. Literary studies: general    8. Literature/English   

Editorial Review

"I saw Esau kissing Kate, / The fact is we all three saw; / For I saw him, / And he saw me, / And she saw I saw Esau." So goes the schoolyard chant that graces this brilliant collection with its title. This "Schoolchild's Pocket Book," edited by lore and literature legends Iona and Peter Opie and gleefully illustrated by Maurice Sendak, definitely belongs on every child's shelf, right next to Mother Goose nursery rhymes and Grimms' fairy tales. Read more

Reviews (2)

a sentimental favorite
I received this book for my fourth Christmas from a beloved uncle, and it has stayed with me in a cherished position ever since (though granted, that's only been about a decade and a half). Although I doubt Opie's comment that all children need to know some rhymes by which to gain popularity is entirely accurate for the playground of today, a well-placed rhyme did mark a few points of my childhood, and helped me to realize that such fools as could not appreciate the absurdity of Moses Supposes, or Eaper Weeper, chimney sweeper, weren't worth my time.
I Saw Esau
A delightful book for kids of all ages! Each page of this book has delightful, light, charming prose. The illustrations by Maurice Sendak put the final touches on a lovely, well-bound volume of reading for a family to share or a child to escape to a cozy window-seat and read. I recommend thisbook for someone who wants to give a nice, lasting gift to a special childor friend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's poetry, English    4. Children's writings    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Collections    7. English poetry    8. Folk poetry, English    9. General    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Preschool Nursery Rhymes / Poetry    12. Sendak, Maurice    13. Children's and Educational    14. Fiction    15. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Anthologies    16. Nursery rhymes   

Editorial Review

Yes, the name is familiar. E. Nesbit, who died in 1924, gave us Read more

Reviews (2)

this is not for grade school age children
I bought this to read to my 9 year old son.The language used in this book was very advanced.I found the difficulty level to be just a notch below the actual plays. I found a book called "Stories from Shakespeare" by Geraldine McCaughrean which was much better and my son is enjoying reading "Shakespeare".

Children will now understand Shakepeare!
Edith Nesbit is a wonderful writer, who keeps the integrity of the Shakespeare plays, and makes them understandable to young readers. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1564-1616    2. Adaptations    3. Children's 9-12 - Plays / Drama    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Classics    7. Drama    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Shakespeare, William    10. Shakespeare, William,    11. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    12. Literature/English | Drama | Shakespeare   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Education / Teaching    3. Games    4. General    5. Great Britain    6. History    7. Recreation (Specific Aspects)    8. Sociology    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Adolescents    11. Children    12. Customs    13. Indoor games    14. Social history    15. Sports & Outdoor Recreation   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding collection
First, I must point out the error in the Amazon product details. This book is not for ages 4 to 8. As pointed out in the School Library Journal review, the readability level is for grades 6 and above. I'm enjoying reading it aloud to my 8 year old daughter, who is fascinated by the fact that there was a Brownies children magazine in 1920. This is an outstanding collection and a "must" for every child's bookshelf.

The Best of the Brownies' Book
This is an excellent book on an important subject. I sincerely wish it was still around. Self-esteem and a positive self-concept for children of color, especially African-American children are still areas that need a lotof work. Our world is still consumed with an abundant amount of negativeimages and stereotypes of people of color. This book is wonderful incounteracting that, covering all areas of life; art, athletics, academics,social. It confronts the emotional needs of our children. Every home,school and library should have a collection of the stories and lettersfound in this book. I will certainly use it in my classroom. I wish I hadthe gift of prose so that I could properly give the type of review thisbook deserves. Not only is it appropriate for use as a tool in helpingchildren to realize their self-worth, it's also a wonderful item for thosewho wish to collect African-American artifacts but cannot afford the morecostly items. The book contains stories and poems written by known writersand by "ordinary" children of 1920-21. It also contains lettersfrom "enquiring" minds. Again, it made me wish I could own thewhole collection, not just the best of. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American children    2. African Americans    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. General    5. Juvenile literature    6. Literary Criticism    7. Literature/English | American Literature | African American   

Reviews (4)

A book that interests children in poetry!
This book helps children make the transition in reading poetry from the beloved Dr. Suess to reading more sophisticated writing. My children loved the rhymes, and related to the stories. Like Robert Louis Stevenson in AChild's Garden of Verses, Langston Hughes captures childhood in his verses.Many current writers of children's poetry appeal to children using grossstories of bodily functions and gum in the hair. Langston Hughes gives kidsmore credit than that, but still appeals to children. What kid hasn'twanted to look downon "those stuck up clowns" in real life?This book was entertaining, and made my children want to hear more fromthis author.

What a Tribute!
This book is a wonderful tribute to one of America's finest poets.The book appeals to both children and adults.The poems are whimsical and fun.In my own classroom, the children list these poems as some of their favorites.The art work inspires my students to achieve as much as theycan in their own art work. The introduction and afterward provide thereader with a history of the Harlem art's movement and Langston Hughes'contribution to this movement.The information provided could be sharedwith children, however it is written for advanced readers.Overall, thisbook is one of the most well thought out books that I have seen.

A charming book....
Although I enjoyed this book as a Langston Hughes fan, I was not sure that the children's artwork and Hughes' poetry would be appreciated by children.However, my 5-yr-old clearly responds to the rhyming text and enjoys theart.I've overheard him reciting lines from this book by memory.Therhythym is soothing and the children's art is charming.This is not Hughesat his most profound- (couldn't he have chosen "walrus" to staron the "w" page instead of a white mouse?) and does not teachkids much about the alphabet ("m" is for monkey, but we neverhear that word in the poem, instead the monkey's name- "jocko"),but it will appeal to their sense of rhyme and whimsy. I'm leaving it 5stars because of the beautiful art and catchy poems. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children's art    5. Children's poetry, American    6. Children: Babies & Toddlers    7. Juvenile poetry    8. Poetry    9. Poetry - General    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / General    11. Literature/English | Poetry | American   

Editorial Review

Good news for babies everywhere! Literature and lore expert Iona Opie and the indomitable Rosemary Wells have teamed up to create a series of Mother Goose books in a sturdy, cardboard-paged, gnaw-proof format. In Read more

Reviews (11)

Not what you're expecting
Well, let me start by saying that the little Board Book is adorable, and the illustrations are artsy and well-done.The problem I had with this book is that it's title: Humpty Dumpty and Other Nursery Rhymes, gave me the impression that I would be receiving a book that contained the character of Humpty Dumpty.The nursery rhyme is included, but the illustration is of a small rodent, and in the background, if you look for a bit, there is an inanimate egg on a shelf in one of those little egg cups like you might get at a bed and breakfast. It has no face, no clothes, no personality, no king's horses, no kings men, and no wall for crying out loud.Im living abroad, where English books are hard to find, and therefore must shop online.So, I had purchased the book as a gift for a neighbor, who has a Humpty Dumpty stuffed animal and wanted to find a copy of the book to share the story with her granddaughter.Unfortunately, what arrived has no reference to the character of Humpty Dumpty, and so doesn't really serve any purpose.Were it any of the "other" nursery rhymes so liberally interpreted, I wouldn't complain, but the title should be what was promised.Amazon offers a Look Inside, but it doesn't show the title rhyme, either, so there was no way to tell that this Humnpty Dumpty book had no humpty dumpty character.If you dont care about what characters or images come in your book, buy this one, it's awfully cute, as I said.But, if you are looking for the title character, he is nowhere to be found within.

Board book fan
I knew my first son would love books when he gnawed his way through his first two board books.Now my second son is well on his way, both paging through and chewing on the sturdy board pages of this charming and colorful edition of Humpty Dumpty.Captivating rhythms and bright attention-getting illustrations are sure to delight any fan (child or adult) of Well's animal characters. Previous reviewers expressed concern about rhymes like "Davy Davy Dumpling" but before censoring this book, I'd ask them to think back to when your child was a plump and cuddly infant. How many times did you tickle him and say "I'm going to eat you up!" Did you really mean it? When you change a diaper are you "sugaring and buttering" your baby with powders and creams? I eat my baby up several times a day and it makes him laugh hysterically!

Based on reaction of my 18 month old daughter.
I am surprised to read the reviews. I do not care about rhymes and illustrations. What I careis if my kid loves it. She always asks me readto this books at least once in a day. She is so happy when I am readingthis book for her. The thick pages are really important for small kids asthey can not tear them off. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    2. Children's poetry    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. General    5. Nursery rhymes    6. English literature: poetry texts & anthologies    7. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (5)

Nice pictures but a bit dissapointed with overall...
Heard great things about these books- but unfortunatley all the tales are just too darn short to catch any lasting attention.Nice pictures though...

Great Small Collection of Rhymes
I bought this book for my one-year-old daughter thinking it was just Wee Willie Winkie, since this was one of the first rhymes I learned as a child. Much to my pleasure and surprise, this nicely-sized board book has much more to offer: Pat-a-cake, Jack and Jill, Down at the Station (very cute train rhyme), The Brave Old Duke of York, If I Had a Donkey (one I've never heard before, but very, very cute), Dance to Your Daddy, and Star Light, Star Bright. This book will delight infants and parents
All of the Opie/Wells Mother Goose books are fantastic. Although I have the 2 volume "library edition" of their Mother Goose, this is the book we read everyday, since my daughter wants to grab and chew her books. No wonder this is her favorite:the rhymes are melodic, enchanting and accessable while the illustrations are inspired, beautiful and charming.It is the perfect introduction to the wonders and playfulness of language, for both child and parent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    3. Children: Preschool    4. General    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction / Bedtime & Dreams   

Reviews (1)

Great poetry selection
This book has a large selection of wonderful poems.Some are funny, some are touching, and all of them were enjoyable to my children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Poetry / Plays    2. Children's poetry    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Poetry - General    5. English    6. Literature/English    7. Poetry & poets   

Reviews (2)

Cute book, but the rhymes aren't as we remembered them
My daughter was given a few of these Opie and Wells books andthey fare about "average" in her collection. My one-year old loves this book!
This book of simple rhymes and funny pictures can be read over and over.My one year old laughs outload, even though we've read the book hundredsof times. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    2. Children's poetry    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. General    5. Nursery rhymes    6. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

Cute little rhyme book.
I got this in the mail today and think it's really cute. I think my daughter will really like it as I bought it for her 2nd birthday and she is really into books now. It has a lot of colorful illistrations and little rhymes that are short enough for little ones to learn quickly.

Pussycat, Pussycat: And Other Rhymes
We were first given Pussycat, Pussycat and its companion, Wee Willie Winkie, as a baby shower present.From the moment our son first laid eyes on the books, he adored them. The illustrations, which feature kitties,bunnies, and other creatures, are colorful and enticing, and of course youcan't go wrong with Mother Goose as the author!The text invites adultreaders to sing songs, create special hand motions to accompany the nurseryrhymes, and all parents and caretakers will love watching their children'sfaces light up with anticipation as they realize what rhyme comes next.Irecommend this and all other Opie/Wells books in the series. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    2. Children's poetry    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. General    5. Nursery rhymes    6. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

Another Jules Verne Treasure
Adventures of the Rat Family is one of Verne's most unusual stories, in which he diverged from his usual formula to write his only fairy tale and one of his few pure fantasies. First published in France over a century ago, it is now published in an elegant children's edition by Oxford University Press (72 pp., ...).Included are all 17 original color illustrations by Felician Myrbach-Rheinfeld, reproduced from the January 1891 holiday issue of the fashionable Parisian journal Le Figaro illustre.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    4. Fairy tales    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Folk Tales / Mythology / Fables    7. Rats    8. 19th century fiction    9. Classic fiction    10. Literature/English   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children's poetry    3. Children: Preschool    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Nursery rhymes    6. Poetry - Nursery Rhymes    7. Early learning / early learning concepts   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Chapbooks, English    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children's literature, English    5. English literature    6. General    7. Literature    8. Poetry - Nursery Rhymes   

Reviews (3)

A Wonder Book
This book belongs to the genre category of myths and legends. Out of a possiblefive stars I would rate this book a four because the content is very dense, and at times a bit hard to understand. But still, the book was very gripping. The author's vocabulary is vast, and some of the words he used I had never heard. Some of the sentences are phrased abnormally too. The sentences are considerably lengthy.
A Vibrant Treasure
This affordably priced quality paperback edition of familiar tales from Greek mythology is truly a treasure and a wonderful way to enjoy these timeless stories or to introduce them to young people.One of America's greatest writers, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote these versions of stories about Pandora, Medusa, Hercules, King Midas and the host of gods and goddesses that make up the Greek pantheon.The language is evocative and colorful yet easily understandable.You needn't worry if your high school teacher's assigned reading of "The Scarlet Letter" bored you to tears, as this collection of stories is filled with exciting adventures and vivid characters.I love the beautiful illustrations in this book.They were done by Walter Crane, one of the most popular illustrators of children's books in the late 19th century.The paintings are in the Pre-Raphaelite style in full color.The decorations at the beginning of each chapter are filled with Victorian charm and make this new editon seem like a well-loved antique.There are many excellent anthologies of the Greek myths on the market but rarely will you find one that utilizes such substantial talents as those employed by Hawthorne and Crane or that so thoroughly draw the reader in to the romantic and turbulent world of heroes, maidens and the capricious deities who stir their fates.I highly recommend this book. It is a classic that will enrich the mind and heart of a young reader and open the way for further discovery.

A Beautiful Book!
This is a remarkable book, with rich detail in both illustration and prose. Particularly wonderful for reading aloud together, my sons enjoyed this book through several years, and asked for the stories often. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    2. Classics    3. Juvenile literature    4. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Greek & Roman    5. Logic    6. Mythology, Greek    7. Philosophy    8. Folklore    9. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Anthologies    10. Literature/English    11. Myths & mythology   

Reviews (2)

Anthropology of a world like ours (but not quite)
Collected in the 50s, the Opies' LORE AND LANGUAGE OF SCHOOLCHILDREN is a compelling compendium of a world very similar to that of the 21st century but not quite. Americans will be particularly fascinated by the slight differences in customs and games among children across the Atlantic, as the Opies catalogue nicknames, rhymes, games, tricks, and half-believed superstitions and spells. fascinating reading.

Rhymes and reasons
Most of the material for this book was gathered fifty years ago in British schools, but I'm sure readers in all countries, for all time, will find it amusing and revealing. When I'd finished it, I felt I had a greater insight into children's minds and concerns, which they express, of course, in the games they play and the rhymes they say. I felt at the same time great respect for children. For unasked and unobserved, they have been keeping our traditions alive for us. Many of their dictums and ditties have changed little for hundreds of years. It seems that all the Barbies and Action Men and other expensive toys can't distract them from this valuable and enjoyable task of conservation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Studies    3. Folklore    4. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    5. Great Britain    6. Social Science    7. Social life and customs    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Sociology Of Children    11. Cultural studies    12. Customs & folklore    13. Schools    14. Social Science / Children's Studies   

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - 19th Century    6. Jubilee Singers    7. Juvenile fiction    8. People & Places - United States - African-American    9. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 19th Century    10. Literature/English