Poetry Friday - A review of Spinster Goose: Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children

The Mother Goose thymes have entertained children from all over the world for many generations now. Parents enjoy sharing their favorite Mother Goose rhymes with their children, and they often punctuate their readings with tickles, clapping games, and more. For today's Poetry Friday review I have a book that offers a very different take on the Mother Goose rhymes. Here the rhymes are considerably darker than the original ones, and they offer an amusing story to follow that has a clever cautionary element.

Spinster Goose: Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children

Lisa Wheeler

Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Poetry Picture Book

For ages 7 to 9

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4169-2541-5

   Mother Goose is a kindly soul who loves children, but sometimes the children in her care are “far beyond my expertise.” When this happens, Mother Goose sends the children to her sister who has a school that is perfect for “uncouth urchins.” So, if you are considering being naughty, read this book and you will be find out what could await you in Spinster Goose’s school.

   Spinster Goose, not wanting “to wander,” built a school where “Her rules and her staff / keep the children in line.” If you are a pincher you are pinched. If you are a biter, you get bitten. In short this is a place where brats are sent, and where they get a taste of their own medicine.

   For example there is Bobby Shaftoe who was a “Thieving little gopher” who tries to steal some treats from the teachers lounge. Little does he know that his actions are being observed and that punishment awaits him.

   Jack and Jill sneak out of school “to ditch a boring class.” Jack falls down and hurts his head and Jill goes to the nurse. Unfortunately the nurse is “the spinster’s spy” and she turns the two children in and “Jack and Jill are busted.”

   This wonderful take on some of the Mother Goose rhymes will thoroughly delight readers who like books that are a little unusual. The rhymes are often wickedly funny, and they certainly give readers an altogether different poetry experience.  

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and twenty-six

I consider myself to be lucky because my daughter is very musical. She chose to play the piano when she was five, and then she chose to learn how to play the violin when she was seven. Now we play little duets together.

In today's picture book you will meet a little boy who is forced to play the piano, even though he really does not like the instrument. Thankfully there is a happy ending to this particular musical tale.

Piano Piano

Davide Cali

IllustratedPiano Piano by Eric Heliot

Picture book

For ages 5 to 7

Charlesbridge, 2007, 978-1-58089-191-2

   Every day at 3:00, except on Fridays, Marcolino sits in front of the piano and he practices his scales. By 3:13 Marcolino has had enough, and he switches on the TV to watch cartoons, which is when his mother comes in and tells him to “Get back to the piano now!” Marcolino hates to practice the piano, but he does it to please his mother. She wanted to be a “grand pianist,” and now she wants Marcolino to practice so that he can be a “grand pianist.” The problem is that Marcolino does not want to be a grand pianist at all.

   On Fridays, Marcolino’s grandfather takes him to the science museum, and on this Friday Grandpa asks Marcolino why he likes going to the same museum week after week. Marcolino explains the museum is better than being at home because at home he has to practice so that he can become a “grand pianist.” Marcolino explains that he has to fulfill his mother’s dream, which is when Grandpa decides that he needs to set the record straight once and for all.

   This picture book is the kind of title that speaks to both children and adults. Young readers will love the way Marcolino’s piano problem is solved, and parents will receive a gentle reminder of the danger of forcing their children to do something that they really hate doing. Wonderfully quirky multimedia illustrations compliment the meaningful and often amusing story.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and twenty-five

I grew up on the other side of the world from where I live now, literally, which means that I am far away from the people that I grew up with. At times this bothers me because the people I know here do not know my story. We do not have those shared memories. Over time, we will build new ones I am sure.

Today's picture book is about two children who are the best of friends and who are deeply upset when one of them moves far away.

Half a world Away

Libby Gleeson

Illustrated by Freya Blackwood

Picture Book

For ages

Scholastic, 2006, 978-0-439-88977-3

   Amy and Louie are the best of friends. Together they have “dug holes deep enough to bury bears,” and they have seen “magical creatures in the clouds.” Every time Amy wants Louis to join her in a game, she calls out to him using her special call. “Coo-ee, Lou-ee!” she says, and Louie always comes over to join her. Similarly, when Louie would like Amy to share in his game, he calls out “Coo-ee, Am-ee!” and the little girl is soon at this side.

   Then one day Amy moves away “to the other side of the world,” and poor Louie doesn’t feel like doing any of the things that he used to do with Amy. Far apart, the two friends think about each other, “Every night and every day.” The two children are so far apart that when Louie is awake, Amy is asleep. If Louie calls Amy really loudly she will not hear him because he is so far away and because she is asleep in her bed. Or maybe not.

   In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Libby Gleeson explores the nature of friendship, and she celebrates the magical connection that a pair of children share. Freya Blackwood’s beautifully atmospheric illustrations compliment the text perfectly, capturing the warmth of the children’s friendship and the special relationship that unites them, even when they are many many miles apart.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and twenty-four

In my family, so many celebrations are associated with feasts and food. Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the cake, and the Fourth of July would feel all wrong if we didn't cook something delicious on the grill. In today's story, a girl and her family are preparing a special meal in honor of her grandparents, and things are not going as planned.

Three Scoops and a Fig

Sara Laux Akin

Illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Peachtree Publishers, 2010, 978-1-56145-522-5

   Sofia’s grandparents are coming over today, and Sofia’s father is cooking up a storm in the kitchen of his restaurant. Sofia is eager to help cook, but when she pushes the button of the blender (without putting the top on the machine) everything in the kitchen gets splattered with tomato sauce. Sofia’s father tells her that she is just too little to help.

   Later Sofia smells bread baking, and when she goes into the kitchen, she sees that mama is putting some breadsticks into the oven. Once again, Sofia wants to help, and once again something goes terribly wrong. Then, when Sofia tries to help her brother make pizza, she manages to get her dough on the ceiling fan! Poor Sofia wants so much to contribute to the celebration. Is there anything that she do that won’t go horribly wrong?

   In this simple yet warming picture book, the author celebrates the food traditions and close ties that family members share, and she shows young readers how their own creativity can make their wishes come true.

   Kathleen Hartung’s expressive illustrations beautifully capture the close family ties that run like threads through the story.

   

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and twenty-three

Last week, as per usual, I got several packets and boxes of books from publishers. When I opened one from Simon and Schuster, I pulled out a book that immediately caught my attention. The name of the book was endearing and the cat character on the cover looked funny. Right there and then I began to read the book out loud to myself and my daughter. In no time we were captivated by the hilarious story of Fuddles, a cat who has no idea that you need real survival skills to cope in the big world outside.

I would like to present...

Fuddles

Frans Vischer

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4169-9155-7

   Fuddles is a house cat who is fat, spoiled, and “pampered.” All he does is eat, sleep, and go to the litter box, and his every need is provided for. One day Fuddles decides that perhaps he needs to do more with his life. Perhaps the time has come to go outside - to answer the call of the wild.

   With great determination, Fuddles prepares for his adventure by exercising, practicing climbing, and sharpening “his hunting skills.” Fuddles is sure that he is going to do very well out there in the wild world.

   At last Fuddles gets his chance, and he manages to escape from the house when none of the people are looking. He quickly gets down to work. Carefully he stalks some birds, but when he leaps into the air with feline grace to catch his prey, the pork chops that he ate last night weigh him down and he ends up taking an unintended bath in the bird bath.

   Wet and feeling decidedly grumpy, Fuddles hears some squirrels laughing at him. Fuddles is going to teach those squirrels a lesson that they will never forget; he will climb that tree and show them. Or perhaps not. Trees are rather hard to climb when you have never done it before.

   In this delightfully amusing picture book, we meet a cat who discovers, the hard way, that life in the great outdoors might not be as fun as it looks. Who knew that the outdoors could be so confusing, complicated, and dangerous.

   With deliciously funny illustrations and a main character who is wonderfully lovable, this picture book is sure to amuse and entertain young readers. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and twenty-two

When my daughter was little she was a warbler, singing and humming little tunes all day long. Even now, at the great age of almost eleven, she hums her herself as she goes about her day. Often she does not even realize that she is doing it. 

Today's book is for all all those little warblers who love to sing.

I love to sing

Anna Walker

Picture Book

For ages 2 to 5

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-4169-8322-4

   Ollie loves to sing, wherever he is. He sings when he gets up in the morning, while he has his breakfast, in rain or shine. Sometimes he sings with his brother “just for fun.” His brother covers his ears, but Ollie doesn’t mind. Ollie even takes his songs outside into the park where he sings with the ducks and his dog Fred “who loves to bark.” Throughout the day Ollie sings his little tunes, until night falls and it is bedtime. Propped up in bed with a book and a stuffed animal, Ollie sings a “happy song for me and Fred.”

   Ollie the little zebra is the kind of book character that little children will fall in love with. This story is typical of  this series with its simplicity, its gently rhyming text, and its delightfully minimal colored ink illustrations.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and twenty-one

Not long ago my three dogs rolled in something that smelled truly awful. We tried to wipe and brush away the offending pong, but in the end all three had to have baths, and I had to use a great deal of flowery smelling shampoo to get the smell out of their coats. As I washed and rubbed I grumbled about the annoying habit that dogs have of rolling in nasty things.

For today's book I have the story of a dog who loves being smelly all the time. I guess I should be grateful that I don't have a pet like Smelly Bill.

Smelly Bill

Daniel Postgate

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Albert Whitman, 2010, 978-0-8075-7462-1

   Bill is dog who loves things that are smelly. “Muddy ponds and rubbish bins” are his favorite places because they are full of things to smell and disgusting things to roll in. Bill’s family do try to wash their stinky pet, but Bill is a wily fellow and he always manages to get away “to stink another day.”

   Then one day Bill’s family members go to the beach and Bill is left with Aunt Bleach, who is a clean fiend. As soon as she arrives at the house, Aunt Bleach gets to work and she cleans the house “from tip to toe.” Once this job is complete, Aunt Bleach focuses her attention on Bill. “It’s bathie-wathie / time for you!” she says, but Bill is not inclined to be cooperative, and soon he and Aunt Bleach are locked in a battle to try to outwit one another.

   Children who are not keen on having baths or showers will immediately feel a fondness for Bill and his stinky ways. They will laugh at loud as they follow Bill’s adventures, and will greatly appreciate the amusing ending.

   With a funny rhyming text and wonderfully expressive illustrations, this is a picture book that children will enjoy reading again and again.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and twenty

I have a pair of cats who have a very unusual fondness for foods that are decidedly uncatlike. When they think I am not looking, they try to swipe raw mushrooms, peas, pieces of apple, and I have even caught Suma with a piece of linguine in her mouth.

Today's picture book is about a cat who is lucky enough to have someone who likes to cook meals for him, but who does not realize how lucky he is.

Pino and the Signora’s Pasta

Janet Pedersen

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Candlewick Press, 2005, 076362396-2

  Every day the Signora comes and feeds Pino and the other homeless cats of Rome. All the cats are delighted to see Signora, who makes a delectable pasta sauce that is “spiced to perfection.” All the cats except for Pino that is. Pino is tired of eating pasta. He wants “a tasty chop” or a “delicious fish.”

   Determined to get something to eat that will appeal to his taste buds, Pino goes out to find a “better meal.” He soon comes to an outdoor café, where he samples a delectable fish, until a waiter tells Pino to “Shooo, cat! Shooo!” Poor Pino slinks away. Next Pino finds a pizzeria, but he is not welcome there either. Where will Pino be able to find a meal that will please his stomach and his heart?

   In this clever picture book, we meet a cat who does not realize that what he seeks is under his nose the whole time. Sometimes we have to take a journey to better understand that what we really want is something that we already have.

   With a lyrical text and amusing illustrations, this is a story that both entertains and enlightens.

Poetry Friday - A review of Birds of a Feather

Happy Friday everyone! Just the other day I discovered that the swallows are back from the south. They are already busy building their nests inside our barn. For me the arrival of the swallows means that summer is on the way, even though there is frost on the mountains this morning!

In today's poetry book, Jane Yolen gives us a very intimate look into the lives of several bird species. Her poems made me feel that I now know these birds not just as beautiful animals to admire, but as creatures that have personalities.

Birds of a Feather

Jane Yolen

Photographs by Jason Stemple

Poetry Picture Book

For ages 8 to 12

Boyds Mills Press, 2011, 978-1-59078-830-1

   People of all ages love watching birds. They peer at them through binoculars, take photos of them, and read bird guides and other books to learn all about them. Often bird enthusiasts have all kinds of facts and figures at their fingertips, and they can talk at length about the habits of the birds that they study.

   In this exceptional book of poetry, Jane Yolen invites bird lovers to look at birds in a new way. What makes the poems special is that they are full of surprises. Jane uses humor and an uncanny eye for detail to help us see the birds in an altogether more familiar and personal way. For each of the fourteen bird species described, she gives us a poem and some informative text. Her poetry is accompanied by wonderful photos that were taken by Jason Stemple.  

   Jane begins by telling us about the “Regal Eagle.” When you look at the photo, the bald eagle certainly looks very regal. What many people don’t know is that this “king” is no match for a “mob of crows” that can drive the eagle away “wing to wing.” It would appear that the bald eagle is not all powerful after all.

  Later on in the book, there is a haiku for a “Cool Kingfisher.” In the photo, we see a belted kingfisher sitting on a piece of dead wood. The bird does look “cool” because it has something that many people would love to have: the bird has a “blue Mohawk” of feathers that stick up from its head.

   The Hooded Merganser’s appearance is also commented on in a poem in which Jane asks, “Is that a marshmallow on your head?” The question is funny, and it is also the kind of thing anyone might wonder as they look at a hooded merganser. The bird does look like it has a marshmallow on its head. In addition is has a distinct “circus clown” look about it with its orange eyes and its odd looking plumage.

   The combination of the beautiful photos and Jane Yolen’s creative and intimate poems makes this book of poetry wonderfully accessible for readers of all kinds.

   

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and nineteen

Today is Arbor Day here in the U.S. It is a day when people come together to plant trees and to appreciate trees for their beauty and for the many things they give us. Today's picture book tells the story of how one town started a tradition of planting trees every spring.

Arbor Day Square

Kathryn O. Gilbraith

Illustrated by Cyd Moore

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Peachtree Publishers, 2010, 978-56145-517-2

   Katie and Papa live in a new town on the prairie. New buildings pop up every week, and the town now has stores, a church, and a schoolhouse. In what is going to be the town square Papa paces out the land, planning where paths will go. When it is ready, the town square will be where the townsfolk gather for concerts, socials, speeches, and celebrations. There is one thing that is missing though. There are no trees.

   At a town meeting the townsfolk decide that their town needs trees, and they all chip in some money to buy fifteen young trees. Eagerly the townsfolk wait for their trees, and then at last the baby trees arrive on a train. The saplings “spindly and green” don’t look like much, and it is hard to believe that they will ever provide shade and beauty in the town square, but Papa tells Katie “Don’t worry. They’ll grow.”

   Together the townspeople, young and old, work to plant the trees in what will be the new town square. They plant trees near the school and church, and Katie and Papa plant a flouring dogwood in memory of Mama, who is no longer with them.

   That evening the townsfolk dance and picnic under the stars, and they decide to have a tree planting celebration the following year.

   In this wonderful picture book, the author and illustrator tell the story of how a small prairie town starts a tree planting tradition. The author and Illustrator beautifully capture the pride that the townsfolk have in their trees, and the pleasure those trees give to people for generations to come. The tradition of planting trees every spring connects the people to their past, and to their future.

   The story is loosely based on the true story about the first Arbor Day, which was celebrated in Nebraska in April, 1872.