My Mother Goose

August 19, 2013
McPhail’s familiar shaggy-haired toddlers and friendly animals lend themselves to this grouping of more than 60 Mother Goose rhymes. The verses flow naturally into one another. For “Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake,” a bear baker prepares to put a cake (marked with a “B”) in the oven. On the following page, for “Simple Simon,” a ginger-haired boy requests a pie from an alligator baker. Elsewhere, “Little Bo-Peep” leads into the similarly ovine “Baa, baa, black sheep,” and two bouncing children, “Jack be nimble” and “Little Jumping Joan,” share a spread. Short sections also introduce basic concepts that include shapes, colors, getting dressed, and methods of transportation. McPhail’s welcoming world of anthropomorphic animals and adventurous children is as distinctive and cozy as ever. Ages 2–5. Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

November 1, 2013

PreS-This collection includes many favorites such as "Old Mother Hubbard" and "Hickory Dickory Dock" as well as some lesser-known rhymes, such as "Little Jumping Joan." Though musical notation is not included, the songs housed within will likely be familiar to readers: "It's Raining, It's Pouring" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy," to name a few. Dispersed throughout are small picture-dictionary-style concept spreads exploring subjects like the alphabet, clothing, transportation, and actions. McPhail's illustrations, done in pen-and-ink with watercolor feature his distinctive cast of characters, both human and animal, joyfully enacting each rhyme. Readers will be pleased with this collection of classics.-Laura Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

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