And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone [Paperback]

Alvin Schwartz (Author), Susan G. Truesdell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Do your ears hang low,
Do they wobble to and fro?

If they do, you may be a folk poet! From autograph rhymes to street rhymes, from riddles to nonsense rhymes, folk poetry celebrates the vitality and originality of everyday language.

Birdie, birdie, in the Sky,
Why'd you do that in my eye?

Compiled by renowned folklorist Alvin Schwartz and illustrated with antic humor by Sue Truesdell, here is a treasure trove of more than 250 folk poems to share with friends and family. It may even inspire you to create your own!

Understand, rubberband?

Notable Children's Books of 1993 (ALA)
1993 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
1992 Books for Youth Editors' Choices (BL)
Children's Choices for 1993 (IRA/CBC)
Children's Books of 1992 (Library of Congress)
100 Books for Reading and Sharing 1992 (NY Public Library)
Bulletin Blue Ribbons 1992 (BCCB)
1993 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
1993-4 Alabama Emphasis on Reading Award

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-- A marvelous book that is sure to become a classic if children have any say in the matter. Schwartz has gathered sassy, funny, scary, and slightly naughty children's folk poetry heard on schoolgrounds and wherever else kids are having fun. Adults who stew over the appropriateness of Roald Dahl's books or Shel Silverstein's poetry may have concerns here, but kids will love having all their underground playground rhymes in one volume. Scores are included for ``On Top of Spaghetti,'' ``Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory/ Of the Closing of the School,'' and other songs. It's hard to imagine illustrations better suited to the book's silly, energized tone than Truesdell's big-eyed, animated, and humorous characters. Given plenty of white space, they tumble, goof, and guffaw across the pages, in ideal tandem with the poetry. These drawings may be in black and white, but readers will never pick up a more colorful book. Of additional interest to many people, adults in particular, are the ``Notes'' in the back on folk poets and poetry; ``Sources'' that trace the selections' origins are also helpful. Read this outrageous volume before it is shelved; once the kids discover it, it will always be checked out. --Lee Bock, Brown County Pub . Lib . , Green Bay, WI
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Not since Carl Withers's A Rocket in My Pocket (1948) has there been such a grand compilation of familiar (and unfamiliar) rhymes and chants from the children's own tradition: riddles, games, wishes and taunts; poems about love, food, school, or animals; parodies, nonsense, and stories. Schwartz organizes them by topic and/or form and provides all kinds of fascinating supporting material: an engagingly conversational introduction; general explanatory notes plus full item-by-item sources, many of which are intriguing in themselves (``Avik Roy, age 13, Detroit...1986''; ``Editor's recollection, Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp...1940''), or which give alternate versions; even an occasional tune. In b&w pen and watercolor, Truesdell's marvelous characters dance across the generously broad pages, peering inquisitively at the hilarious goings-on or gleefully joining in the shenanigans. It's hard to imagine a child who wouldn't greet this treasure trove with enthusiasm. Extensive bibliography (items ``of interest to young people'' are starred); index. (Folklore. 4+) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064462145
• ISBN-13: 978-0064462143
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alvin Schwartz is known for a body of work of more than two dozen books of folklore for young readers that explore everything from wordplay and humor to tales and legends of all kinds. His collections of scary stories -- Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, More Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, Scary Stories 3, and two I Can Read Books, In A Dark, Dark Room and Ghosts! -- are just one part of his matchless folklore collection.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real kid pleaser!!!!!!, August 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone (Turtleback)

I am a 3rd Grade teacher. To help you fully realize how much kids love this book I'll tell you that it gets stolen every year! I've had to buy this book 3 years in a row!!! It is always my class' favorite book. It has a very humorous view and introduces children to poetry. A+!!!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read aloud book, December 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone (Paperback)

I enjoy reading this book to my 15 month old daughter at bedtime. She enjoys the poems and verses as well as the illustrations. I have heard many parts of this book in my childhood, and this brings back great memories. I would recommend this book to any parent whose child likes to be read to and to any parent who enjoys folk poetry and verses. I find as a parent, this book is easy to read to a child and both members benefit from it.