Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Verses [Library Binding]

Mary Engelbreit (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2005 | Age Level: 1 and up | Grade Level: P and up

From the vast and colorful imagination of Mary Engelbreit springs a Mother Goose world bursting with warmth and humor. All the favorite time-honored characters are here -- Little Bo-Peep, Humpty Dumpty, Old King Cole, Jack and Jill, and many, many more, along with such treats as a mouse running up the clock, piggies going to market, and children dancing round the mulberry bush.

As complete as can be with one hundred rhymes in all, this is truly a book to treasure. It's a masterful collection of the adorable, the zany, and the beautiful that will be cherished for generations.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Score one for tradition. For listeners seeking a classic collection of the beloved nursery rhymes, this volume collected by author/artist Engelbreit and read in a bright and inviting tone by Redgrave will be the perfect cup of tea. The British actress is an inspired choice here, providing crisp pronunciation and lilting rhythm throughout. Cheery and playful without being silly, her performance catches all the fun-to-say and fun-to-hear elements of the verse. Marcus leads off with his praise of Mother Goose's ability to encourage children's love of language. From there, Redgrave's reading is largely unfettered, with brief pauses between each rhyme and a snippet of guitar instrumentals nestled after every 10selections. The recording works fine as a standalone, but may also serve as a read-along with Engelbreit's simultaneously released—and intricately illustrated—anthology of the same name. All ages. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–A popular artist has illustrated 100 nursery rhymes in her distinctive style, reminiscent of the work of Kate Greenaway and Tasha Tudor. Historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus provides an introduction about the staying power of Mother Goose rhymes, and Engelbreits afterword discusses her illustration process. Well-known rhymes are included, along with some that will be less familiar to both children and adults. No more than three rhymes appear on any spread, giving the layout a clean, uncluttered look. The illustrations feature children and adults of various ethnicities and ages, although almost all have the simple rounded faces and bodies for which the artist is known. Engelbreit has outfitted her characters, both fantastic and human, in a variety of period clothes, from medieval to more contemporary. Most have an English look to them–little boys wear short pants and knee socks, and little girls wear flowered dresses and pinafores. There are occasional comic touches, like the pussycat coming back from visiting the queen in shades and a pink coat, and with lots of luggage. Endpapers feature old-fashioned pastel renderings of well-known nursery-rhyme characters. This volume is likely to prove popular with children and Engelbreits adult following. A solid collection that would be useful in any library.–Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060081724
• ISBN-13: 978-0060081720
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Engelbreit's aphorisms and artwork appear on millions of greeting cards. Her popularity continues to grow due to the success of her books, calendars, home decor, stationery, and crafting products. She resides in St. Louis, Missouri.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Nice Mother Goose Collection (Mary Englebreight's MG), December 14, 2005

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Verses (Hardcover)

We borrowed this book from the library and now we are going to buy it - even though we own 3 other Mother Goose collections!

One of the reasons is the selection of poems. Somehow they have found new selections that were not included in our other volumes. Examples include: a poem which asks a mother hen how many chicks she has; one about a four leaf clover; one about a bat; and one about spinning mice and a mischievous cat.

Two poems follow:

One leaf for fame,

One leaf for wealth

One for a faithful lover,

And one leaf to bring glorious health,

Are all in a four-leaf clover.

Little Poll Parrot sat in his garret,

Eating toast and tea;

A little brown mouse jumped into the house

And stole it all away.

There are plenty of the classic poems as well so you won't miss out on Jack and Jill, nor the many sheep that M.G. writes about. And yes, it should be noted that this selection of poems has none of the `meaner' poems; ones that you wouldn't necessarily want read to babies and toddlers.

Five Stars. Great selections of poems which is prompting us to buy yet another Mother Goose book. Artwork is pastel and nice and uncluttered: generally one poem per page. [I've never been a fan of Mary Engelbreit's artwork but children are very attracted to her style and it works very nicely here.]

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A JOY FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS !, September 30, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose CD (Audio CD)

As almost everyone now knows Mary Engelbreit is no longer the little girl who copied illustrations from her mother's collection of storybooks - she has grown up to be a beloved, popular illustrator and, now that you mention it, an industry. Her sprightly, colorful art appears on everything from cups to fabrics. She's a phenomenon who has won our hearts.

I highly recommend Engelbreit's hardcover version of this title as well as the audio book, which is not to be missed as read by acclaimed actress Lynn Redgrave. She brings a rich, vibrant voice to her performances of some 100 familiar nursery rhymes. We may think we've heard Little Bo-Beep or Humpty Dumpty a number of times, but we've not heard them as read by Redgrave who injects added humor and a touch suspense to the familiar rhymes.

Introduction on the audio book is by Leonard Marcus, historian and critic of children's literature as well as the author of "Dear Genius: Margaret Wise Brown," and other titles.

This is an audio book that will be prized by both children and adults - don't miss it!

Gail Cooke

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Mother Goose Ever, September 21, 2005

By 

Eileen Walker "Book loving Granny" (Columbia, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Verses (Hardcover)

I just received my copy of Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose. I pre-ordered it last December and have been waiting patiently for it to arrive and it was well worth the wait. It is the most beautifully illustrated Mother Goose book I have ever seen, and I have seen many editions. The large colorful illustratons are sure to appeal to young children. I can hardly wait to share it with my six (soon to be seven) grandchilden. Thank you for making it available.