Mother Goose's Little Treasures (My Very First Mother Goose) [Hardcover]

Iona Opie (Author), Rosemary Wells (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2007 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: My Very First Mother Goose

The world’s most respected Mother Goose folklorist reunites with one of the great illustrators of our time to present a rare selection of rhymes to share and treasure.

From the far reaches of shared memory come these charming but little-known nursery rhymes, mysterious tidbits of lore brought back to shining life by the shared talents of the two most beloved Mother Goose treasurers, Iona Opie and Rosemary Wells. MOTHER GOOSE'S LITTLE TREASURES is a gem in itself, allowing the littlest listeners — and the most discerning collectors — to discover a selection of marvelous rare nursery rhymes made new again.

From the Introduction:

These rhymes are a confirmation that though we must live in the real world, we need to know the way to another world, where there are no limits and nothing is certain. . . .

Just turn the pages, and look and listen, and say, as I do, Oh yes, oh yes, of course!

— Iona Opie

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS—This third collection by Opie and Wells includes 22 less-familiar rhymes. According to Opie's introduction, "…the little treasures in this book…are the most mysterious fragments of our shared memory." Some rhymes are silly ("Little old dog sits under a chair,/Twenty-five grasshoppers/snarled in his hair….") Others are surreal. For example, "Mother, May I?" poses the question, "Mother, may I go out swimming?," which is answered, "Yes, my darling daughter;/Hang your clothes on a hickory limb,/But don't go near the water." Meanwhile, the picture shows a little girl, waist-deep in a pool, pulling a little boat and holding a doll that looks just like the little girl, which does transform this playful verse into something, yes, mysterious. Many of the characters make multiple appearances, and many are Wells's characteristic rabbits and cats. The very nature of this book makes it a less-essential purchase than this team's My Very First Mother Goose (1996) or Here Comes Mother Goose (1999, both Candlewick), so possibly only larger collections or libraries with lots of Rosemary Wells fans will want it.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* In her introduction, Opie notes, "If I am Mother Goose's self-appointed treasurer, then Rosemary Wells is definitely her illuminator." Truer words were never spoken. This gem, comprising 22 tidbits from little-known nursery rhymes, shines with the charm of old-time rhymes and with Wells' beloved animal and child characters, set down in her signature style. As with familiar Mother Goose rhymes, the ones here don't always make sense, but they exude syncopated silliness and fun: "Mrs. Whirly / Mrs. Whirly sells fish, / Three ha'pence a dish; / Don't buy it, / don't buy it, / It stinks / when you fry it." What's more, the quirky nature of many of the rhymes provides a clean slate for Wells' inspired playfulness. This title joins Opie and Wells' two previous collections, My Very First Mother Goose (1996) and Here Comes Mother Goose (1999), to form a exceptional trilogy, which—given that Wallace Tripp's Granfa' Grig Had a Pig (1976) and Arnold Lobel's Gregory Griggs and Other Nursery Rhyme People (1978) are now hard to find—will keep Mother Goose's less-familiar rhymes alive. Like Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose (1985), this third Opie-Wells treasury of treasures is likely to become a staple in children's collections. Cummins, Julie

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (August 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076363655X
• ISBN-13: 978-0763636555
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 0.5 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to a child's library, November 13, 2007

By 

Bri Meets Books (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mother Goose's Little Treasures (My Very First Mother Goose) (Hardcover)

Mother Goose's Little Treasures, by Iona Opie and Rosemary Wells, isn't your mother's Mother Goose. The collection consists of twenty-two Mother Goose rhymes plucked from obscurity by the world's foremost Goose folklorist.

The book's introduction bears a lovingly-crafted appearance, with an explanation of its origin. We learn the stories contained within are "the most mysterious fragments from our shared memory: long-ago laughter of little meaning and echoes of ancient spells."

This sweet opening, in which Opie describes the rhymes as "confirmation that though we must live in the real world, we need to know the way to another world, where there are not limits and nothing is certain," is the perfect description for the collection. It fills the reader with the want to see the rhymes operate on two levels, as stories for the present and as verbal heirlooms for future generations. By putting these to paper, one hopes they're no longer shut in the minds of readers, but repeated, chanted, and sung aloud.

Hopefully, this is the case, as this collection is absolutely charming. The rhymes vary in length, and soft illustrations by famed children's author Rosemary Wells of Max and Ruby fame accompany them. I found the images highly appealing - the colors are still varied, but soft and not harsh to baby's gentle eyes.

The rhymes themselves are fun and whimsical, capturing the very essence that is Mother Goose. When read aloud, rhythms vary from lilting lullabies (The Moon Shines Bright) to silly song (Mrs Whirly). A departure from the usual, they're from long ago, yet appear timeless. In this age of "edutainment" this is a welcome addition to a child's bookshelf, that one would return to time and time again.

4.0 out of 5 stars cute book, January 12, 2008

By 

Vinnie B. (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother Goose's Little Treasures (My Very First Mother Goose) (Hardcover)

This is a cute book. I love the drawings. There are several nursery rhymes that I have never heard before, but they are all funny and goofy. A nice addition to my child's library.