The Real Mother Goose

This book has all the classic Mother Goose rhymes. I had this book as a child and it was well loved by both me and my sister. The pictures that go along with the rhymes are well done. This is a book that I buy for all of my friends when their babies are born. I still have mine to this day in my classroom, and my students would tell you it's 5 stars too!

This was probably the first title in my life that I designated my favoite book. Around age three this is the book I'd want read to me OVER and OVER. It got to the point where my parents or Grandma would bribe me into letting them read me something else, but, nope, I stuck to my guns and this was the one I wanted. Although by four I knew every rhyme here by heart, I loved hearing them read to me, those magically connecting syllables that were dubbed "rhymes". I also fell in love with the cover on this edition, that witch-looking old lady in the archaic clothes, and several times per session I'd ask whoever was reading to me to stop so I could look at the cover. Then I'd lean as close as I could and peer at the bright colors that surrounded the drab, leering figures. I can remember time and time again getting The Real Mother Goose down to lie flat on the floor and stare at the cover and then examine the pictures inside. It was great stuff!

In retrospect, this book was my first literary love and I still have my copy today. I can't believe anyone would ever have anything but gushing praise for these funny-sounding old words welded into rhymes that speak of olden times. As for me, I still love them all and STILL find myself staring at the somehow macabre cover illustration! This book is just plain awesome.

This is the book I remember from my childhood, sixty years ago. It was selected by my mother, a children's librarian.

In the past several years, I have given a copy to each of my friends in celebration of their first grandchild and it never fails to please, both for the memories it brings back and the delightful rhythms created by reading aloud. The illustrations are nostaligc but attractive to young eyes, with details to point out, a new one with each reading. And you'll be surprised at the "origins" of many familiar phrases and enjoy hearing these versions of old favorites. (It's as much fun for the grown-ups as the kids.)

I have long advocated reading to babies to get them used to having a book in front of them. If you give a child a love of reading and books, they can teach themselves anything they want to learn.

The Bookschlepper

I still have this book from when I was a child. It has been read a hundred times over and is the best Nursery Rhyme/Mother Goose I have read. The pictures of an old-world quality that should make anyone smile. The rhymes are a delightful mix of popular with the not-so popular. It is a classic.

This is the perfect first book to read with baby. Every nursery rhyme is included, and some more. The pictures are delightfully traditional and colorful. Little babies love the black and white checkered cover. I am buying one for my first grandchild. Enjoy!