Mother Goose's Pajama Party

August 17, 2015
Smith and Allyn romp through the Mother Goose canon as characters like Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary and the Dish and the Spoon prepare for a slumber party thrown by Ms. Goose herself. The invitation is written in the stars (Mother Goose’s magic-tinged version of skywriting), and the opening pages feature the characters telling each other about the party: “Wee Willie Winkie spread the word/ and Georgie Porgie overheard./ He told Bo-Peep with one quick kiss,/ then shared it with another Miss.” (It’s a good way to introduce everyone, if not to move the story along.) Allyn’s digitally created illustrations have the warmth of acrylic paintings, and she gives her ethnically diverse young cast round faces, gleaming eyes, and fuzzy heads of hair. The atmosphere is definitely slumber party cozy, especially after the children settle down to hear Mother Goose read stories from her “famous book.” Fifteen Mother Goose rhymes are reproduced at the end, allowing the book to serve as a nursery rhyme primer in more ways than one. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Ronnie Ann Herman, Herman Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Mela Bolinao, MB Artists.

August 15, 2015
Mother Goose throws a storytime slumber party for all her favorite characters. As word spreads about the party, the stars of these famous rhymes start making their ways to Mother Goose's house. "Wee Willie Winkie spread the word / and Georgie Porgie overheard." The gathering parade of guests walks single file down the final crooked mile to Mother Goose's gate. Relying more on image than text, this concept book belies its bedtime title as readers are engaged to surmise the rhymes of origin. Youngsters will enjoy these familiar characters freed from their traditional settings. Allyn's illustrations are vibrant in color, with characters of many ethnicities, along with animals and the plate and spoon. Yet the lively images cover up the lack of tension or story arc; this book is more recognition game than story. Over 14 characters are found in the rhyming verses, with the possibility that not all will be recognized. Two favorites, the Three Blind Mice and the Gingerbread Man, appear in illustration only. The traditional rhymes appear at the end of the book, providing the sources for lesser known characters. Readers who are knowledgeable enough to recognize all the players are likely to want an actual storyline. (Picture book. 3-7)

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October 1, 2015

PreS-K-This is a clever picture book filled with fun references to traditional nursery rhymes. Mother Goose, master storyteller, is the hostess of this party. "They gathered in the reading nook/with Mother Goose's famous book./She read of those who sat beside her, /Dish and Spoon and Muffet's spider./She read of those who were not there, /like Simple Simon at the fair./She read of ships and seas they roam./She read until Peep's sheep came home." A big plus is the inclusion of the traditional characters' rhymes at the back of the book. The multicultural coed cast created with digital artwork gives the figures a modern look and feel. The bright, realistic, and colorful illustrations, which frequently span across a spread, capture the business and grandeur of the party itself. Children will be eager to attend this magical slumber party. VERDICT Nursery rhymes lovers will enjoy this witty adaptation.-Gwen Collier, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY

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