Mother Goose of Pudding Lane by Chris Raschka - OPTIONAL

Mother Goose of Pudding Lane by Chris Raschka, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2019. $18. 9780763675233.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Mother Goose rhymes are re-packaged here in a strangely illustrated book that also suggests there could have been a real Mother Goose who lived in America in the 17th century. Random bits about Elizabeth Goose are interspersed with longer Mother Goose rhymes--some obscure, some well known.

I did not like this book. I was confused from the get-go about what I was reading. Are they telling the story of Elizabeth Goose? If so, poorly done--not even a historical note at the back. Are they creating a modern book of Mother Goose rhymes? If so, poorly done--rhymes aren't even labeled clearly so you know what you're getting. Are they generally hoping to confuse their poor readers? If so, well played! I'm labeling this optional because I do think the world still needs Mother Goose rhymes, but if you can find another book of Mother Goose awesomeness, I'd go with that.

Reviewer: TC