Roses in December: A Treasury of Children's Verse

Teya Rosenberg is an assistant professor of English specializing in
children’s literature at Southwest Texas State University.

In this collection, editor Sandra Cooze records the verses and
corresponding actions for games she remembers from her childhood in
rural Newfoundland. There are ring verses (“Ring, a ring o’ rosy”;
“Little Sally Saucer”), line verses (“Red Rover”), verses for
skipping, verse games to play with babies, riddles, and nonsense verses.
A number of the verses clearly refer to Newfoundland, while others are
less place-specific. Written descriptions and instructions accompany
most of the selections.

Rose in December is a fun collection. The cheerful drawings by Joanne
Snook help illustrate many of the actions accompanying the verses. The
rather scholarly introduction and some of the instructions may put a few
readers off, but teachers or parents looking for entertainment beyond
the television will find this book a handy resource.

The collection is also a significant record of customs and sayings
from mid–20th-century Newfoundland and may have appeal for folklorists
and historians of children’s culture. Recommended.