Hey Diddle Diddle

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

These attractively designed board-book versions of familiar nursery
rhymes are excellent choices with which to introduce Mother Goose to
very young children. Small and light, they are a perfect fit for tiny
hands.

Author/illustrator Heather Collins depicts the characters as stuffed
animals: Jack and Jill are cuddly pigs, and the cake-makers in
Pat-a-Cake are a red hen (reminiscent of a different tale) and a tiny,
but obviously enthusiastic, bunny. Her illustrations cleverly include
unusual details that provide the reader with background information. For
example, have you ever questioned why Jack and Jill needed water?
According to this illustrator, it was to water a bear’s garden.
Similarly, we are left with no doubt about the fate of Miss Muffet’s
curds and whey, as we observe the spider making short work of his
unexpected feast.

Toddlers and parents will happily share these charming, colourful books
again and again. All of the books are recommended.