Sing a Song of Mother Goose

Gregory Bryan is a member of the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

Barbara Reid is a sublime talent and her unique plasticine illustrations have long been a much-loved highlight of the world of literature for children. In her new board book for young children, Sing a Song of Mother Goose, Reid again demonstrates her unique ability to make plasticine work for her. Her detailed, colourful, and humorous illustrations perfectly complement this selection of well-known nursery rhymes. Sing a Song of Mother Goose contains fourteen nursery rhymes, including works such as “Jack and Jill,” “Mary Had A Little Lamb,” “Rock-a-bye Baby,” and “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

As seems always to be the case with Reid’s work, the level of detail she provides in her illustrations is a delight. Furthermore, the texture of her illustrations lends realism to the artwork that is both unexpected and profoundly impressive. As an example of the attention to detail, the wall Humpty Dumpty falls from is not merely a brick wall. Rather, it is a brick wall from which the plaster façade is cracked and chipped. Likewise with the texture of the illustrations—the texture of the individual blades of grass covering the hill down which Jack falls bring to mind the real life lush green hillocks I occasionally tumbled down as a child.

The sturdy board book format and large print help to make this an ideal book for young children. Parents will also derive considerable enjoyment from sharing these attractively presented nursery rhymes as bedtime read alouds.

Highly Recommended