Ii think that I have a few books by Iona Opie and she is a specialist in children's literature. Just checked and I have the Oxford Nursery Rhyme book edited by her. So she has a good pedigree for writing this book. Having moved around the world a bit when my kids were being exposed to nursery rhymes I appreciate how there are subtle differences between American and English versions of the rhymes ....but these all seem to be the classics that I recall and were the versions on all the kid's recordings (on cassettes) that we had for the children. ...Though I'm just looking at "Hey diddle diddle" and I realise that my dad used to recite it as "the little dog laughed to see such sport" ....whereas Opie has it "to see such fun".
Ah that wonderful classic...."To market to market to buy a fat pig".....Rosemary Wells has the fat hog riding home in the back seat of a luxury sports tourer. And whilst on the subject of Rosemary Well's illustrations....they are just brilliant. As Iona Opie says: "Her illustrations reflect Mother Goose's many moods: lumpish, her animals look wickedly askance at the world; happy, they almost dance off the page; cosily at home, there is no greater depth of contentment. They make me shout with glee". Yeh....I think that just about captures it. They are great illustrations...nearly all done with animal characters. I love them too. She's done a great job and Opie has selected the best of the rhymes. Happy to give it 5 stars. ( )

This anniversary edition of My Very First Mother Goose for the very young child is enchanting. Though it differs from my image of Mother Goose books with different styles of illustrations, the use of a variety of little critters is charming.

The book is sturdy and should withstand the rough handling that wee little hands can give a book turning pages and fingering the pictures.

Some of the pages of illustrations are more appealing to me than others but all have a distinct charm. I particularly liked "Puffer-billies all in a row," "Little Boy Blue," "The Cow Jumped Over the Moon," "Pat A Cake," "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Bless the bed that I lie on.," and "The Brave Duke of York, he had ten thousand men..."

Some of the rhymes are cut short in deference to the intended age of the audience. My Very First Mother Goose brings the beloved rhyming charm to the very young with lots of cute images to capture their attention and imagination.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate a review of my honest opinions which are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided by and directly to the winner. ( )

I recognized the illustrators drawings as the same person who illustrated the show Ruby and Max! It was fun to make that connection. I think that this is a great book for preschool/kindergarten teachers to use to get young kids exposed to poetry.

In this book children can explore different rhymes and have fun reading along as they go through each nursery rhyme. Teachers can also use this book to introduce poetry to younger readers and writers as a mentor text.

A great book filled with classic rhymes and beautiful illustrations. I have read these nursery rhymes as a mother and I now love to use them with my Kindergarteners and First Graders.