Traditional Folktale Review-AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND

1. Bibliography

Schwarz, Alvin. 1999. And The Green Grass Grew All Around. Ill. by Sue Truesdell. New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN 0064462145.

2. Plot Summary

And The Green Grass Grew All Around is a compilation of children's rhymes, songs, and sayings that were created on the playground, in tree houses, and anywhere else children gather. Children's natural instinct to rhyme generates a wealth of fun and silly poetry of sorts that Alvin Schwartz has gathered together in this book. The book is divided into chapters with different themes such as "Food" or "School". The poems and songs range from completely nonsensical to wise observations on human nature ("Often we are foolish, when it's hot we want it coolish, when it's cool we want it hot, always wanting what is not.") Rhymes cover songs, riddles, jump rope cadences, and hand clapping games.

3. Critical Analysis

This book has so much to offer all ages! There are scores that go along with the rhymes that are traditionally sung so that the reader may sing along. There are notes on certain rhymes that highlight interesting facts about it or its origin. In fact, there is a more detailed section in the back of the book for notes, sources, and a bibliography. Alvin Schwartz has also included an introduction entitled "Skinny bone, skinny bone", sharing the origin of his interest in the subject of childhood playground rhymes. What makes this book an instant classic, however is Sue Truesdell's drawings and characters that perfectly capture the humor, mischief, and playfulness of the compilation. The black and white sketches accompany almost every rhyme and express the action in humorous detail. This book is certain to be a favorite with kids. Kids often feel like they fly below the radar of adults. To have some of the language of their world not only acknowledged by the adult world but praised is a welcome and exciting infiltration!

4. Review Excerpts

School Library Journal-"It's hard to imagine illustrations better suited to the book's silly, energized tone than Truesdell's big-eyed, animated, and humorous characters. Given plenty of white space, they tumble, goof, and guffaw across the pages, in ideal tandem with the poetry. These drawings may be in black and white, but readers will never pick up a more colorful book."

Kirkus Review-"It's hard to imagine a child who wouldn't greet this treasure trove with enthusiasm."

5. Connections

I had the pleasure of reading this book to both my two year old and my nine year old. My toddler son enjoyed the silly rhymes and rhythms but the book held special meaning for my daughter. Her eyes lit up to hear rhymes that she and her friends say at school, never before realizing that other people knew them. It was very validating to her. She was just as interested in the background notes as I was. We had so much fun talking about the rhymes that I remembered from my childhood and she was very pleased to discover that there were many rhymes that she knew and I did not. We also discussed variations of rhymes that we had learned a little differently such as "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite." We were both familiar with the ending that was not written, "but if they do, get a shoe, and beat them til they're black and blue." With older children, this can open up discussions that they personally relate to and feel that they can contribute to.

Other compilations of playground rhymes are:

Sierra, Judy. Schoolyard Rhymes: Kids Own Rhymes for Rope Skipping, Hand Clapping, Ball Bouncing and Just Plain Fun. ISBN 9780375825163.

Cole, Joanna. Miss Mary Mack: And Other Children's Street Rhymes. ISBN 9780688097493.

Cole, Joanna. Anna Banana: 101 Jump-Rope Rhymes. ISBN 9780688088095.

And for slightly more daring and "mature" audiences:

Hart, Anita F. Potty Mouth: Profane Poetry, Recess Rhymes, and Other Ditties From the Playground. ISBN 0762432551.

Other books illustrated by Sue Truesdell:

Karim, Roberta. This is a Hospital, Not a Zoo! ISBN 9780618246229.

Joosse, Barbara. A Wild Willie Mystery series.

George, Jean Craighead. How to Talk to your Dog. ISBN 9780060270933.

Strauss, Linda Leopold. A Fairy Named Hilary. ISBN 9780439175197.

Winthrop, Elizabeth. Halloween Hats. ISBN 9780805063868.

Little, Jean. Hey World, Here I Am! ISBN 9780064403849.