Genre 2: Folk Literature Collections

Bibliography

Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry From Everyone. Ill. by Sue Truesdell. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0060227575

Plot Summary

And the Green Grass Grew All Around:Folk Poetry From Everyone is a book of folk literature collections from many different people, from many walks of life. It includes selections of poetic songs, rhymes and riddles. There are 15 selections that will remain apart of the reader's memory for a time to come. These selections can also make any classroom become alive with enthusiasm and will definitely have children eager to sing "what's next?"

Critical Analysis

The language used by Schwartz is understandable, cheerful, and comical. Readers and listeners can easily follow along with the flowing storylines of poetry. To read the lines, "When God gave out noses, I thought he said "roses," So I asked for a big red one. When He handed out legs, I thought he said "kegs," So I asked for two big round ones." To see the picture along with this rhyming riddle will surely get a laugh. The sure to come rhymes in this book helps us to "celebrate the vitality and originality of everyday language."

When one thinks of picture books, they usually think about colorful, sometimes elaborate illustrations. But in this book, the illustrator, Sue Truesdell, gives us wonderful pictures in black and white. The pictures aren't colorful in hues but they are colorful in expression. The people, animals, and objects displayed often give humorous expressions, which helps to add even more delight to the message. The collections of funny pictures and lines like on page 101, which said "Stella, Stella, dressed in black, Sat down on a carpet tack, Jumped right up and hollered, "Hell!" How many times did Stella yell? 1, 2, 3...," is apart of a book that is a true classic. It is a classic because the more than 200 enjoyable poems included will be read and reread by many for years to come.

*Since this book is a collection of folk poetry, I have chosen one selection out of the book to briefly review: Riddles

Plot Summary

Riddles is the tenth installation in the book, And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry From Everyone. It includes 15 cleverly worded folk rhymes that require the reader to "think on your feet." This cliche lives up to it's saying because the riddles aren't very easy to solve. Furthermore, these riddles have been shared from many sources and varied in content.

Critical Analysis

The riddles are fun and truly get the reader involved. Some of the riddles are short, like "many eyes, never cries," some are long like the fourteenth one. Some of the rhyming riddles are simple, yet thought provoking. Once we read them and reread them to try and get the answer without peeking, we finally realize that, "In the beginning I seem mysterious, But in the end I am nothing serious." The answer is simply: a "riddle"!

There were quirky illustrations to go along with the riddles. They didn't offer many clues, but they added to the humor of the riddles. The illustrations were simple and appropriate. Take for instance the picture and lines on page 8: "Jerry Hall Is so small, A mouse could eat him Hat and all." The picture of small Jerry suspended in the air by the big mouse was very fitting.

Review Excerpts

Notable Childrens Books of 1993 (ALA)

Children's Books of 1992 (Library of Congress)

Starred review in Horn Book Magazine: "Full of vigorous, swinging rhythms and funny...sentiments, the pages are filled with well known rhymes as well as new discoveries."

Starred review in School Library Journal: "A marvelous book that is sure to become a classic if children have any say in the matter."

Connections

This is a wonderful book of folk rhymes that allows people to relate to one another because noone is excluded from these amusing rhymes.

*Gather other books illustrated by Sue Truesdell:

Addie's Bad Day. ISBN 0064441830

How to Talk to Your Dog. ISBN 0060270934

*Another book written by Alvin Schwartz that can be enjoyed is:

Busy Buzzing Bumblebees and Other Tongue Twisters. ISBN 0060252693

*Another book with black and white illustrations by Alvin Schwartz:

Gold and Silver, Silver and Gold: Tales of Hidden Treasure. ISBN 0374326908