Bibliographic Data:
Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry From Everywhere. Ill. by Sue Truesdell. New York: Harper Trophy/HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0064462145
Plot Summary:
In this compilation of folk songs, rhymes, and poems, Schwartz covers everything from people and their relationships to trees, animals, and insects, with everything in between – nonsense and all. Over 250 entries cover both familiar and unfamiliar verses, with an index of first lines included at the end of the book. The inclusion of familiar tunes and sheet music scores for poems and rhymes add to the fun of singing and rhyming with the verses. Additionally, the majority of the entries have comical illustrations alongside them, highlighting the humorous nature of the rhymes and poems included in the book. Schwartz includes additional reference material in the book, providing notes on folk rhymes, folk poetry, nursery rhymes, and parodies, as well as source notes about the poems he has included in this book.
Critical Analysis:
This anthology of folk poetry represents a wide range of rhymes and songs that span generations. Many of the songs and rhymes such as “Liar, liar, pants on fire…” (p. 34) or “Do your ears hang low….” (p. 6) would be familiar to many children today, reinforcing the value of this anthology as a means for getting children involved with language and poetry. The anthology also has appeal for older readers, possibly even adults, as the entries include a variety of songs and rhymes from many decades and traditions.
The grouping of the entries into categories such as people, food, school, teases and taunts, love and marriage, work, stories, riddles, and fun and games helps magnify the variety of selections in the anthology, as well as they variety of age groups to which this book might appeal.
Schwartz does a good job providing background information on the selections included in this text, as he provides relevant background on many parts of the text including nursery rhymes, nonsense, counting rhymes, and jumping rope rhymes. Schwartz supplements this background information with additional source information, helping the reader understand more about the folk poetry included in this anthology and possible variations of the same entries.
Truesdell’s illustrations are simple, yet comical. Penned in black and white, the illustrations bring the characters and events to life, underscoring the humorous situations that are presented in the folk poems. The illustrations provide a greater depth to the poems, adding to the storytelling quality of each entry in the text.
Review excerpts:
Kirkus Reviews – “…a grand compilation of familiar … rhymes and chants from the children’s own tradition…”
School Library Journal – “a marvelous book…[with a] silly, energized tone….[and illustrations] in ideal tandem with the poetry…”
Starred review from The Horn Book – “Move over your copies of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky…strongly recommended.”
An American Library Association (ALA) Notable Children’s Book of 1993
A National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Notable Trade Book in the Language Arts in 1993
A 1992 Book for Youth Editors’ Choice for Booklist
Personal Reaction:
This book was a joy to read and play around with as it reminded me of my days on the playground singing chants and rhymes with my friends. I could envision taking students of all ages through a mental journey as we explored the rhymes, poems, and riddles in this book. What a treat to be able to enjoy these staples of childhood with future generations!
Connections:
Activities
· Put the songs, chants, and rhymes to music with the musical scores provided in the book.
· Add hand claps and other physical movements to the poems, chants, songs, and rhymes in the book as you share them with friends.
· Create additional verses to your favorite rhymes.
· Interview people of other generations about their memories of childhood songs, poems, and rhymes. How many of their responses are included in the book? Which ones were their favorites from childhood?
Related Readings
If You’re Happy and You Know It: Eighteen Story Songs Set to Pictures by Nicki Weiss
I Saw You in the Bathtub and Other Folk Rhymes by Alvin Schwartz
From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs edited by Amy Cohn
Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? by Bonnie Lass and Philemon Sturges
She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain by Philemon Sturges
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback
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