AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND: FOLK POETRY FROM EVERYONE

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND: FOLK POETRY FROM EVERYONE. Ill by. Sue Truesdell. Harper Collins. ISDN 0060227575

PLOT SUMMARY
AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND is a compilation of children’s folk poetry by the late author Alvin Schwartz. The poetry is organized in themed chapters covering People, Food, School, Teases and Taunts, Wishes and Warnings, Love and Marriage, Work, Stories, Nonsense, Riddles, Fun and Games, Rain and Shine, A Tree, Animals and Insects, and Other Things. A few child favorites are On top of Spaghetti, Miss Lucy had a baby and Cinderella dressed in yella. The folk poetry contains many silly solutions to everyday situations and problems.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
These stories and poems are favorites of many children. The origination of these many poems is unknown, yet can change as they are told from one person to another. Each storyteller can alter the poem to be representative of their own culture. This book compiles the many songs and poems which we hear as a child. It is a treasure to have them all in one place. Sue Truesdell illustrates multicultural drawings which are full of life and give each poem a connection to the reader. They are able to sense that they have become part of the story. The drawings also add a bit of energized whimsy to the stories and poems.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “The universal rhymes that kids all over the world seem to learn from each other”
Reviewed in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Once the kids discover it, it will always be checked out.”
Reviewed in KIRKUS: “It’s hard to imagine a child who wouldn’t greet this treasure trove with enthusiasm.”
Notable Children’s Book of 1993, 1993 Fanfare Honor List: HORN BOOK, Children’s Choices for 1993.

CONNECTIONS
*This story is an excellent source for presenting poetry to children. Children will quickly recognize one of the previous poems or stories that they have heard before.
*Other folklore books by Alvin Schwartz:
Schwartz, Alvin. BUSY BUZZING BUMBLEBEES AND OTHER TONGUE TWISTERS. ISBN: 0060252685Schwartz, Alvin. GHOSTS!: GHOSTLY TALES FROM FOLKLORE. ISBN: 0060217960