Spinster Goose, Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children by Lisa Wheeler is one of the nominated books in the CYBILS Poetry category.
Where do you send children who are too naughty for Mother Goose? Why she sends them to her sister Spinster Goose! Biters, pinchers, and those who eat chalk can all be found here. Spinster Goose has her ways to get the naughties to behave.
The first poem is an introduction from Mother Goose about her sister’s:
There are many naughty children
far beyond my expertise.
I tried my best to help
but the problems would not cease.
So…
I sent them to my sister.
Her school is well designed
to deal with uncouth urchins
who have manners unrefined.
Take a tour and please be sure
to follow every rule.
Remember…disobedience
will land you in her school.
The remaining poems feature beloved Mother Goose characters such as Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, Little Jack Horner, and others in a twisted way. As a hair twirler when I was in elementary school, I liked this one:
The Hair Twirler
There was a little girl
who liked to twist and twirl
every single curl in her head
When she was good, she was very, very,good
But when she was bad, she was bald.
With “Mary, Mary quite contrary ” as “the interrupter”, Old Mother Hubbard as “The Custodian”, and Peter, Peter the Pumpkin Eater as a cheater, readers will be engaged in these rhymes. It’s a good choice to use in a classroom to discuss manners.
Sophie Blackwell’s illustrations add great lines depicting the children and other characters so naughty. She compliments the satirical tone of the poems.
Title: Spinster Goose, Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children
Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Sophie Blackwell
Published: 2011
Pages: 41
Reading Level: K-3
Publisher: Atheneum
ISBN: 978-1-4169-2541-5
Source: From the local library
Poetry Friday is hosted by Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference. I have an original poem at Deowriter in response to the Poetry Stretch at The Miss Rumphius Effect.
Happy Reading
MsMac
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