Grumbles from the Town: Mother-Goose Voices with a Twist [Hardcover]

Poets Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich take fourteen Mother-Goose rhymes that have been enjoyed by generations of children and twist them in ways sure to delight modern kids. These poem pairs feature wildly different voices and perspectives, and Angela Matteson's stunning illustrations add further hilarious details. So while Humpty Dumpty's classmate explains why he's sitting in time-out again, Matteson's art shows Humpty Dumpty as a daredevil skateboarder teetering on a wall. The poems have strong rhythm and rhyme, makingGrumbles from the Towna terrific read-aloud. This lavish volume includes the original Mother Goose rhymes, endnotes that briefly describe their history, and an introduction that invites readers to imagine their own poems from unusual perspectives and create magic. This quirky Mother Goose book turns convention on its head. Each of the 14 selections contemporizes a traditional rhyme and pairs it with a rebuttal or an aside by a grumpy protagonist... inventive.' —Kirkus Reviews

'Creative... broad-ranging... spins on Mother Goose nursery rhymes... Whimsical, cartoonish acrylic-and-pencil illustrations incorporate playful details and decorative page embellishments, blending classic scenarios and contemporary settings and elements. A playful addition to any poetry section. —Booklist

The imaginative poems can tickle the funny bone... an excellent choice for writing workshops and classroom prompts. —School Library JournalJane Yolenhas received numerous awards for her writing, including the Golden Kite Award, two Christopher Medals, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota, and the Regina Medal for her body of work. She lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts, and St. Andrews, Scotland. janeyolen.com

Rebecca Kai Dotlichis the author of many poetry and picture books, includingLemonade Sun;One Day, The End. ; andThe Knowing Book. She gives presentations anlCY