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19th out of 23 books
—
9 voters
The Inner City Mother Goose
Poems inspired by traditional nursery rhymes depict the grim reality of inner city life, including such topics as crime, drug abuse, unemployment, and inadequate housing.
Hardcover, 80 pages
Published
May 1st 1996
by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
(first published May 1st 1969)
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Nov 19, 2012
Callie
added it
Grade/interest level: Middle/High school (grades 6-12)
Reading level: 5.5+
Genre: Poetry
Main Characters: Various
Setting: Various
POV: Various
Summary:
This is a collection of 65 poems that are parodies of original nursery rhymes. The versions presented in this book focus on urban issues such as crime, violence, inadequate housing, unemployment and drug abuse, among many others. The poems are powerful on their own, but even more so when paired with the illustrations.
The illustrations are bright, eye...more
Reading level: 5.5+
Genre: Poetry
Main Characters: Various
Setting: Various
POV: Various
Summary:
This is a collection of 65 poems that are parodies of original nursery rhymes. The versions presented in this book focus on urban issues such as crime, violence, inadequate housing, unemployment and drug abuse, among many others. The poems are powerful on their own, but even more so when paired with the illustrations.
The illustrations are bright, eye...more
“The Inner City Mother Goose” is a set of poems that are adapted from traditional nursery rhymes to depict the realities of inner-city life. For example, there are poems called “Sing a Song of Subways” (inspired by “Sing a Song of Sixpence”) and “Twelve Rooftops Leaping” (based on “The Twelve Days of Christmas). The book consists of 65 short poems accompanied by a variety of photographs.
One of the most striking things about the poems was the sharp contrast between the childish, simple rhyme stru...more
One of the most striking things about the poems was the sharp contrast between the childish, simple rhyme stru...more
This was definitely an enlightening read for me. It brings up many of our society's dysfunctional attributes, such as violence, racism, poverty, abuse, etc. What is sad, I realized, is that I wouldn't be comfortable reading this to 8 year olds, even though the reason this was written is because this is every day life for hundreds of 8 year olds, even in the United States.
Sounds: like the original Mother Goose, all these poems are written with a distinct rhythm, almost like a song. They are all...more
Sounds: like the original Mother Goose, all these poems are written with a distinct rhythm, almost like a song. They are all...more
Feb 17, 2012
Needleroozer
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
critics of American society
Shelves:
poetry
I had forgotten about this book until today when I was looking for another Mother Goose book and this one came up. I think I picked up a copy of this at a Friends of the Library book sale and donated it to the Solidarity library. I have no idea where it is now.
I liked this book a lot. The writing is smart and funny and edgy.
I liked this book a lot. The writing is smart and funny and edgy.
Although not traditionally what we consider a graphic novel, I think it is an excellent example of using words and pictures to express mature topics. David Diaz's bold illustrations in acrylic are a perfect union with the thought-provoking verses.
My father read these dark and depressing nursery rhymes to me when I was a small child. It fucked me sideways and twisted me hopeless. I'm am eternally grateful. I'll always consider Eve Merriam my godmother, whether she wants me or not.
I know an English teacher who got fired for giving this book to a student back in the '70s. A pretty enlightening look at reality in the inner city.
2/24/11 1.5 a little too grim and abruptly grewsome for me.
More than 40 years old, and so little has changed. Beautifully done, but sad. The introduction to the 1996 edition by Nikki Giovanni is sublime.
Must read-1
Meaningful-1
Meaningful-1
Apr 09, 2013
Anna
marked it as to-read
Mar 19, 2013
Jarvis Buchanan
marked it as to-read
Mar 01, 2013
Mike Meshek
marked it as to-read
Jan 20, 2013
Emilie
marked it as to-read
Oct 24, 2012
Cheryl in CC NV
marked it as incompletely-investigated
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