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The Land of Stories #Companion
The Mother Goose Diaries
In this companion book to the Land of Stories series from New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer, Mother Goose is finally allowing her favorite readers to take a gander into all her secrets from her centuries of adventure.
Who else gossiped with Queen Elizabeth I, taught geography to Napoleon, marched for equal rights with Martin Luther King Jr. and served as Andy Warhol's muse?
This journey through time with a beloved character from the Land of Stories series will be perfect for new and old fans alike.
Originally published in a boxed set with over 82,000 copies sold, this is now sold individually for the first time.
Who else gossiped with Queen Elizabeth I, taught geography to Napoleon, marched for equal rights with Martin Luther King Jr. and served as Andy Warhol's muse?
This journey through time with a beloved character from the Land of Stories series will be perfect for new and old fans alike.
Originally published in a boxed set with over 82,000 copies sold, this is now sold individually for the first time.
122 pages, Hardcover
First published November 24, 2015
229 people are currently reading
5362 people want to read
About the author
Chris Colfer
59 books11.1k followersChris Colfer is an Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actor best-known for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel on the FOX television series "Glee".
He is also a New York Times bestselling author whose books include the first three novels in the "Land of Stories" series ("The Wishing Spell", "The Enchantress Returns" and "A Grimm Warning") as well as "Struck By Lightning: The Carson Philips Journal" which is a novelization based on the script he wrote for the film "Struck By Lighting" (Colfer also co-produced and starred in that movie).
He is also a New York Times bestselling author whose books include the first three novels in the "Land of Stories" series ("The Wishing Spell", "The Enchantress Returns" and "A Grimm Warning") as well as "Struck By Lightning: The Carson Philips Journal" which is a novelization based on the script he wrote for the film "Struck By Lighting" (Colfer also co-produced and starred in that movie).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
April 5, 2024
➳ 4.5 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
the diaries of mother goose? chris it’s like you read my book wishlist! this was amazing and I love mother goose so so much it’s not healthy ✨✨
₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚
➳ reread 12 • 31 • 23 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
this was just as good the second time around!! this book is so funny and i love mother goose sm 🫶
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
the diaries of mother goose? chris it’s like you read my book wishlist! this was amazing and I love mother goose so so much it’s not healthy ✨✨
₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚
➳ reread 12 • 31 • 23 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
this was just as good the second time around!! this book is so funny and i love mother goose sm 🫶
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
December 10, 2015
This isn't horrible or anything, but I'm a little uncomfortable with some of the…approach to history.
Also the major plot hole doesn't help.
Also the major plot hole doesn't help.
January 7, 2017
My 9 year old has read the first 3 books in this series and really enjoyed them so we bought this one too. I don't think this is a very good book for kids. There were multiple chapters that I had to explain because she didn't understand certain historical references or didn't know the characters.
My biggest issue is with the last chapter, which is about her protesting with the LGBT community for equal marriage rights. I'm glad I read ahead and did not read that chapter to my daughter. I literally cut the chapter out with scissors. I feel that was inappropriate for a children's book.
My biggest issue is with the last chapter, which is about her protesting with the LGBT community for equal marriage rights. I'm glad I read ahead and did not read that chapter to my daughter. I literally cut the chapter out with scissors. I feel that was inappropriate for a children's book.
November 18, 2017
What was this like what!!! This was so humorous and amazing I love mother goose!! This story reminds me of my own parents and grandparents of their adventures. I’m glad I picked up this book 5/5 stars 🌟
February 16, 2020
I loved reading a book in Mother Goose's perspective, because she is one of my favorite LOS characters. Toward the end, though, especially in the LGBTQ part, I felt like Colfer is trying to impose his political beliefs on children using the influence of a lovable character. Regardless of what side I stand on in political issues, I don't think they are appropriate for children, and it is not what I signed up for when I picked up the book.
April 29, 2017
This one wasn't nearly as fun as Red's book. :/ odd as she is, I've never really cared for Mother goose. I think she's supposed to be funny. Mostly I find her obnoxious.
There is no way she could NOT have know about slavery until the civil rights movement if she'd been coming to the other world since the black plague.
Also, even if the book said try not to worry about historical accuracy, I still found it rather insulting to suggest that people didn't know about taverns until the 1300s. -_- really?
There's having fun with history & spitting in it's face. This is the latter.
Also, while im on the subject, there was an awful lot of talk of drinking and partying & even drug use! Granted it was "pixie dust" but still. As a middle grade book, I don't think this is very appropriate subject matter. :/
Plus, the illustrations weren't nearly as good as those in the main series of the ones in Red's guide to royalty.
&... Honestly, the bit at the end was kind of preachy. Don't get me wrong, im glad it was there. It was an important moment in history & this is the age to start explaining lgbt+ to kids. But it just came off as super pushy. :/ the metaphor of red & froggy's relationship "scandal" was a much more fun & smart & slightly less in your face way to share the author's message.
Overall? I wasnt impressed with this book. It didn't seem totally age appropriate, what with the partying. The pictures were bad. & it got super preachy at the end. But there were a few funny bits in there & the "in conclusion" bit at the very end of the book actual had some good advice.
So, it was saved from 1 star, but it's still definitely my least favorite book if the series.
I would recommend it major fans of the series who really want to read everything "the land of stories" has to offer. But I would suggest that patents read the book first to decide if they think it's right for their children.
There is no way she could NOT have know about slavery until the civil rights movement if she'd been coming to the other world since the black plague.
Also, even if the book said try not to worry about historical accuracy, I still found it rather insulting to suggest that people didn't know about taverns until the 1300s. -_- really?
There's having fun with history & spitting in it's face. This is the latter.
Also, while im on the subject, there was an awful lot of talk of drinking and partying & even drug use! Granted it was "pixie dust" but still. As a middle grade book, I don't think this is very appropriate subject matter. :/
Plus, the illustrations weren't nearly as good as those in the main series of the ones in Red's guide to royalty.
&... Honestly, the bit at the end was kind of preachy. Don't get me wrong, im glad it was there. It was an important moment in history & this is the age to start explaining lgbt+ to kids. But it just came off as super pushy. :/ the metaphor of red & froggy's relationship "scandal" was a much more fun & smart & slightly less in your face way to share the author's message.
Overall? I wasnt impressed with this book. It didn't seem totally age appropriate, what with the partying. The pictures were bad. & it got super preachy at the end. But there were a few funny bits in there & the "in conclusion" bit at the very end of the book actual had some good advice.
So, it was saved from 1 star, but it's still definitely my least favorite book if the series.
I would recommend it major fans of the series who really want to read everything "the land of stories" has to offer. But I would suggest that patents read the book first to decide if they think it's right for their children.
September 12, 2019
Chris Colfer? Really? This is not the best writing of yours at all.
July 26, 2017
These Land of Stories books are geared more towards kids and I would not let my children read this book. For one thing, Mother Goose talks several times about drinking and even mentions a hangover. Ummm....what? Fairy tales, people! Then the last chapter talks about Mother Goose rallying with the LGBT community. Again, what? My kids wouldn't even know what that meant, nor would I be prepared to explain that to them at their young ages. Very disappointing.
March 4, 2020
This book is very funny and has lots of funny adventures and is a GREAT add-on book to the Land of Stories series I highly recommend this book!
July 30, 2020
Love, love, love!
This definitely turned out to be much better than I thought it would be. While I haven't read The Land of Stories series (still trying to find the books at more affordable prices), I have read Chris Colfer's YA books and I knew I would somehow enjoy his other books. I just didn't know how much.
The Mother Goose Diaries basically is like an autobiography of a character from The Land of Stories series. So we began from Mother Goose's 13th birthday, a little background of who she was and how she met the goose and became known as Mother Goose. All that was entertaining, and I thought it was going to be the something similar throughout, but boy, was I wrong!
Things started to pick up a notch when Mother Goose began her trips to the Otherworld, which is the world as we humans know it. It was a mission imposed on her to spread joy and tell fairy tales to us humans. And Colfer actually weaved in bits of real history in Mother Goose's experience. I mean, what a fun way to get children to be interested in history!
I especially love the two messages Colfer presented in the book:
"People shouldn't have to fight people just to be people, " when Mother Goose participated in the march for civil rights with Martin Luther King.
"All we can do is live every day like we want to be remembered, and hope it'll benefit the greater good."
I thought Chris Colfer couldn't have impressed me more, but again, he proved me wrong.
This definitely turned out to be much better than I thought it would be. While I haven't read The Land of Stories series (still trying to find the books at more affordable prices), I have read Chris Colfer's YA books and I knew I would somehow enjoy his other books. I just didn't know how much.
The Mother Goose Diaries basically is like an autobiography of a character from The Land of Stories series. So we began from Mother Goose's 13th birthday, a little background of who she was and how she met the goose and became known as Mother Goose. All that was entertaining, and I thought it was going to be the something similar throughout, but boy, was I wrong!
Things started to pick up a notch when Mother Goose began her trips to the Otherworld, which is the world as we humans know it. It was a mission imposed on her to spread joy and tell fairy tales to us humans. And Colfer actually weaved in bits of real history in Mother Goose's experience. I mean, what a fun way to get children to be interested in history!
I especially love the two messages Colfer presented in the book:
"People shouldn't have to fight people just to be people, " when Mother Goose participated in the march for civil rights with Martin Luther King.
"All we can do is live every day like we want to be remembered, and hope it'll benefit the greater good."
I thought Chris Colfer couldn't have impressed me more, but again, he proved me wrong.
February 14, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! Chris Colfer did a GREAT job with adding lots of important people in history, as well as the time period. When I read it, I was laughing and it didn’t feel like I was reading a history book! The last chapter was a disappointment that the added what he added, but it was a time in history and was only mentioned in two pages out of the whole book. Mother Goose also drinks a lot, but it is part of her character. This book may be a bit confusing/not the best for younger kids, but for an older audience this is a fun book to read! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2020
Me encanto, esta muy entretenido e interesante. Este se trató de como era el mundo durante los 20’s, 30’s, hasta llegar al 2015. Prácticamente el libro empieza en la edad de oro (del cuento) y cada vez se acerca al presente. Lo cual está padrísimo, porque puedes ver cómo va creciendo “Mother Goose”. Y además aprendes sobre la historia de Washington, Inglaterra, Italia, España, entre otros.
October 11, 2024
I don't think this is Chris Colfers best book. It's cute and the concept is nice. Just not really my thing. Maybe if I had read this earlier after reading the Land of Stories it would have been fun. I can defenitly see that it would be fun for young kids.
September 25, 2016
En slags bisarr leksjon i verdenshistorie sett gjennom øynene til en eventyrskikkelse, og resultatet er hysterisk morsomt!
Colfers framstilling av Mother Goose får større spillerom her, men dessverre utnytter han det ikke så mye som jeg hadde håpet. Men det ER morsomt å lese om alle hendelsene i verdenshistorien Mother Goose har vært en del av (min favoritt må være møtet med daVinci).
En annen stor fornøyelig del av boken, er den smidige måten Colfer lurer inn sine personlige politiske budskap gjennom disse fortellingene. Her snakkes det om kvinners kamp for stemmerett, raseproblematikk, og sist, men ikke minst, LGBT-rettigheter. Med tanke på at dette hovedsakelig er en bok myntet på den yngre garde, håndterer Colfer disse temaene meget delikat, og vever det elegant inn i en fornøyelig og morsom historie.
Artig tilskudd til "The Land of Stories"-serien dette. Kunne godt vært litt lengre.
Colfers framstilling av Mother Goose får større spillerom her, men dessverre utnytter han det ikke så mye som jeg hadde håpet. Men det ER morsomt å lese om alle hendelsene i verdenshistorien Mother Goose har vært en del av (min favoritt må være møtet med daVinci).
En annen stor fornøyelig del av boken, er den smidige måten Colfer lurer inn sine personlige politiske budskap gjennom disse fortellingene. Her snakkes det om kvinners kamp for stemmerett, raseproblematikk, og sist, men ikke minst, LGBT-rettigheter. Med tanke på at dette hovedsakelig er en bok myntet på den yngre garde, håndterer Colfer disse temaene meget delikat, og vever det elegant inn i en fornøyelig og morsom historie.
Artig tilskudd til "The Land of Stories"-serien dette. Kunne godt vært litt lengre.
March 6, 2017
It's our opinion..that's all.
We got the audio book out of the library. Fairy tales redone are fun. It started out sort of cute....but we actually put the wrong disc in to start...and as we're listening I have to think about explaining to my kids what the LGBT community is? Because Mother Goose is rallying with them? No thanks, this isn't for us. We didn't finish it...
I'm just putting this out here for folks who are thinking they might want to pop this in for your 7-13 year old...you may want to get the book (instead of the audio) and read ahead a bit if there are things that aren't really on your list of things you want to read about...or have your kids accidentally listening to on their own.
We got the audio book out of the library. Fairy tales redone are fun. It started out sort of cute....but we actually put the wrong disc in to start...and as we're listening I have to think about explaining to my kids what the LGBT community is? Because Mother Goose is rallying with them? No thanks, this isn't for us. We didn't finish it...
I'm just putting this out here for folks who are thinking they might want to pop this in for your 7-13 year old...you may want to get the book (instead of the audio) and read ahead a bit if there are things that aren't really on your list of things you want to read about...or have your kids accidentally listening to on their own.
February 25, 2018
A humorous adventure through history. Mother Goose has delighted children for years with her rhyming stories (she only rhymes when she is drunk), but now we get another view of her influence on history. She helped out plague victims, inspired Joan of Arc and Leonardi da Vinci, influenced Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte, fought Nazis and fought with ninjas, marched for women's rights, civil rights, and LGBT rights. She inspired so many people througout history, including Andy Warhol, and did it while having a blast. This easy read was enjoyable and light-hearted. Colfer continues to make music with words.
October 23, 2018
Cute book and a little funny. However not meant for children's since they have mature content like the LBGT rally mentioned in the book. Now if your intent is to introduce or broch the subject about LBGT with your kiddos then this would be a great book for it!
August 8, 2017
Actual rating 2.75 stars
One of the biggest issues is that Colfer tried to fit too much in very few pages. It came across as more of a name-dropping book than the diary/memoir of a woman who has helped spread fairy tales throughout the world for hundreds of years.
One of the biggest issues is that Colfer tried to fit too much in very few pages. It came across as more of a name-dropping book than the diary/memoir of a woman who has helped spread fairy tales throughout the world for hundreds of years.
June 20, 2022
Well the only problem I have was the Joan of Arc part it's like Chris was insulting the saints that Joan heard and Amelia Earhart was just vacationing on some island away from the paparazzi. Hello! She and her co- pilot were declared missing!
April 30, 2018
this book was good although I would say other books are better than it but I would still rate it a five star book. People who like historical fiction would be crazy about this book. Historical fiction lover, I recommend this to you!
October 2, 2017
My favorite character in the Land of Story saga:) We would be close friends! She cracks me up and I laugh out loud😂
December 13, 2018
Never got past the forward. Didn't like the attitude of the author. Bit full of himself, or what?
October 28, 2020
The first time I read this book was quite a while ago, and I couldn't even finish it. There was lots of mentions of death and disease and it was too dark for my little kid mind to handle. Eventually I picked it up again and quite enjoyed it. It was fun seeing a favorite character, even if she wasn't as good in this book, going on her adventures, though there wasn't much about the fairytales or Grimm brothers at all.
Now, rereading it again, I can say that it was fine... but the approach to history made me a little uncomfortable. There were comments about Mother Goose joining a group of Japanese ninjas and other similar topics that just... didn't feel right, I suppose?
I think a younger child wouldn't care or notice those things, but I also think that a younger child should only read this if the parents are okay with the content. (Descriptions of death and disease, mentions of crime, gambling, debt, drinking, drugs, and hangovers.)
Now, rereading it again, I can say that it was fine... but the approach to history made me a little uncomfortable. There were comments about Mother Goose joining a group of Japanese ninjas and other similar topics that just... didn't feel right, I suppose?
I think a younger child wouldn't care or notice those things, but I also think that a younger child should only read this if the parents are okay with the content. (Descriptions of death and disease, mentions of crime, gambling, debt, drinking, drugs, and hangovers.)
July 16, 2021
*Maybe a 3.5/5 stars?
This was delightful. Mother Goose is one of my favourite characters in “The Land of Stories” universe, and I can’t believe it took me this long to actually read this companion book!
I will say that the approach to historical events such as slavery and the civil rights movement was… a lil questionable. As well, Mother Goose’s adventures were very Eurocentric and white. I think the story could have benefitted from exploring more parts of the world with different kinds of people.
But overall, as a quick, fun read intended for younger audiences, I really loved this. I think it’s a fun concept, and Mother Goose is truly a treasure in this series.
This was delightful. Mother Goose is one of my favourite characters in “The Land of Stories” universe, and I can’t believe it took me this long to actually read this companion book!
I will say that the approach to historical events such as slavery and the civil rights movement was… a lil questionable. As well, Mother Goose’s adventures were very Eurocentric and white. I think the story could have benefitted from exploring more parts of the world with different kinds of people.
But overall, as a quick, fun read intended for younger audiences, I really loved this. I think it’s a fun concept, and Mother Goose is truly a treasure in this series.
January 4, 2022
Volver a esas historias que tanto amamos, es un mimo al corazón. Y este libro es justamente eso. Reencontrarse con un personaje icónico de la saga de La Tierra de Las Historias, escrita por Chris Colfer. Ideal para los fantásticos de la saga y para comenzar con un nivel de inglés estándar.
El libro es el mismísimo diario de Mother Goose, un personaje amado por la mayoría de los seguidores. Si algo es evidente, es que en toda la saga se nombran las peripecias de este personaje y las locuras que hizo en su vida pasada. Y por más que se nombran, es tan solo eso… nada más que eso. Momentos en los que ella dice “y yo hice…” y causa intriga. En este diario, ella misma cuenta sus aventuras en el mundo de los cuentos de hadas y en el mundo real. Y su escritura es cómica, ágil y fácil de llevar. Además tiene el plus de tener imágenes que simulan ser fotografías de determinados momentos. Es muy divertido ingresar a la cabeza de Mother Goose, es en verdad muy cómica.
Mis objeciones con el libro son dos. Lo siento demasiado corto para lo que me esperaba y hay cosas que no concuerdan con la historia original (en especial con un cuento de magia).
Pero quitando eso, no deja de ser un libro que vale la pena leer si eres un verdadero fan de la saga.
El libro es el mismísimo diario de Mother Goose, un personaje amado por la mayoría de los seguidores. Si algo es evidente, es que en toda la saga se nombran las peripecias de este personaje y las locuras que hizo en su vida pasada. Y por más que se nombran, es tan solo eso… nada más que eso. Momentos en los que ella dice “y yo hice…” y causa intriga. En este diario, ella misma cuenta sus aventuras en el mundo de los cuentos de hadas y en el mundo real. Y su escritura es cómica, ágil y fácil de llevar. Además tiene el plus de tener imágenes que simulan ser fotografías de determinados momentos. Es muy divertido ingresar a la cabeza de Mother Goose, es en verdad muy cómica.
Mis objeciones con el libro son dos. Lo siento demasiado corto para lo que me esperaba y hay cosas que no concuerdan con la historia original (en especial con un cuento de magia).
Pero quitando eso, no deja de ser un libro que vale la pena leer si eres un verdadero fan de la saga.
March 4, 2020
Sejujurnya bingung kasih rating buku ini.
Overall aku lebih suka cerita tentang mother goose ini daripada cerita narsisnya Queen Red Riding Hood 😂
Tapiiii bab terakhir di buku ini langsung bikin aku ilfil...karna membahas tentang LGBT coba 😥
Bukan karna aku menentang atau gimana..
Tapi ini kan buku anak2, gak sepantasnya topik itu dimasukkan di salah satu chapter cerita Mother Goose ini...
Semacam salah tempat gitu jadinya 😑
Overall aku lebih suka cerita tentang mother goose ini daripada cerita narsisnya Queen Red Riding Hood 😂
Tapiiii bab terakhir di buku ini langsung bikin aku ilfil...karna membahas tentang LGBT coba 😥
Bukan karna aku menentang atau gimana..
Tapi ini kan buku anak2, gak sepantasnya topik itu dimasukkan di salah satu chapter cerita Mother Goose ini...
Semacam salah tempat gitu jadinya 😑
January 20, 2022
This book is about Mother Goose and all of her adventures throughout history. It is really funny because she talks about knowing a lot of historical figures like they are just normal people. She even says that the Mona Lisa is painted of her! This book is really entertaining and funny, I would recommend this book to anyone!
May 26, 2017
this is super hilarious read. I love the "innocent" old lady style. It's even better than the Red Riding Hood that I read earlier
March 17, 2021
I liked this book. Personally it was a little boring at points but other wise it was good. This book talked a lot about history. If you like history and want to read a short book you should definitely read this.
October 13, 2025
Ugh a cutie cheeky little read. I absolutely love mother goose and I needed this easy read to reset my reading slump. Thank you Chris Colfer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews