The True Story of Humpty Dumpty: Read and Share

by Sarah Hayes

Friendly advice for reading fun included in every book!

READ AND SHARE is a unique first library for parents and children that helps build early readers’ confidence. Grouped in four progressive levels, Read and Share books - available individually for the first time - are specially selected for qualities that encourage literacy skills and a love of reading.

Sixteen top-quality books with notes for extending reading fun inspire the confidence parents and children need to experience the joys of reading . . . together. Plus an informative Parents’ Handbook!

What is Read and Share?

—An expert selection of sixteen high-quality picture books by superb authors and illustrators, featuring a multicultural array of subjects, including poetry and rhymes, traditional songs, stories, and information books

—Four progressive levels - Beginnings, Early Steps, Next Steps, and Taking Off - each including four fabulous picture books

—Two full spreads inside each book offering suggestions and activities inspired by the story, designed to help parents and children get the most out of each book - and build a foundation for reading success

—A separate 24-page, full-color Parents’ Handbook providing extensive practical information and detailed answers to many of the questions parents ask about encouraging their children’s literacy

Genres: Fairy Tales

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is its title. The illustrations are cute but it is a sad complicated story . I love children's books and used to sell them. This bad egg is sorta a bully.

[Zoe Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rhyming and a extension to the nursery rhyme

[Lamar Daniel]

Humpty dumpty is one of my favorite books because of its rhyming

[Monty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Humpty Dumpty story, but not as we know it. Humpty Dumpty is a mean-spirited egg who sits on the wall and dares his friends to stand on the wall. Of course, they then fall off and hurt themselves and he laughs! Eventually, he boasts that he can stand on the wall - but he falls off. His friends - the king and the horses - are initially cross with Humpty, but then put him together again and he finally sees the error of his ways.

It is written in a lyrical rhyming style which is perfect for very young children, and they loved joining in with the actions. The repeated sections such as "he wobbled and wobbled and then he fell off..." are great for kinaesthetic learners and making it really active engages even the most reluctant children.


I used this book for a carpet session in my nursery class. It linked in well with additional provision as part of a nursery rhymes topic - the children made Humpty Dumpties out of card to stick on a wall for display (EA & D), and re-arranged magnetic pictures on a board while retelling the story (C & L). I also linked it to PSED, and it formed a nice basis for a discussion with the children about how it is nice to be kind to each other and help our friends.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was good but definitely a difference from the original story. This book could be used to teach kids how to compare and contrast. I also read this book while working at the child care center this weekend and the kids seemed to enjoy it. It definitely has rhyming aspects to it and the illustrations are interesting. I enjoyed this book a lot and would definitely love to have it in my future classroom. I love the front cover of the book. The colors are very welcoming and definitely draws you closer to it.

[Katelyn Warner · Rating 2 out of 5]

* Predictable text
* Different take on the original story (compare/contrast texts)
* I didn't care for the ending, but some children liked it.
* Good for paired reading activities

[Alycia Boyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A twist on the story of Humpty Dumpty. A great book for rhyming.