Mother Goose of Pudding Lane by Chris Raschka, Vladimir Radunsky
Published by Candlewick Press on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0763675237
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Is this a collection of Mother Goose rhymes? Is it a biography of Mother Goose? Is it entertaining? Yes, yes and yes! Raschka has outlined a brief biography of Elizabeth Foster who married Isaac Goose in 1692. Their large family needed stories, rhymes and lullabies for entertainment and instruction, which Elizabeth made up as the children grew. 

Each colorful double page spread begins with a short rhyme. Strung together,Raschka’s original rhymes tell the story of their life from marriage until they “at last grew old and gray.” He then placed on each page traditional Mother Goose rhymes that reflect that aspect of the family’s life. On the “Elizabeth Goose – the family goose – did counsel and advise” page, the reader finds “For early to bed and early to rise is the way to be healthy and wealthy and wise.”

Vladimer Radunsky’s illustrations depict 17th century dress. Animals, objects and people are spaced around the page. Some images are painted, some are simple pencil or charcoal sketches.

If you need something unique for Mother Goose, this book deserves a place in your collection.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town