Harrison Herz

{My Thoughts} – Forget everything you know about the classic nursery rhymes and then read this book. This book puts a spin on the classic rhymes replacing characters with monsters and mythical creatures. I enjoyed reading it because it was slightly on the entertaining side and it flowed freely. The pictures within the pages match the words of the book perfectly.

The one thing I didn’t like is how close the rhymes were to the original ones. When I was reading it, it had become apparent that the rhymes had slight variations from the originals and I know that often happens in retellings. I only wish that the author had diverted more from the original rhymes and wrote more his own words and thoughts on the pages. I do realize that he had received help writing it from his children and they did well with their imput, but like I said I wish it would have been slightly more different then what it had been.

Aside from that, the book was wonderful. I think that children will easily enjoy it and that it could possibly become a bedtime favorite for many.… (altro)

Now THIS is the nursery rhyme book Fantasy fans and players of role games have been WAITING for. Each page is a full color spread of fantasy illustrations that could have come straight from a Tolkien movie or D&D card deck. They're dark and creepy, earthy and base in their hungers (we're talking trolls eating elves, nothing more), all while playing with the rhymes we already know and love. The end result? Some come out just as sweet and some...a bit sinister.

Take the first, 'Hefty Jack Horner'....needless to say, a play off of 'Little Jack Horner' and recited to the very same tune. Let's just say, what he pulls out of his pie is NOT a plum, nor a very happy moment for those that helped MAKE it. *gulp* Then there's 'Eensy Weensy Brownie'...sang to the tune of 'Eensy Weensy Spider'. I mean really, if his mischievous grin wasn't enough to give away his mission, the outcome of the rhyme surely does...and with flair! Hey, it's not everyone that can match 'palisade' with 'dissuade' and make it work! On the sinister side of things would be 'Manticore, Manticore'...read to the tune of 'Pussycat, Pussycat'. Umm, well the pictures are scary enough by themselves but the ease at which he recounts his activities while in Persia leads me to believe someone else didn't enjoy the visit quite so much.

All in all, there is much fun to be had within these pages and I do believe it will find a home on shelves with little ones as well as those Fantasy fans that simply couldn't help themselves.


**ecopy received for review… (altro)

Everyone has heard of Mother Goose's nursery rhymes, but have you ever heard of Monster Goose? This book takes familiar stories and adds some fun new twists. Where else can you read the tale of This Little Hydra, and much more menacing substitute for This Little Piggy? With beautiful illustrations, this book will entertain in a whole new way.

I love to have a retelling of a story everyone is familiar with, so this book was right up my alley. So many nursery rhymes became so much more interesting and fun through these new versions. If the old versions were ever not quite dangerous enough for you, then these stories will probably be just right. I loved the illustrations as well. They managed to be beautiful while still portraying the mood of the stories. However, they also did an amazing job of not being too scary. Just creepy enough. This is a fun and beautiful book that will be sure to get you thinking past the usual nursery rhymes into a whole new world.

Book provided for review.… (altro)