Book Cover
Book Summary
The Queen's tarts are missing and Mother Goose has been called to solve the mystery. Mother Goose questions many familiar nursery rhyme characters in an effort to discover who stole the tarts. Each character swears innocence and gives Mother Goose a lead to the next character.
APA Reference of Book
Gosling, G. (2004). The top secret files of Mother Goose!. Milwaulkee, WI: Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Impressions
This is a really cute book and a great introduction to mysteries. Each page showcases an interview with a new suspect and includes a small notebook page with additional background information about the character. The mystery itself ties into the Mother Goose rhymes and, of course, the first suspect to be questioned is the Knave of Hearts who is the thief in the nursery rhyme. The interviews with each of the subsequent characters are short, consisting of only a couple of questions, and often offer only the suspect's word that they did not steal the tarts before they point the finger at some else. I had solved the mystery before Mother Goose left the castle to begin her search, but then I have years of mystery reading and observation skills behind me.
Professional Review
"When the Queen of Hearts discovers her strawberry tarts missing, she calls in Mother Goose, "Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime." The clues include a trail of crumbs, a dish and a spoon, and a hankie with the initials HM. As Mother Goose questions each suspect, a full-page illustration of that individual appears opposite the text, which is printed on a manila-folder background. A handwritten note with humorous details about that particular character appears to be paper clipped to the file. Readers may question the detective's technique as she chases down alleged perpetrators who do not have the correct initials. However, logic aside, the comical rewording of familiar facts will appeal to those who are conversant with nursery rhymes. The vibrant cartoons pop off the pages, and the witty details will have youngsters studying the pictures with interest. Serving as a foil for the boisterous cast of characters, Mother Goose appears almost too charming and sweet to be pitted against this wild and wacky lineup of possible criminals, but that only adds to the comedy. With its retro artwork and imitation of hard-boiled detective speech, this text-heavy mystery is more appropriate for older children, but the story and its solution may be a bit too simplistic to hold their attention. Fans of Jon Scieszka's humor seem the most likely audience for this book's campy art and puns."
Edwards, L. (2004). [Review of The top secret files of Mother Goose! by Gabby Gosling]. School Library Journal, 50(5), 112. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/
Library Uses
This book would work well as part of a nursery rhyme based program. The book is better suited to older children and would be a good way to keep them interested in such a program.
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