And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone
By Alvin Schwartz
Illustrations by Sue Truesdell

Bibliography

Schwartz, A. (1992). And the green grass grew all around: Folk poetry from everyone. New York: HarperCollins Pub.

Plot Summary

Take a walk down memory lane with And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone.  Riddles, rhymes and poems from folk poets are divided into fifteen chapters including “People,” “Teases and Taunts,” “Nonsense,” and “A Tree.”  There are also extensive and very interesting notes, detailed sources, and a bibliography that provide plenty of further exploration in the folk poetry genre.

Critical Analysis

Kids love funny poems and this is an undeniably appealing collection of folk poetry that children will enjoy whether it is read aloud to them or they peruse it alone.  Adults will find plenty to chuckle over, reminisce about, and share as they read as well.  The title says that the poems are from “everyone,” but as I look at the pictures and read the poems handed down by oral tradition, remembering many of the poems from my own childhood, it feels like Americana to me.

The black and white illustrations add to the reading experience, sometimes adding details to the story-type poems, always adding extra whimsy.  Truesdell’s style remains consistent, consistently good!  As you look at the pictures, you may find yourself recalling favorite easy readers illustrated by Truesdell, such as the Golly sisters books.

Review Excerpts

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1992): “It's hard to imagine a child who wouldn't greet this treasure trove with enthusiasm.”

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, 1992): “filled with well-known rhymes as well as new discoveries”


Sheree Van Vreede (Children's Literature):  “Perhaps the best collection of folk rhymes I have seen…”

Hazel Rochman (Booklist, May 1, 1992 (Vol. 88, No. 17)): “...a joyful legacy…”

Connections

*Other traditional folklore and folk tale collections to enjoy by Alvin Schwartz

A Twister of Twists, a Tangler of Tongues; Tongue Twisters

Tomfoolery:  Trickery and Foolery with Words

Whoppers:  Tall Tales and Other Lies

Kickle Snifters and Other Fearsome Critters

Chin Music:  Tall Talk and Other Talk


*For the librarian:
This is a great book for parents to read to their children!  We spent several evenings having laughs with this book, especially the “Teases and Taunts” chapter.  It provides the parent an opportunity to share stories from their childhood and perhaps will open doors to wonderful conversations with the child.