The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose!
By: Gabby Gosling
Bibliography: Gosling, G. (2004). The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens, Inc.
Summary:
In The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose, the Queen of Hearts has had her strawberry tarts stolen and it has made her quite cranky. To find the perpetrator of the especially heinous crime the King and Queen call in the Chief Detective of Nursurey Rhyme Crime Mother Goose. Mother Goose investigates all of the chief suspects including the Knave of Hearts, Little Miss Muffet, and the Big Bad Wolf. But it will take all of Mother Goose's intellect and rhyming ability to discover the true chararacter behind this crime.
Impressions:
I picked this book off of our reading list without knowing a thing about it. I liked the title and that was about it. So I was really surprised when I went to pick up the book from the library and it turned out that I had chosen a picture book mystery. I had never really thought about pictures books fitting into genres like horror, mystery, or fantasy before this module. Anyway I was immediately drawn into this Mother Goose book. The illustrations are beautiful and the rhyming isn't overly cutesy, like what is so often found in children's books, but actually furthers and enhances the storytelling. It might not hold the attention of very young readers since the art is stylized and there is quite a bit of text on the pages, but older readers as well as adults should find the book amusing at least. I also liked how the author took fairytale characters that have been around forever and that readers are most likely intimately familiear with and turned them on their heads. Like how Little Miss Muffet didn't just sit on her tuffet, but was really doing yoga, and how the chef from the song "Patty Cake" was actually the baker of the Queen of Hearts favorite tarts. I would definitely recommend this book to readers.
Review:
School Library Journal
K-Gr 4-- 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.
Library Setting:
I have always wanted to do a detective program at a library. I could fill up an entire display of books devoted to mysteries like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, Box Car children, The Great Mouse Detective, etc. I think that this book would work so well in a display or program setting. It could also be used in a storytime session that dealt with rhyming and narratives. Younger children could be encouraged to play with words to make them rhyme. Pairing the book with something like Dr. Seuss would work well since both nursury rhyme characters and Dr. Seuss' characters are well known to many children.
Review Reference:
Edwards, L. (2004). The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose! (Book). School Library Journal, 50(5), 112.
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