With all the attention and honors this book has received, I expected more from it. While the subject matter is valid and the illustrations are delightful, I was disappointed by the forced feeling (irregular rhythms, strong rhymes sporadically spaced) that prevailed throughout it. It was almost as though Merriam was trying too hard to be flamboyant-- nearing overbearance despite all her southern-sounding charm.

This book has become an old family friend! I wouldn't characterize it as a bedtime book, because the children quickly memorize these silly poems and "read" along with you, bouncing in rhythm. The book created wonderful family memories; last week my former toddler picked it up from the shelf and read it to me, and we both started giggling again - it's rollicking good fun.

This book is so very funny!!! The poems are extremely catchy and adorably cute... this is a must have for all parents with toddlers... the illustrations are not fabulous but are cute enough... My only problem, is these are not sleep motivating!!! They are most definitely JUMP ON THE BED poems!!!

When I worked for a day care center, this was one of my favorites to read to the toddlers. It was one of the children's favorites as well. They loved to repeat the rhythmic lines (and Bam! Bam! Bam! is easy for even a beginning talker to repeat). This book does a lot to engage young children visually as well with its bold and bright pictures, containing some of the most interesting illustrations in children's books. If you can find it, I also recommend the audio cassette for this book. Children will naturally follow the beats and rhythm of the song - like narration.

A good focus on the family/fathers. Ethinic diversity.

This is (in my opinion), one of the greatest collections of poems. It rates right up there with Where The Sidewalk Ends.

Higgle Wiggle: Happy Rhymes contains 25 cute poems written for young children. These playful poems are mainly written about animals, food, and feelings. The words are vivid and cater to preschool children. Onomatopeia is also utilized in many of the poems. The watercolor illustrations are done in a fun, whimsical manner.

Eve Merriam's text is cozy and warm in this lullaby book. Adult readers will remember that the world looks different when you have the height of a child. Children will enjoy Paparone's brightly colored illustrations that make the world a happy place to look at. Nothing exciting happens except for the wonder of seeing the world and celebrating its many sights. This is a great read for a quiet time or bedtime when a peaceful, soothing text is wanted. However, some of the images and words may require explaining, especially the appearance of a milkman.

Maybe the thing about this books that offends me the most is that all the pictures are depicted as African Americans. I notice in the review that they said the book is geared toward young adults. I have the book in hand and it distinctly says 'An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division'. Even so, I myself find this book to be inappropriate for young minds. I personally feel that it has no place in a public library where it will be accessible to influence our youth's minds. I also don't believe that the reviews would be quite so good if all the pictures in the book were of Caucasian men. However I do realize that this is only my opinion and Carolyn Phelan is as always entitled to her opinion. I just believe as an African American parent that we as a race should block this book from our youths.
Yes the Mother Goose tales are a little gruesome, but come on now..there's a big difference between cutting off a mouse's tail and just for fun...plunge the knife and cut and run. Do we really want young impressionable minds reading this kind of (for use of a better word) crap?. Some of the poems are in keeping with the Mother Goose theme, but too many are way over the top with the violence. Take it from me, you do not want your child reading this book. It is banned in my household.

I first heard Eve Merriam's "The Inner City Mother Goose" in 1971, when it was part of the Oral Interpretation performed by Richard Quezada that won the New Mexico State Speech contest. Rick had a wonderful deep voice, the sort that radio DJs would die for, and he made these poems really come alive. Today people get all excited by politically correct fairy tales, but for our generation it was Merriam turning nursery rhymes on their head to reflect the realities of the urban ghetto that were a sign of the times. These are not parodies, but telling satires that take beloved nursery rhymes as their point of departure. Most of the time her starting points are perfectly clear, as with "Simple Simon, "Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick," and "If." Besides, not all of her reference points are nursery rhymes, because you will also see the echoes of Christmas carols (e.g., "Twelve Rooftops Leaping"). Other poems simply are in the general style of children's rhymes, albeit with more serious intent (but then remember, "Ring Around the Rosie" was about the Black Death).

The language of some of these poems was shocking back in 1969, but, of course, today these words would not cause a ripple on a rap album. However, what is important is that here we are decades later and do any of us doubt that the world of which this poems speak still exists? This volume contains the text of the 1982 expanded edition, with a new introduction by poet Nikki Giovanni, and ten full-color paintings by David Diaz. Final Note: You know, the "real" Mother Goose (Elizabeth Vergoose) is buried in Boston's Old Granary Burial Ground, along with the victims of the Boston Massacre, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. Given her final resting place is amongst the patriots of the American Revolution, no, I do not believe she is spinning in her grave over Merriam's poems.

I enjoyed and recommend this book because Merriam writes from the point of veiw of a person living in the situation, not of one looking down on it. She portrayed things the way they were then, and sadly, the way they are now.

This book was not for a young child to read. Do not recommend at all.

As a big fan of Lane Smith's work, I was instantly attracted to this book. A collector of Halloween picture books, I knew that this book would be a frightfully, wonderful addtion to my collection. The illustrations of this book set the right eerie tone for Halloween. Eve Merriam's poems are wonderfully sinister! I am a 6th grade teacher and will definitely read some of the poems to my class during Halloween week, however I would not recommend this book for young children. The tone of the book is not just scary but sinister, the letter D for instance should never be read aloud to students. It speaks of the demonic characters Beezlebub and Satan. The illustration is wonderful but the words are not appropriate for students. The other letters are not as evil but still conjure up creepy thoughts about Halloween. This is a wonderful addition to a Halloween collection that will be kept on my personal shelf for me to read aloud.

Poet, Eve Merriam, and award winning illustrator, Lane Smith are back with a new "spooked-up" addition of their 1987 stunner, Halloween ABC. Step carefully through this alphabetical collection, if you dare, and read each bone chilling poem. From apples, bats, demons, and ghosts, to nightmares, skeletons, vipers, and witchery, Ms Merriam's rhythmic, rhyming poems are filled with macabre imagery and dark magic that are sure to set your knees knocking, and make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Mr Smith's brilliantly detailed, dark and somber artwork, has been digitally redesigned by Molly Leach, and kids will be mesmerized with each page turn. Perfect for Halloween, or any other terror-packed, moonless night, Spooky ABC is a timeless masterpiece to read aloud and share with friends and family now, and future generations in the years to come.

Be careful! The graphic details of horrible acts and images of demons may not be something that you would want your 4 -8 year old to conjure up when they think of their ABCs.

I don't usually write reviews but after seeing the opinion of the reader from SC who negatively reviewed Eve Merriam's work, I felt a need to express my own opinion. Merriam is a thought provoking and controversial poet. Her work, although in picture book format is intended for older readers. The illustrations are incredible and enrich the text beautifully. Fans of Lane Smith will enjoy this earlier work. Again, 1 star is an unfair judgement. Amazon should not list this book for readers 4-8 but then again, caregivers should always make their own informed decisions. I don't know about "getting deep down in your spirit" but the subject matter is definitely for older readers and highly entertaining. I hope some of you will take the time out to get to know this amazing poet. Always controversial!

(...) There is just something of a mismatch between format and audience: The fact that this is in an ABC format makes it seem suited at first glance to ABC-age children.

The compact poetry of Eve Merriam and sophisticated illustrations of Lane Smith (done before he was famous) make this a great book for older children who enjoy a slightly gruesome edge to their humor --think the movie Beetlejuice, for example.

Lend a copy to the ten-year-old in your life.

This eclectic collection of poetry is written in a range of styles as wide and free as the topics themselves. Some poems are cleverly written, and the illustrations are oodles of fun, but the rhythm of the poetry is sometimes sporadic, and some of the words are pure nonsense, with a tendancy to wax annoying at times.