Higgledy Piggledy Hobbledy Hoy

Butler, Dorothy

ISBN 10: 0688086616 ISBN 13: 9780688086619

Publisher: Greenwillow, 1991

Synopsis

On the way to a picnic, a little girl and a little boy make up nasty rhymes about each other.

About this title

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-- A muddled story of little consequence. A boy and a girl march through the woods, he with a drum and she with drum majorette hat and baton. A nonsensical rhyme precedes a contrasting statement: "Higgledy piggledy hobbledy hoy, A good little girl and a bad little boy." What follows makes little more sense: "Jiggery pokery rackety poo, It's good little me and it's bad little you." Nor do the innocuous illustrations enlighten readers as to what to make of this; they don't inform as to why either child is good or bad, or fast or slow. Neither their facial expressions or body language, nor the text present any answers. And one must wonder about the assortment of animals trailing behind them; although they all play musical instruments, the children are oblivious to them. There's no sense in purchasing this nonsense. --Trev Jones, School Library Journal
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

As a boy and girl lead a parade of instrument-toting animals, she recites a singsong rhyme: "Higgledy piggledy hobbledy hoy, / A good little girl and a bad little boy." After listening to two more verses that reinforce her message, the disgruntled boy comes to a screeching halt--causing the animals to pile on top of one another--and declares it his turn now. Of course his version of the rhyme features a bad little girl and good little boy. Now the girl protests, but the sensible animals end the squabbling with a reminder: "Stop! What about the picnic?" The dispute is forgotten as a bountiful repast is shared by all. The verse's repetition and tongue-twisting nonsensical words will especially appeal to preschoolers; equally fetching are Kriegler's playful, pastel illustrations. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwillow
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0688086616
• ISBN 13: 9780688086619
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 30
• Illustrator: Kriegler Lyn