BEHIND THE KING'S KITCHEN; A Roster of Rhyming Riddles, compiled by . and Carol Ra. Woodcuts by Jacques Hnizdovsky

Illustrated with woodcuts, this collection of rhyming riddles--from centuries-old pieces to modern riddles--includes work by such figures as J.R.R. Tolkien, Donald Justice, and May Swenson. By the author of Laughing Time: Collected Nonsense.

Grade 5 Up-- A collection of over 150 rhyming riddles drawn from sources dating back to the fourth-century, through Anglo-Saxon times to the present day. The slant is heavily British, with many references that will be unfamiliar to American children. Some of the subject headings, such as ``Fire and Water, Earth and Air'' are abstract. Others, which relate to a house, garden, the body, animals, and insects, are more accessible and rewarding. Handsome, meticulously composed woodcuts in black and white add a distinguished look. Of interest more to the adult folklorist or anthologist than to a general readership seeking easy-to-solve riddles, this is a challenging and intriguing collection. It would lend itself well to creative writing and poetry workshops, or classes for the gifted. --Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

An attractive presentation of traditional and other riddles, chosen as much for their poetic quality as for their humor or the challenge of the puzzles; the thematic grouping would tend to suggest solutions even if the answers weren't given. What isn't provided is accessible sourcing; though a list of works like the Opies' volumes is appended, readers must guess, for example, what era described a watch as ``Beloved by men of degree.'' Only entries from known authors are specifically attributed; these include elegant literary translations from Symphosius (fourth century) by Richard Wilbur, nice oddments from Tolkien, Swenson, and Rossetti, and several--mostly doggerel--from the editors. Hnizdovsky's lovely, spare woodcuts, on most spreads, contribute to the handsome format but have little child appeal. Overall: pleasing but not essential. (Nonfiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.