Hunter Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 The Christian Mother Goose Book of Nursery Rhymeshttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0448425114/ref=as_sl_pd_tf_lc?tag=homeschooltre-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0448425114&adid=0Q93NS8FRQH3CF9JTNF9&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hstreasures.com%2Farticles%2Ffairytales.html What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I think it's kind of dumb. I have been noticing that an awful lot of indoctrination is squeezed into materials where there is no need for it. Science books, math books, history books, writing curriculum, now nursery rhymes? Can't anything just be what it is? I hope this isn't offensive. I'm not just referring to Christian materials specifically, but political and other viewpoints as well. It feels strange, manipulative, controlling, and fearful to have these unnecessary messages tucked away in places they don't need to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I think the Humpty rhyme is kind of creepy. Being smashed to bits isn't a good thing. The other examples given?*shrug* Not my thing, obviously, but if that's what people fancy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I don't like it. It isn't necessary, and it's not really Mother Goose. Also, it never said Humpty was an egg. Just a side note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 There's an eggy guy on the front cover. Who is that going to be if not Humpty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 There's an eggy guy on the front cover. Who is that going to be if not Humpty? The nursery rhyme never said he was an egg. Everyone just assumes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bree Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 My kids actually really like it. I am not a big fan of nursery rhymes either way, but I think it is cute when my 9 year old reads it to my 4 year old. It definitely has a strong slant biblically, but I don't recall anything offensive, just not a regular mother goose book :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 This concept has been around for eons; I was given a '60s era copy when my dc were small, and I've stumbled across vintage versions. I think they are always horrible for three reasons: 1. Poor Quality -- the poetry is abysmal and the pictures are dreadfully somber 2. Forced Christianese -- restating everything with culturally current Christianese lingo is a bad habit; shouldn't be modeled for children 3. Snobbery -- can anyone truly make the case that the original (well, you know) Mother Goose rhymes were not Christian? No. Some are Not Nice, but they ALL come from eras and civilizations that are overwhelmingly Christian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 I really don't have an opinion on this book. But Humpty Dumpty disturbed me. I read Humpty Dumpty to a friend who said, "Stop reading right THERE!" I just wanted to hear what others thought. I have no agenda to push. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrindam Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I change a lot of Nursery Rhymes and kids songs to make them more loving for DD...I don't see anything wrong with this, but I don't think I need to buy it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I have never seen a book like that before. It seems a bit strange... If one feels Mother Goose isn't a good fit for one's children, why not just read lullabies or hymns or poetry. You'd get the same flow and cadence and the content would be so much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowergirl159 Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I have this version and we love it too! When my children were babies and toddlers, we refused to read the real mother goose. So this book is what we used instead :) We were/are really happy with it. A lot less 'creepier' than the original mother goose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I think Mother Goose rhymes are important parts of Western Culture. Something is lost when kids don't get the references in literature because of non-exposure. Of course, having googled "allusions to nursery rhymes in literature" I can't get any examples! I do see them in political cartoons, though, oddly enough. So while the parodies might be fun or interesting, I do think kids need the real thing, even if it's later. Same with bible stories (and there's a ton of literature with allusions to biblical stories, of course). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I think Mother Goose rhymes are important parts of Western Culture. Something is lost when kids don't get the references in literature because of non-exposure. Of course, having googled "allusions to nursery rhymes in literature" I can't get any examples! I do see them in political cartoons, though, oddly enough. So while the parodies might be fun or interesting, I do think kids need the real thing, even if it's later. Same with bible stories (and there's a ton of literature with allusions to biblical stories, of course). I was thinking after I posted, the bible is FULL of stories. Good ones! Why not just read those, and leave Mother Goose alone? Why change it into something it's not? Same with the gentle retellings. Not all rhymes are dark and scary. If your child is too sensitive for the creepy ones stick to the lighter ones, or put them off till later. But teach them corrupted versions. Same with fairy tales and classics. My parents bought us abridged classics, I think by mistake. Little Women ended before Beth was ill. I felt so cheated when I found out I missed half the book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowergirl159 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Just to clarify, we used the Christian Mother Goose when my children were babies and toddlers. Now that they are older, they know many and are hearing others from the original mother goose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 That thing has been around a LONG time. I was given a copy of it almost 20 years ago at a baby shower gift when I was pregnant with my first baby. As a lover of literature, I disliked it because I prefer the older more original translations of such things. In all their gory details! I think I gave it away. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Seriously, why does EVERYTHING have to come in Christian versions? I don't actually feel strongly against Christian math curricula or Christian fairy tales. Whatever floats your boat, is fine by me. But I am genuinely curious as to WHY? As Mr. Ham says "There's this Book..." and it's chock-full of really good Christian stories and information... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfknitter.# Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I think it's awfully contrived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 The Christian Mother Goose Book of Nursery Rhymes http://www.amazon.com/dp/0448425114/ref=as_sl_pd_tf_lc?tag=homeschooltre-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0448425114&adid=0Q93NS8FRQH3CF9JTNF9&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hstreasures.com%2Farticles%2Ffairytales.html What do you think? We've got it. Some are really cool. Others are hokey. WE don't read it anymore. If you are interested I'll send it to you (though. Ours has a different cover. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 We've got it. Some are really cool. Others are hokey. WE don't read it anymore. If you are interested I'll send it to you (though. Ours has a different cover. ) Thanks for the offer, but no thanks! :) My gut reacts negatively to this book. That doesn't mean I think my reaction is correct or that the book it wrong. I just know that it makes me uncomfortable, so I'm exploring that emotion a bit without judgement. Thank you all for your responses. I just needed to sit amongst others reacting to the book. Maybe that's weird, but…when I have a strong reaction, I don't like doing it alone. I just want company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I find it cheesy and dare I say twaddle. ;) I do not see what is unchristian about the original Mother Goose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Seems pretty silly to me. Why change something that has historical and cultural value into something contrived? It seems to lose all it's original meaning - certainly this example does: Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall. Humpty Dumpty had a big fall. Humpty Dumpty shouted, "Ahem! God can put me together again." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.