The Real Dada Mother Goose: A Treasury of Complete Nonsense
N/A Series
on Goodreads (340)
What’s inside...
Inspired by Dadaism's rejection of reason, Jon Scieszka and illustrator Julia Rothman team up to subvert classic nursery rhymes in every clever way possible. From 'Humpty Dumpty' to 'Mother Hubbard', cherished rhymes are refashioned into comics strips, anagrams, and mash-ups, unraveling and restitching their fabric in absurd ways. This anthology of thirty-six 'old-new' rhymes invites children to revel in reimagining and playful reconstruction. Featuring robust back matter, this irreverent take on childhood rhymes is a great gift for young readers and a rich classroom resource.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was the silliest rhyme you read, and why did it make you laugh?
How do you think the characters felt in the stories? Can you make up a story where they feel differently?
If you could be any character in this book, who would you be and what silly adventure would you go on?
What do you think the author wanted us to learn from these nonsensical rhymes?
Can you think of a funny rhyme of your own? What two words would you like to rhyme together?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts on the rhymes by asking them to create their own silly versions of traditional nursery rhymes.
Discuss the emotions of various characters in the rhymes and relate them to real-life scenarios to deepen emotional understanding.
Use exaggerated expressions and funny voices when reading the rhymes to make the reading session more engaging and memorable.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, helping them connect visually and artistically with the content.
Create a 'nonsense night' where each family member comes up with the silliest stories they can think of, inspired by the book, to promote creativity and family bonding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of creativity and imagination
Explanation: The nonsensical and whimsical nature of the stories encourages children to think outside the box and explore their imagination.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by engaging in creative activities such as drawing, storytelling, or imaginative play, fostering creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Embracing individuality
Explanation: The unique and bizarre characters demonstrate that being different is not only acceptable but celebrated.
Real-World Application: This can help children feel more confident in expressing their own uniqueness in social situations, appreciating diversity among their peers.
Example Lesson: The value of humor and laughter
Explanation: The playful and humorous tone of the book highlights the importance of laughter and not taking life too seriously.
Real-World Application: Children learn to find joy and humor in everyday situations, which can aid in stress relief and overall emotional health.
Example Lesson: Language and rhyming skills
Explanation: The rhythmic and rhyming sentences enhance phonemic awareness and language development.
Real-World Application: Practicing rhymes and rhythm can improve children’s reading skills and phonetic understanding, useful in academic settings.