K-Gr 4–Hagerup (1905–85), considered one of the greatest Norwegian poets of the 20th century, also authored award-winning books and plays. This attractive collection contains 17 of her poems that are as familiar to Norwegian youngsters as English nursery rhymes are to American and British children. Hagerup’s rhymes feature bugs, plants, animals, and some very odd characters. Sweet Pea is a flower who believes she was “meant to be a butterfly/because I have wings — almost!” And there’s Shoemaker Madsen from Bornebu who likes “making lace/at a slow pace.” Gaugin’s original illustrations are attractively rendered in black-line cartoon style with splotches of light green, royal blue, aquamarine, pumpkin, and mustard.
VERDICT The book’s appealing cover will engage children, and the poems might prompt them to create their own silly rhymes.
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