Bargain Ebook: The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde for $1.99

The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde is on sale for $1.99 for the first time for the digital edition. There's a send up of Nursery Rhymes in this one with that Fforde British humor to boot.

Book description:

From the creator of The Eyre Affair, enter the world of the Nursery Crime Division

Jasper Fforde's bestselling Thursday Next series has delighted readers of every genre with its literary derring-do and brilliant flights of fancy. In The Big Over Easy, Fforde takes a break from classic literature and tumbles into the seedy underbelly of nursery crime. Meet Inspector Jack Spratt, family man and head of the Nursery Crime Division. He's investigating the murder of ovoid D-class nursery celebrity Humpty Dumpty, found shattered to death beneath a wall in a shabby area of town. Yes, the big egg is down, and all those brittle pieces sitting in the morgue point to foul play.

Crafty Friday: Fairy Tale Amigurumi: Crochet Patterns by Lis Sun

I am trying to get organized enough to get some regular blog posts going again. So Crafty Friday is returning with Fairy Tale Amigurumi: Crochet Patterns by Lis Sun. Since most of you are like-minded and mostly want to enjoy the pictures and cleverness of the crafts, I have pictures! Enjoy!

I really do like the Amigurumi style.

Book description:

This compilation consists of the fairy tales that we grow up with. The stories of red riding hood and the big grey wolf, the nursery rhymes of dumpty humpty, the little pinocchio that grows a long nose when he lies, the beautiful rapunzel saved by the charming prince, and the famous Chinese teaching on the frog in the well.

This book consists of written pattern instruction and well illustrated pictorial instruction with generous spread of photos to guide you along.

Skill level: *Easy
*Patterns use basic stitches such as sc, dc, hdc, inc, dec, ch, sl st etc.

I found many of these images on Lisa Sun's various internet hangouts. At SAPlanet, she tells a little more about this pattern's inspiration, which is not the expected European frog, well, etc. stories:

One of the most commonly used Chinese phrase would be ‘frog in the well’ – ( 井底蛙 )

This usually refers to one who thinks too full of himself, and thinks he knows everything, neglecting the fact that there is a bigger world out there than the shallow well he stays in.

And let's not forget Humpty Dumpty...

Fairy Tales in Stitches Week: Bent Creek

These fairy tale cross stitch designs are by Bent Creek. Well, one is a fairy tale, the other is a nursery rhyme with Little Boy Blue. They are obviously meant to be companion pieces. They are fittingly titled Red and Blue which makes them a little bit harder to find in a search.

All of these images came from 123Stitch.com. I am not affiliated with them but for convenience I recommend 123stitch for acquiring these patterns. I have a favorite local shop in Nashville, but they don't do online orders. I have used 123stitch personally in the past and liked their service, so I feel okay offering them as a resource link.

Bargain Ebook: Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

Since I'm a sucker for books that use nursery rhymes/finger plays as well as fairy tales to form their plot, I had to share that Amazon has the ebook version of Five Little Pigs (Hercule Poirot Mysteries / Queen of Mystery) by Agatha Christie bargain priced today only for $1.99. It'll be back to $6.99-7.99 tomorrow. I've not read this one--and am admittedly not a Poirot fan (I know, shame on me)--but this will make a great distraction the next time I'm stuck in a line somewhere.

I'm also gradually building up my Christie library as they are bargain priced. My favorites--the Tommy and Tuppence books--keep staying full price however. Hard to justify when they sit in paper on my shelf. And my oldest niece is a few years away from enjoying these so I'm stockpiling for her, too.

Book description:

Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, yet there were five other suspects: Philip Blake (the stockbroker) who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist) who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcee) who had roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess) who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister) who cried 'wee wee wee' all the way home.

It is sixteen years later, but Hercule Poirot just can't get that nursery rhyme out of his mind…

Two and Twenty Dark Tales: Dark Retellings of Mother Goose Rhymes

 

Two and Twenty Dark Tales: Dark Retellings of Mother Goose Rhymes is released today in the US and UK, same covers this time. And, despite the cover implications, it's for ages 12 and up. I can see some parents being wary of this one due to the cover which has more adult dark romance tones--unfortunate pose of the model. But these are YA authors and YA tales according to the publicity. I haven't read it yet but I'll believe the authors more than the cover. This is one of those times I'd throw a concept at hubby John, saying, "YA. Nursery Rhymes. Dark versions. Make a cover." And he'd do it so well...after some back and forth and slight marital strife because art creation can be tense.

Book description:

In this anthology, 20 authors explore the dark and hidden meanings behind some of the most beloved Mother Goose nursery rhymes through short story retellings. The dark twists on classic tales range from exploring whether Jack truly fell or if Jill pushed him instead to why Humpty Dumpty, fragile and alone, sat atop so high of a wall. The authors include Nina Berry, Sarwat Chadda, Leigh Fallon, Gretchen McNeil, and Suzanne Young.

Table of Contents:

Table of Contents
1. Dedication
2. Copyright
3. Introduction by Georgia McBride
4. Foreword by Francisco X. Stork
5. As Blue as the Sky and Just as Old by Nina Berry
6. Sing a Song of Six-Pence by Sarwat Chadda
7. Clockwork by Leah Cypess
8. Blue by Sayantani DasGupta
9. Pieces of Eight by Shannon Delany with Max Scialdone
10. Wee Willie Winkie by Leigh Fallon
11. Come Out to Play by Angie Frazier
12. I Come Bearing Souls by Jessie Harrell
13. The Lion and the Unicorn: Part the First by Nancy Holder
14. Life in a Shoe by Heidi K. Kling
15. Interlude: Humpty Dumpty, a poem by Georgia McBride
16. Candlelight by Suzanne Lazear
17. One for Sorrow by Karen Mahoney
18. Those Who Whisper by Lisa Mantchev
19. Little Miss Muffet by Georgia McBride
20. Sea of Dew (short version) by C. Lee McKenzie
21. Tick Tock by Gretchen McNeil
22. A Pocket Full of Posy by Pamela san Hylckama Vlieg
23. The Well by K. M. Walton
24. The Wish by Suzanne Young
25. A Ribbon of Blue by Michelle Zink
26. Sea of Dew (extended version) by C. Lee McKenzie
27. The Lion and the Unicorn: Part the Second by Nancy Holder
28. Publisher Acknowledgments
29. Author Acknowledgments

New Book: Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists

Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists made the NYPL's Children's Books 2011: Graphic Novels list. There weren't many other fairy tale or folklore related books on any of their lists this year, other than Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu which I think ended up the most recommended fairy tale retelling in the end of the year lists. It certainly appeared on quite a few of them. Perhaps Disney should look to it for their Snow Queen interpretations.

But back to why we have this post:

Which reminded me that I hadn't featured the book on SurLaLune yet.

I am a Nursery Rhyme fan and I admit a soft spot for Hickory Dickory Dock, so the illustrations for it sold me on the book. But I have more to share which I will let speak for themselves along with the usual publisher description and such.

Book Description:

First Second is very proud to present Nursery Rhyme Comics. Featuring fifty classic nursery rhymes illustrated and interpreted in comics form by fifty of today’s preeminent cartoonists and illustrators, this is a groundbreaking new entry in the canon of nursery rhymes treasuries.

From New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast’s “There Was a Crooked Man” to Bad Kitty author Nick Bruel’s “Three Little Kittens” to First Second’s own Gene Yang’s “Pat-a-Cake,” this is a collection that will put a grin on your face from page one and keep it there.

Each rhyme is one to three pages long, and simply paneled and lettered to ensure that the experience is completely accessible for the youngest of readers. Chock full of engaging full-color artwork and favorite characters (Jack and Jill! Old Mother Hubbard! The Owl and the Pussycat!), this collection will be treasured by children for years to come.

Nursery Rhyme Comics cartoonists:

Nick Abadzis; Andrew Arnold; Kate Beaton; Vera Brosgol; Nick Bruel; Scott Campbell; Lilli Carre; Roz Chast; JP Coovert; Jordan Crane; Rebecca Dart; Eleanor Davis; Vanessa Davis; Theo Ellsworth; Matt Forsythe; Jules Feiffer; Bob Flynn; Alexis Frederick-Frost; Ben Hatke; Gilbert Hernandez; Jaime Hernandez; Lucy Knisley; David Macaulay; Mark Martin; Patrick McDonnell; Mike Mignola; Tony Millionaire; Tao Nyeu; George O’Connor; Mo Oh; Eric Orchard; Laura Park; Cyril Pedrosa; Lark Pien; Aaron Renier; Dave Roman; Marc Rosenthal; Stan Sakai; Richard Sala; Mark Siegel; James Sturm; Raina Telgemeier; Craig Thompson; Richard Thompson; Sara Varon; Jen Wang; Drew Weing; Gahan Wilson; Gene Luen Yang; Stephanie Yue; and an introduction by Leonard Marcus.

Advertising: Levi's Kids and Fairy Tales

Advertising Agency: BBH Asia Pacific
Executive Regional Creative Director: Steve Elrick
Creative Director: Todd Waldron
Art Director: Eirma Webster
Copywriter: Angie Featherstone
Illustrator: Tye Sok Kuan
Visualisers: Ken Lee, Heng Loong Loh
Account Management: Frances Great, Lesley-Anne John
Production: Asmanic Yang, D'or Tey
Published: March 2009

Via Ads of the World.

Nursery Rhymes Exhibit in Santa Barbara, California

(This is just here for visual interest, I have no idea what images are in the exhibit itself.)

Nursery Rhymes Exhibit

The Karpeles, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, California

September 1 - December 29, 2011

A nursery rhyme is any verse that is customarily and traditionally said or sung to small children. From the point of view of definition, the source and age of the rhyme is immaterial, and it need not originally have been intended for children.

It becomes a nursery rhyme through usage.

Why are Most Nursery Rhymes Old?

When a child has to be entertained, the rhymes and songs most readily recalled are those from an adult's own childhood, and this is the reason why the nursery repertoire is traditional and remains moderately stable. A rare exception is a rhyme or song which was new when the adult was a child may occasionally come to mind along with the old verses, and thus enter the stream of tradition. Two such 'new-commers' are: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Written by Ann and Jane Taylor in 1806) and Mary Had a Little Lamb (Written by Sarah Josepha Hale in 1830).

The ages of nursery rhymes vary considerably, and the origin and history of each rhyme must be examined individually.


Original Illustrations will be on exhibit from:

Baa, Baa Black Sheep

Cock a Doodle doo

Goosey,goosey,gander

Hickety, pickety

Humpty Dumpty

Jack and Jill

King Arthur

Little Bo Peep

Ring a-round the roses

Simple Simon a

Simple Simon b

There was a crooked man

There Was a Little Man

This Little Piggy

Three wise men of Gotham

Wee Willie Winkie

Oranges and Lemons


In addition, The following will be included in the exhibit:

Charles Perrault
Jack and Jill by L. M. Alcott

This is the House/Jack Built

Advertising: Fairy Tale Posters for Brain Candy Toys

I haven't had many advertising posts in a while. Then I saw these from earlier this year and fell in love with them, so I had to share. Obviously a campaign for BrainCandyToys.ca. Found via Ads of the World. Which one is your favorite? And really, what a fun way to introduce math equations, too! The more I look at them the more I like them.

Credits:

Advertising Agency: Revolve, Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada

Creative Director: Matthew Allen
Associate Creative Director: Allan Carver
Art Directors: Eric Miller, Steve Wallace
Copywriters: Steve Wallace, Eric Miller
Illustrator: Eric Miller
Published: April 2011

 

Horn Book Winner: Pocketful of Posies by Salley Mavor

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes has just been announced as the Picture Book 2011 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Medal Winner. None of the other titles are folklore or fairy tale related but nursery rhymes always count and this book is gorgeous so I had to share here. (It is also currently 60% off at Amazon for $8.80 probably due to the award announcement, but I'm not sure.) I love nursery rhymes but this version has quickly become a favorite. Mavor's needlework illustrations are charming and fit the rhymes so very well.

So here's some images to help you appreciate this one:

Also by Mavor:

Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects