Mother Goose in Prose
📘 About This Book
Mother Goose in Prose is a collection of twenty-two children's stories based on Mother Goose nursery rhymes. It was the first children's book written by L. Frank Baum, and the first book illustrated by Maxfield Parrish. It was originally published in 1897 by Way and Williams of Chicago, and re-released by the George M. Hill Company in 1901. The book opens with an introduction by Baum that traces the history of Mother Goose. It is followed by the original text of a nursery rhyme with a broader story to establish its literary context. Sing a Song o' Sixpence The Story of Little Boy Blue The Cat and the Fiddle Black Sheep Old King Cole Mistress Mary The Wond'rous Wise Man What Jack Horner Did The Man in the Moon The Jolly Miller The Little Man and His Little Gun Hickory, Dickory, Dock Little Bo-Peep The Story of Tommy Tucker Pussy-cat Mew How the Beggars Came to Town Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son Humpty Dumpty The Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Little Miss Muffet Three Wise Men of Gotham Little Bun Rabbit
📖 Summary
Mother Goose in Prose is a remarkable piece of literary history, serving as the very first children's book written by L. Frank Baum, years before he captured the world's imagination with the land of Oz. Published in 1897 by Way and Williams of Chicago, and later re-released by the George M. Hill Company in 1901, this 154-page volume bridges the gap between traditional folklore and narrative storytelling. The book opens with a thoughtful introduction by Baum that traces the historical origins and evolution of Mother Goose, setting the stage for what follows. Rather than presenting the nursery rhymes in isolation, Baum takes twenty-two classic pieces of verse and expands them into broader, fully realized children's stories designed to establish their literary context. Each chapter pairs the original text of a nursery rhyme with an extended narrative adventure. Readers encounter beloved characters and familiar verses brought to life in new ways, including Sing a Song o' Sixpence, The Story of Little Boy Blue, The Cat and the Fiddle, Black Sheep, Old King Cole, Mistress Mary, The Wond'rous Wise Man, What Jack Horner Did, The Man in the Moon, The Jolly Miller, The Little Man and His Little Gun, and Hickory, Dickory, Dock, among others. Beyond Baum's imaginative prose, the book holds immense historical significance in the art world as the very first book illustrated by the legendary Maxfield Parrish. Parrish's distinctive artwork complements Baum's storytelling, creating an aesthetic experience that delighted young readers at the turn of the century and continues to fascinate collectors today. Through this collection, Baum demonstrates his early mastery of whimsical pacing, character development, and accessible prose for young audiences. It lays the groundwork for the themes of wonder and adventure that would define his later career, while paying homage to the enduring power of traditional nursery rhymes. For anyone interested in the evolution of children's literature, classic Americana, or the formative works of a master storyteller, Mother Goose in Prose offers a charming and historically rich reading experience.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Written by L. Frank Baum in his children's book debut
Features historical illustrations by Maxfield Parrish
Expands familiar nursery rhymes into engaging prose narratives
Includes an informative introduction tracing the history of Mother Goose
⚠️ Cons
May feel dated or old-fashioned to modern young readers
Shorter page count leaves readers wanting more detailed expansions
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who wrote Mother Goose in Prose? +
The book was written by L. Frank Baum, marking his very first children's book.
When was the book originally published? +
It was originally published in 1897 by Way and Williams of Chicago, and later re-released in 1901 by the George M. Hill Company.
Who illustrated the book? +
It was the very first book illustrated by the legendary artist Maxfield Parrish.
How many stories are included in the collection? +
The book contains twenty-two children's stories based on traditional Mother Goose nursery rhymes.
What is included at the beginning of the book? +
The book opens with an introduction by L. Frank Baum that traces the history of Mother Goose.
