Bird, Betsy. Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme. Andrea Tsurumi, Illus. Union Square Kids, 03/2025. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-4549-6046-1. GRADES Baby/Toddler–1. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
In this celebration of Mother Goose rhymes, a bird is reading the rhymes when a weasel interrupts by saying “Pop! Goes the Weasel.” This happens several times, interrupting the recitation of “Jack and Jill,” “Little Miss Muffet,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” and a few others. Each time the bird admonishes the weasel in frustration, until the story’s surprise ending. The storytime audience can repeat the phrase “Pop! Goes the Weasel” which stops each rhyme before its last line. This is a fun way to introduce nursery rhymes to toddlers or to confirm them with older preschoolers who will appreciate the anarchy. The book ends with an author’s note on the history and at times unfortunate historical references in some rhymes. The pastel shaded cartoon artwork adds energy and charm, depicting all the characters as animals.
Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool