AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND is a wonderful collection of rhymes, riddles, nonsense, poems and chants for the entire family to share together.  The collection is really a celebration of language, words and humor.

The Collection is set up into sections such as People, Wishes and Warnings, School, Love and Marriage, Teases and Taunts, Work, and Riddles.  Each section has a selection of songs, chants, rhymes, poems, or games that can be used for family fun, in the classroom, or for personal enjoyment.  The School section is particularly funny and would be a hit with any child.  Try singing the following excerpt to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic:  Mine eyes have seen the glory / Of the closing of the school. / We have tortured all the teachers, / We have broken every rule.

Reading through this book will cause anyone to reminisce about the songs of their childhood, whether at summer camp or on the playground.  The Collection includes a section of notes, sources and a bibliography.  The notes section in particular offers information regarding each section and interesting bits of history and lore.  The illustrations by Sue Truesdell are entertaining and expand the text with humorous cartoon style depictions.