Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. And the green grass grew all around: folk poetry from everyone. Illustrated by Sue Truesdell. New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN: 0-06-446214-5.
And the green grass grew all around: folk poetry from everyone is a collection selected by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Sue Truesdell. The folk poems are arranged into fifteen various subjects. The fifteen subjects are as follows: people, food, school, teases and taunts, wishes – and warnings, love and marriage, work, stories, nonsense, riddles, fun and games, rain and shine, a tree, animals and insects, and other things. Schwartz also includes an introduction in which he reveals his personal connection to these poems, I learned hundreds of rhymes from other children. Some we chanted, others we sang. We used them in games and to be silly. We used them to make fun of how grown-ups behaved and to show our feelings about people we liked and didn’t like. We even had rhymes about what was going on in the world, about politics, strikes, dictators, and war. And we had rhymes to make our wishes come true. (viii) The number of poems under each subject heading vary from topic to topic. Some are quite extensive, and others are quite few. But regardless of the number of poems, the quality remains excellent. Schwartz has captured the folk poetry that is alive and well across America. Many of these poems are familiar reminders of our own childhood days.
The first subject Schwartz presents is people. He devotes fourteen pages to poems about you and me: how we look, how we behave, how silly and sweet we can be (1). There are many wonderful poems in this chapter. It includes this memorable poem, Down by the ocean, down by the sea, Johnny broke a bottle And blamed it on me. I told Ma, Ma told Pa, Johnny got a lickin’, Ha, ha, ha! (3). Another classic included is the song Do your ears hang low.
The second subject Schwartz presents is food. Poetry about food is given ten pages in his book because Schwartz feels that, folk poets think that eating is the most delicious thing they do and also the funniest(15). The chapter includes the classic song On Top Of Spaghetti in addition to some other memorable rhymes such as I eat my peas with honey, I’ve done it all my life. It makes the peas taste funny, But it keeps them on my knife (20).
The third subject Schwartz presents is school. Eight pages are devoted to poetry that describes how school is not a perfect place(25). In this chapter, I have found that most of the poems are really songs using familiar tunes such as On Top of Old Smoky the Battle Hymn of the Republic and Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho. The poems feature students triumphing over their mean and horrible teachers. Of course, this classic is included, No more pencils, no more books, No more teachers’ dirty looks, No more things that bring us sorrow, For we won’t be here come tomorrow (32).
The fourth subject Schwartz presents is teases and taunts. There are eight pages or thirty-one rhymes here to help you say what you think (33). Included in this chapter is the rhyme Sticks and stones will break my bones, But names will never hurt me, And when you’re dead and in your grave, You’ll pay for what you called me (40). I had heard the first two lines of this poem, but this is the first time I’ve encountered the last two lines. I must say that it improves the saying!
The fifth subject Schwartz presents is wishes—and warnings. There are six pages of rhymes that tell the future and others that make your wishes come true (41). These poems are usually quite short. For example, Step on a knife, You’ll lead a lonely life(42). Although this one was not familiar to me, I must say that I enjoy its message, If your shoelace comes untied, It is a sign sure and true, That at that very moment Your love thinks of you (42).
The sixth subject Schwartz presents is love and marriage. There are ten pages of poems on this subject because folk poets seem more interested in this subject than any other (47). One of the poems is My heart is not a plaything, My heart is not a toy, But if I want it broken, I’ll give it to a boy (51). Another poem that is sweet and to the point is, Love many, trust few, Always paddle your own canoe (52). It also features the ever-so-familiar song Here comes the bride, big, fat and wide. (Although the words are different from how I’ve always heard it.)
The seventh subject Schwartz presents is on work. It features only one poem entitled When I first came to this land. It is very cumulative in nature much like And the green grass grew all around.
The eighth subject Schwartz presents is stories. There are ten pages of poems that fit into this category. They are about the everyday experiences we have…a holdup, a shipwreck, the ninth inning in a baseball game, and a pig run wild (61). I don’t know how everyday those occurrences actually are, but the poems are nice.
The ninth subject Schwartz presents is nonsense. There are fourteen pages of poems that take you into a world where almost nothing is the way it should be (71). It includes my all-time favorite (silly) song The Cow Kicked Nelly In The Belly In The Barn. (I still go around singing this song!) Another song included is Boom, boom, ain’t it great to be crazy.
The tenth subject Schwartz presents is riddles. There are eight pages of riddles that rhyme. It includes Round and round the rugged rock The ragged rascal ran. How many R’s are there in that? Now tell me if you can (87). Fortunately, the answers to these riddles are provided.
The eleventh subject Schwartz presents is fun and games. There are eighteen pages of poems that will help you do all sorts of things (93). The poems are divided into subcategories: counting out and choosing up, hide and seek, jumping rope, clapping, bouncing a ball, fiddling around, taking one breath, chanting, and cheering.
The twelfth subject Schwartz presents is rain and shine. There are six pages of poetry about weather. Included in this section is another one of my favorites, The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then, poor thing? (116).
The thirteenth subject Schwartz presents is on a tree. The poem for this category is The Green Grass Grew All Around. It takes six pages to cover this very catchy song!
The fourteenth subject Schwartz presents is animals and insects. There are twelve pages of poems that describe wild and crazy animals. I must say this is one of my favorite chapters. Included in this chapter is one poem that my mother is always reciting to me anytime a bird flies over, Birdie, birdie in the sky, Why’d you do that in my eye? I don’t whimper, I don’t cry, I’m just glad that cows don’t fly (129). Also included is the song Be Kind to Your Web-Footed Friends. It took me years to figure out why this song was always played for fireworks on the fourth of July! But it is a favorite. (Although I remember different words.)
The final subject Schwartz presents is on other things. There are fourteen pages devoted to these miscellaneous poems about prunes, teapots, dentists, ladybugs, and everything else you can think of (135). There are many clever poems in this chapter including this little rhyme, Often we are foolish, When it’s hot we want it coolish, When it’s cool we want it hot, Always wanting what is not (143).
Schwartz also provides the reader with extensive notes on the background of these poems – and really all folk poetry. The notes will lead the reader to further sources. Furthermore, they provide credibility to the collection. Schwartz’s collection is enjoyable for people of all ages.
Sue Truesdell’s black and white drawings are humorous and well placed. They enhance the collection tremendously. The drawings capture the heart and soul of these poems. I think my favorite is on page fifty-three. The drawing complements the poem I love you, I love you, I love you lots. My love for you Would fill all the pots, Buckets, pitchers, kettles, and cans, The gig washtub and both dishpans (53). Truesdell’s drawing captures a man frantically running around catching little hearts into all the pots and pans he can. His wife is looking quite overwhelmed in the background! It is just too cute.