Picture Book of Mother Goose

Berta and Elmer Hader were Caldecott Medal winners, and this treasury makes clear why. More than 170 illustrations — painstakingly restored from originals held at the University of Oregon — accompany a generous sweep of nursery rhymes organized by type: songs, game rhymes, lullabies, and more. Musical notation is included, so it can function as a genuine sing-along resource, not just a reading book. The honest caveat is that this 1987 reprint of a much older work comes without any new editorial commentary, and a handful of rhymes carry the faintly archaic attitudes of their era. For families seeking a beautiful, classic collection for the very youngest readers, the Caldecott pedigree and restored artwork make this a legitimate keeper. Worth It.