Little Miss Muffet

by Tracey Campbell Pearson

Nursery rhymes with a contemporary twist

In this version of the classic rhyme, Miss Muffet carries her tuffet (a comfy pillow) outdoors to enjoy her bowl of curds and whey. But when a sudden wind blows a spider her way, the girl is gone in a flash, leaving all behind - including her scrumptious snack, much to the delight of her cat.

Genres: Nursery Rhymes, Picture Books

14 pages, Board Book

First published April 7, 2005

About the author

Tracey Campbell Pearson was born in Norwalk, Connecticut. The youngest of four children, her family moved to neighboring Wilton when she was eight years old. While attending Parsons School of Design, she studied with Maurice Sendak and discovered her love for creating children's books. After her graduation from Parsons in 1978, -she began her career as a staff artist at American Greetings Corp. in Cleveland, Ohio. She returned to New York City in 1980, where she began a full-time career as a freelance illustrator. Her first book, We Wish You a Merry Christmas [Dial 1981], was a Booklist reviewer's choice.

Since 1980, Tracey Campbell Pearson has illustrated more than twenty-five books for children. She wrote five of those, including The Howling Dog [Farrar Straus arid Giroux 1991], selected as one of the top 100 Classic New England Children's Books, Yankee Magazine. The Purple Hat [FSG 1991] and her recent book, Where Does Joe Go? [FSG 1999], which won a-2000 Oppenheim Toy "Portfolio Gold" Award and -receivjed-starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly. P.W. describes Joe as "One of the cleversest entries this season...". The story is based on the seasonal changes at a snack bar in her hometown in Vermont.

Many of her books - The Awful Aardvarks Go to School [Viking 1971], The Missing Tarts [Viking 1981] - have received starred and notable reviews. Her awards include a Parent's Choice Award for illustration, Time Magazine "Best Books", and Parenting Magazine's "Reading Top Magic" Award. She is also the illustrator of the Claude and Shirley series, written by Joan Lowery Nixon, a Parent's Choice Award winner about an amusing couple who are Texas pioneers.

Ms. Pearson moved to Vermont in 1982, where she lives with her husband, son, daughter, dog, cat and chickens ... all of whom have made guest appearances in her books.

Reviews

[Sylvie Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearson's cheerful, watercolor illustrations depict a preschool-aged Miss Muffet, who brings her tuffet (shown here as a long, betassled pillow), her bowl of curds and whey, a blanket and some toys outside for a picnic meal, followed by her curious cat. When the spider frightens Miss Muffet away, her playful cat stays behind to swat at it and to happily lap up the remains of the curds & whey. The illustrations extend the story and make this easy-to-hold board book the perfect introduction to this classic nursery rhyme for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers alike.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josie x 2

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though Little Miss Muffet is a contemporary girl wearing a sweat suit, the nursery rhyme itself remains timeless. Double-page soft, watercolor illustrations depict this young girl as the rhyme unfolds for young readers. Surrounded by her teddy and pulltoy, this Asian representation of Little Miss Muffet represents toddlers well and introduces a timeless nursery rhyme to the youngest readers. I like the modernization of Miss Muffet. I like how identifiable Miss Muffet
is to children. Some versions of Little Miss Muffet look scary, but this is very much child friendly. I would recommend this for on-on-one reading or, if found in a bigger version, for a toddler storytime.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

C-U-T-E!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Board book to the nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations are just so ugly.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

50 Books to Read to Your Baby(2013 Meade Co.)

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this one repeatedly. Very short lines distributed through the book but the illustrations are worth lingering over and catching the details.