About Helaine Becker's Mother Goose Unplucked

Shortlisted for the 2009 Hackmatack Award!

For Ages 8-12

In the tradition of the award-winning,

smash hit Boredom Blasters, Mother Goose Unplucked takes kids on an energetic, fun- and fact-filled excursion that will tickle

their funny bones while offering a multitude of ways to be very amused.

A wacky cast of characters, familiar to us all from our best-known childhood standbys but appearing here as we've never seen them before, pop up on the pages of this winning book. Witches, fairies, gnomes, giants, princes, stepsisters, farmers, wolves, pigs, cows, dishes, and spoons are here in familiar settings, but with a very fresh take on their circumstances.

Readers will be introduced to the latest music sensation, Rapper Rapunzel, who appears here as an insolent tweenager, banished to her attic room by her fed-up parents. The good Fairy Godmother is an advice columnist. And the Big Bad Wolf, considered armed (with very big teeth to eat you with) and dangerous, is wanted for identity theft. Readers will discover how to write their own very off-the-wall fairy tales, solve riddles to Stump the Dragon, make their own Spell Decoder magic wand, put Humpty Dumpty back together again,

and loads more.

Fascinating facts, laugh-out-loud cartoons, tasty recipes, hilariously inspired crafts, brain bogglers, crazy jokes, head-scratching riddles, eye-popping optical illusions, and giggle-inducing activities fill each chapter to bursting. To be enjoyed alone or shared with friends and family, Mother Goose Unplucked is guaranteed to supply hours upon hours of engaging entertainment and delightful learning.

NEWS AND REVIEWS:

"Helaine Becker has taken the twisted fairy tale concept one step further by creating an activity book centred around the enchanted land of 'Happilyeverafter.' Becker, whose previous activity book Boredom Blasters received the Silver Birch Award, sticks to the same award-winning format but presents a more thematically focused collection this time around...Claudia Davila's brightly coloured cartoon illustrations of dragons, princesses, fairies and ogres as well as their magical lands perfectly complement the fun, sassy tone of Becker's witty text. This well-conceived collection will keep kids royally entertained for hours."

- Quill and Quire

"A truly amazing assortment of games, puzzles, quizzes, creative writing activities, recipes, riddles, jokes, scavenger hunts, tongue twisters, horoscopes - the list goes on and on...Mother Goose Unplucked is so full of ideas for interactive games and learning activities that any teachers, librarians or parents with a love of or interest in fairytales should be happy to add it to their collection...Mother Goose Unplucked will be especially appreciated by those elementary or middle school teachers who include a fairy tale unit in their language arts program."

3 1/2 out of 4 Stars - Highly Recommended.

- CM Magazine

"When it comes to something to do, this is the book for you! The untold stories of fairies and the big bad wolf are waiting inside! Colourful mind benders, crazy games and abnormal cooking recipes await your magic touch.

I found this book very entertaining. It is fun and colourful, making the reader want to see more. There are twisted fairytales, hilarious comics, mind bending questions and even cooking recipes. Everything you need for a party or a good tongue twister. The pages are never too crowded, which was surprising considering the amount of wacky childhood nursery rhymes that were involved in the entire book. I loved the fact that some of the games and riddles were actually a test for someone my age.

I would recommend this book for eight years old and up. It is so much fun to get into! The stories are interesting and creative, and the games can keep you occupied for hours.

I give Mother Goose Unplucked five enchanted stars."

RATING: 5 Stars!

- Sarah's Stars

"Mother Goose Unplucked provides kids with oodles of fun games, puzzles, and comic strips that will keep them busy for hours.

Filled with jokes, activities, and group games, Mother Goose Unplucked is perfect for home and school. Created for kids, ages 8 to 12, this book is a great way to beat those unbearable “I’m bored” days...

Learn how to catch a dragon by making a thaumotrope, find your way through the Fairy Tale Forest by following the compass directions, and write a goofy fairy tale. The activities are fun and educational and are great for summer camps, outings, and school.

Perfect Activities Book...What I love most about Mother Goose Unplucked is that it’s perfect for when I have a large group of kids over at my house. The games are hilarious fun that both younger and older children can enjoy. It keeps everyone busy and laughing, as they chase the dragon’s tale or play "Down, Down, Down Under." You can’t get this much fun off a television screen!"

- Suite 101

"Board games, comics, tongue twisters, quizzes, optical illusions, paper crafts and recipes are just a sampling of some of the great activities in Helaine Becker and Claudia Davila's bold, fresh take on nursery rhymes and fairy tales. This book extends the life of best-loved nursery rhymes and fairy tales and rejuvenates them for today's young audiences."

- Canadian Children's Book News