Hey Diddle Diddle: Our Best-Loved Nursery Rhymes and What They Really Mean
Author(s): Sam Foster (Author)
Publisher: Summersdale
Publication Date: 6 Oct. 2008
Language: English
Print length: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1840247088
ISBN-13: 9781840247084
Book Description
This charming compilation of 40 of the best-loved traditional nursery rhymes offers clues as to their true meanings and often surprising origins.
Many of the catchy songs we grew up with were not nonsense verses for the playground but served as satirical commentaries on political events of the day. These seemingly innocent vehicles were once used to spread subversive messages at a time when illiteracy was commonplace in society and direct criticism of the authorities was punishable by prison or death.
Sing a Song of Sixpence, a Pocketful of Rye, Four and Twenty Blackbirds Baked in a Pie… Was this simply about a delicacy of the day? Or was it, as some claim, a coded message used to recruit members for Blackbeard’s pirate ships?
This humorously illustrated book offers a trip down memory lane and some fascinating food for thought for anyone interested in English history and language.
Editorial Reviews
Review
‘Most of the suggestions of meaning in this book are open to conjecture and debate.’ — Cannock & Rugeley Chronicle February 12 and Sandwell Chronicle February 19, 2009
‘Nursery rhymes clarified for Simple Simons.’ —
The Field, March 2009
‘With humorous illustrations… a trip down memory lane and the true stories and speculated meanings behind these classic rhymes.’ —
Best of British Magazine, January 2009
`A really interesting, yet light-hearted sketch of the history of our nursery tales.’ —
Four Shires, November 2008
`A very entertaining read.’ —
Newborn to Teen website, November 11, 2008
`a charming new compilation… offers clues to their true meanings and often surprising origins.’ —
Primary Times, October 2008
`offers a trip down memory lane and some fascinating food for thought.’ —
Hertfordshire Countryside, October 2008
`the real stories behind the rhymes are fascinating.’ —
Primary Times, November 1, 2008
`this is a brilliant idea for a book… makes for a fascinating study… it’s an entertaining, illuminating read.’ —
ross-shirejournal.co.uk, October 16, 2008
`this well-researched title sheds light on the surprising and often dramatic origins behind favourites.’ —
Country & Border Life, May 2009
Review
`a charming new compilation… offers clues to their true meanings and often surprising origins.’
Review
`this is a brilliant idea for a book… makes for a fascinating study… it’s an entertaining, illuminating read.’
Review
`A very entertaining read.’
Book Description
`the real stories behind the rhymes are fascinating.’
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