Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme - by Betsy Bird (Hardcover)

About the Book

The sensible Secretary Bird wants nothing more than to get on with their job of properly narrating a classic nursery rhyme book. But something is afoot in the orderly land of nursery rhymes ... a zippy little Weasel has entered the scene! As the Secretary Bird tries to get through the rhymes--from Little Miss Muffet to Jack and Jill--the Weasel bursts in, throwing everything into a comical tailspin. Can the Secretary Bird put an end to the chaos?

Book Synopsis

In this laugh-out-loud spin on a classic nursery rhyme collection, a feisty weasel continuously interrupts the narrator's carefully prepared recitation--adding exuberant mischief to the timeless rhymes we all know and love.

The sensible Secretary Bird wants nothing more than to get on with their job of properly narrating a classic nursery rhyme book. But something is afoot in the orderly land of nursery rhymes . . . a zippy little Weasel has entered the scene! As the Secretary Bird tries to get through the rhymes--from Little Miss Muffet to Jack and Jill--the Weasel bursts in, throwing everything into a comical tailspin. Can the Secretary Bird put an end to the chaos?

In POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme, influential children's librarian Betsy Bird and acclaimed illustrator Andrea Tsurumi remix beloved nursery rhymes, serving up a classic-in-the-making packed with hilarious surprises that will have little listeners riveted.

Review Quotes

"A raucous celebration of rule- breaking that will have young readers eagerly anticipating each rhyme's incoming "POP!"
--Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review

"Catnip for adults who like to perform their picture books to giggles and guffaws."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Readers familiar with traditional Mother Goose rhymes and those drawn to the absurd will most appreciate this additional purchase."
--School Library Journal

A CBC 2026 Kids Favorite (K-3)--Children's Book Council

"The bird's rising exasperation will be matched by the reader's increasing enjoyment."
-- The Wall Street Journal--WSJ

About the Author

Betsy Bird is the collection development manager of Evanston Public Library and writes the blog A Fuse #8 Production for School Library Journal. Betsy is also the author of the picture books Giant Dance Party and The Great Santa Stakeout and the middle-grade novel Long Road to the Circus, illustrated by Caldecott-winning illustrator David Small. She lives in Illinois.

Andrea Tsurumi (they/them) is the author and illustrator of the picture books Accident!, Crab Cake, and I'm on It! (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!) and the illustrator of books including My Head Has a Bellyache (written by Chris Harris), Mr. Watson's Chickens (written by Jarrett Dapier), and the Kondo & Kezumi series (written by David Goodner). They live in Philadelphia, PA. Visit Andrea at andreatsurumi.com.