Module Nine...The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose

The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose! by Gabby Gosling.  Illustrations by Tim Banks. 
 

Gosling, G., Banks, T.  (2004).  The top secret files of Mother Goose!  Milwaukee, WI:  Gareth Stevens Pub.


Summary:

Detective Mother Goose is hot on the trail of the one responsible for theft of the tarts that belong to the Queen of Hearts.  Questioning everyone from Little Miss Muffett to The Cat and the Fiddle, she is determined to discover what happened.  


Reaction:  

This book is really cute and really well written.  The pictures are vibrant and engaging.  The story was easy to follow yet it kept me interesting.


Reviews:


Jenkinson, D. (2003). The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose (Book). CM: Canadian Review Of Materials, 10(2), N.PAG.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 24, 2013).

The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose belongs with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs and Rosalind Alchin's The Frog Princess as another excellent example of the fractured fairy tale. As a bonus, this slim picture book also contains the features of an adult detective novel: a crime, a number of clues, numerous suspects with motives, and a sleuth who ultimately deduces the perpetrator's identity. The crime in question is the theft of the Queen of Hearts' breakfast tarts, and, because of his previous criminal record, suspicion immediately falls on the Knave of Hearts. To solve the theft, the Queen enlists the assistance of Mother Goose, Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime, who narrates the rest of the book. Mother Goose can immediately eliminate the Knave for he has a solid alibi; he's on holidays in Hawaii; however, the Knave suggests that "Mary Contrary might have some information." As Mother Goose follows up on each individual, that person either suggests yet someone else who may be connected to the crime or Mother Goose simply follows the trail of crumbs which leads to yet another suspect. In addition to the Knave and Mary Contrary, Mother Goose questions Miss Muffet, Bo Diddle, Little Boy Blue, Miss Bo Peep, Patrick "Patty Cake" Buttermore, Peter Peter and Humpty Dumpty before recognizing the true significance of one of the clues which points to the real culprit's identity. Banks even follows one of the "rules" of detective fiction by introducing the thief early in the story while disguising the person's means and motive. As the crime genre demands, the "criminal" is punished but, in this instance, in a manner with which kids will be able to identify.

The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose is the first book from Walrus Books, a new children's imprint from Whitecap Books. Author/illustrator Tim Banks is a graduate of the Savanna College of Art and Design which is located in Savanna, Georgia. The book is cleverly designed. With the exception of the opening pages which set up the plot and the concluding pages which reveal the thief's identity and punishment, the remaining pages, initially marked PRIVATE CONFIDENTIAL TOP SECRET (Don't read past this point!) are the detective's "file folders" relating to the case. Each folder deals with one of the "Usual Suspects" and contains a full-page illustration [photograph] of the "suspect" and Mother Goose's description of her encounter with that person. As well, a page of "file notes" relating to the suspect and "torn" from Detective Goose's notebook is "paper clipped" to every file.

Following the stylistic demands of true detective fiction, Chief Detective Goose is minimally characterized. Referring to suspects as "Toots," she sounds like a hard-nosed gumshoe from one of Mickey Spillane's novels while her staccato questioning style would not be out of place coming from Jack Webb in a black and white episode of the original Dragnet. The suspects are naturally types, but, if readers thought they already knew these characters from traditional literature, they will be seeing them in entirely new ways. For example, Little Miss Muffet is a health food and cleanliness fanatic while Little Boy Blue has abandoned his rural roots to blow horn in Bo Diddle's band.

One of the challenges in reviewing fractured fairy tales is that of identifying the audience as readers' enjoyment of the variant is directly related to their knowledge of the original tales. Consequently, The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose potentially has a very wide audience. While the book obviously belongs in early years collections, it would not be out of place in middle and senior years schools where, in addition to just providing enjoyment, it could be used as a catalyst for creative writing. Though public libraries won't likely purchase a copy for their adult collections, the book should be part of any display of "Picture books for adults."

Edwards, L., & Mandell, P. (2004). The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose! (Book). School Library Journal, 50(5), 112.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 24, 2013).

K-Gr 4-- When the Queen of Hearts discovers her strawberry tarts missing, she calls in Mother Goose, "Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime." The clues include a trail of crumbs, a dish and a spoon, and a hankie with the initials HM. As Mother Goose questions each suspect, a full-page illustration of that individual appears opposite the text, which is printed on a manila-folder background. A handwritten note with humorous details about that particular character appears to be paper clipped to the file. Readers may question the detective's technique as she chases down alleged perpetrators who do not have the correct initials. However, logic aside, the comical rewording of familiar facts will appeal to those who are conversant with nursery rhymes. The vibrant cartoons pop off the pages, and the witty details will have youngsters studying the pictures with interest. Serving as a foil for the boisterous cast of characters, Mother Goose appears almost too charming and sweet to be pitted against this wild and wacky lineup of possible criminals, but that only adds to the comedy. With its retro artwork and imitation of hard-boiled detective speech, this text-heavy mystery is more appropriate for older children, but the story and its solution may be a bit too simplistic to hold their attention. Fans of Jon Scieszka's humor seem the most likely audience for this book's campy art and puns.

Library Use:

This book will be a great asset to any library.  It can be used as part of exhibits for Mother Goose nursery rhymes and the expanded universe.  It can also be used as part of an exhibit for mystery books.