Mary Knapp

This book collects the variety of children's folklore: games, chants, riddles, teases, and songs. Explinations for the many reasons behind children's need for these games, their benefits, and the ways that this folklore is used are examined. Missing was any discussion of children's folklore regarding stories (urban myth, ghost stories, Santa Claus, etc). Occassionally, the books is slow and spends a bit too much time presenting the overheard jokes and stories, but in general, this is a good accounting of American children's folklore. A good companion book would be Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts, which goes into gross-out songs and other aspects of child folklore.… (mehr)