Over the Hills and Far Away

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 21, 2015

Review

This book is amazing. There are so many nursery rhyme books in print and the question has to be asked, "why one more?" This book answers that question: "Diversity!" Over the Hills contains a wealth of rhymes from many, many traditions and cultures and these rhymes have been paired with illuminating, thought-provoking, beautiful illustrations from over 70 artists working today. There are rhymes from Britain and America, as well as rhymes from African American, Chinese American, and Native American traditions, and the Caribbean and Jamaica, and the First people of Australia and New Zealand. Hammill does her research and compiles an interesting array of rhymes and she does it in the name of love; love for nursery rhymes and language. And her arrangement is lovely - the page with all of the "Little Miss Muffets" is wonderful as is the pairing of the rain rhymes; and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" & the "Duke of York"; the page with "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" rhymes, all so carefully thought out. The illustrations can be pored over as most truly enhance the reading experience. Do make sure to read the pages out loud before using the book as a read-aloud because in many cases Hammill keeps the regional spelling of the land of origin. This is a lovely book to sit and read with a child because then the illustrations can be discussed, the language can be figured out together, and any cursive fonts can be discerned. Highly recommend this for any library with a nursery rhymes/folklore collection or any collection that explores the intersection of art and language.

Overall Book Score: excellent