Mother Goose Day

 Today is National Mother Goose Day. 

This day on May 1, was founded by Gloria T. Delamar in 1987. It honors the imaginary author of a collection of fairy tales and nursery rhymes we loved as children. A fundamental role played by Mother Goose and fairy tales is as the first introduction to reading for young people everywhere. In 1987 it was determined that fairy tales were so essential to our reading development, that a day needed to be established to bring awareness to, and encourage the use of, reading in preschool environments through stories and nursery rhymes.

National Mother Goose Day reminds us of the magic these tales have, and the lessons they’ve taught us.

Mother Goose’s book of poems was published in 1781. The book has since been enjoyed by billions of children (and adults) around the world. 

Grimm fairy tales, which were published during the 19th century, have now become quite famous worldwide. Thanks to Disney, the Grimm fairy tales have become more child-friendly but, originally, they were gruesome in their details. For example, in the original version of “Snow White,” her stepmother died after being cursed to dance in glass heels forever.

When thinking of Mother Goose some of us are swept back to memories of our childhood. From Humpty Dumpty’s clumsy fall 

and the Three Little Pigs’ scramble for houses

 to Pinnochio’s elongated nose, 

fairy tales and nursery rhymes endlessly entertained us as kids while providing us with important life lessons. 

Children today are introduced to fairy tales by watching Disney movies but aren’t exposed to many of the nursery rhymes. I think we as grandparents might do well to sneak in some of these stories and rhymes when we can. There's a lot to enjoy in them outside of phone and TV screens.