A renaissance of perennial Nursery Rhymes is how best ‘The New World of Mother Goose’- a complete book of Nursery Rhymes (spanning 331 pages), can be best described. Compiled, edited and written by famed journalist Elmo Leonard, and beautifully illustrated by the talented Dilip Sasruta Samarasinghe, the book was launched by The British Council in Colombo on 11th February 2026.
Elmo Leonard, a veteran journalist and business editor during the 1990s is also a Fulbright scholar in creative writing and poetry, he was a key figure during the golden era of Sri Lankan print media. At the launch of Leonard’s book, which was attended by special invitees and members of the media, he thanked Mr.Orlando Edwards, the Country Director, British Council, Sri Lanka for his immense support: ‘Thank you for your presence distinguished persons, library members, cherished others and valued colleagues of the media. Nursery Rhymes are the cradle of English and in the 16th Century began appearing in English plays, and consequently spread through the Commonwealth. Child jingles are also part of European cultures and its cross fertilization is encapsulated in the blueprint of these nursery rhymes. Mother Goose first appeared in English subsequent to the 18th Century French translation of Charles Perrault’s tales. These timeless rhymes continue to charm, teach, and captivate young minds and also the young at heart across the world. This fresh collection brings wit, warmth and a touch of naughtiness to a beloved tradition. It is an attempt to re-imagine Mother Goose for today’s world, crafting verses that delight children and the young at heart – whether English is your native or second language.’
Although the ‘The New World of Mother Goose’ is deeply rooted in European folklore, its spirit is modern, playful and universal. Leonard credits an early edition of The Oxford Book of Nursery Rhymes as his primary source to which he adds, edits, and arranges them into 27 chapters as follows : Mother Goose Land; The Moon; Bambino; Children; Rhymes and Games; Counting out a Catcher; Sun and Rain; English Weather; Home sweet Home; Country Life; Pretty Maids; Pretty Maids; People so Rare; Pussy Cat; Animals; Old Women; Birds; Grandeur; Lead Kindly Light; Kings and Queens of England and Beyond and Christmas.
The artist, Dilip Samarasinghe; also an academic, gave his insights on the book: ‘Elmo’s rhymes are witty, funny, sometimes even cheeky, and always full of heart. It’s been a joy to bring these characters to life. I trust you delight in this book as much as we did in creating it.’ The outer cover that was beautifully illustrated by Samarasinghe, depicts the central character Mother Goose flying over the legendary London landmark, Big Ben:‘from which land nursery rhymes sailed the oceans blue’. As the author Elmo Leonard states : ‘Come, step inside and discover a world where old tales take flight in fresh unforgettable ways. A gift fit for the King of England.’‘The New World of Mother Goose’ will soon be available at leading bookstores.
By NELUM BUDDHADASA
