Cats, Kittens, Dogs, Puppies (with some mice thrown in!)

So many little creatures scurry in and out of nursery rhymes. Cats – most often termed “pussies” - were of course every present in rural England. Even today no farm yard is without a trusty cat to keep the mouse population in check. Cats are depicted has hunters of mice here but also as victims of heinous crimes at the hands of certain naught boys named Tommy Stout! A little dog goes missing in the song Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone and mice are up to plenty of mischief in Three Blind Mice.

Many of the songs in this bundle have a narrative character, which lends them to being acted out, once the children have learnt the songs well enough. There is a clapping game (I Had a Little Dog and His Name Was Bluebell) which is spoken rhythmically. Well known classics such as Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat Where Have You Been? And Hey Diddle Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle are also included here.