Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories

The Queen is in her chamber. All she wants to eat is cheese supplied each day by Ellen’s dairy. Why won’t the Queen come out? / Little Bo Peep thinks she knows about sheep. She has only to take them to graze. But her sheep give her trouble — they’re off on the double — and it becomes one of those days. / Children must be in bed by eight o’clock and so must Wee Willie Winkie. But why is he late one night and can his mother find him in time?

Monsieur Le Pat-A-Cake is the finest baker in town. When he is asked to bake a cake for the King’s birthday, disaster strikes and he has to ask for help from his assistants. / The land is filled with dread for there’s a giant on the loose who grinds up bones to make his bread. Can he be made a friend? / The King is always working and he never has time to play, until one night he goes to bed and bumps his head.

The Queen of hearts baked some tarts, all on a summer’s day because the King of Clubs is coming — but a knave steals them away! / Nicholas wants a real pony more than anything. Will he win the contest and the pony? / Hickety Pickety is a hen who lays nine eggs and sometimes ten. But when the truth is revealed, the other hens get a boost.

Tommy’s pastime is going fishing in a ditch. But the ditch is owned by Mr. Mean who tries to stop the fishermouse. / When Mother Hubbard goes to fetch her poor dog a bone, the cupboard is bare! Can Sherlock Hubbard track down the thief — or the bone? / The King lets Prince Lilimond rule for a day, but the Chamberlain fears the worst. For the Prince vows to share all the kingdom’s gold with the poor — and the town fills with beggars, some rich and some poor.

It’s the day of the King’s coronation and everyone’s going to town. Young Gilligren sets off with sixpence to make himself rich. But he spends the money and is left with only blackbirds which, by chance, are just what’s needed at the palace. / Jack and Jill go up the hill to fetch a pail of water. But when they tumble down there’s a very large fire-breathing surprise at the bottom. / When a shooting star comes down to Earth, Stella gets her wish — but it doesn’t turn out as she expected.

Mary Mary Quite Contrary tries to grow some flowers, but it isn’t quite as simple as she thinks. For the flowers that she grows prefer to mix, not stand in rows. As they wither, Mary Mary’s heart sinks. / The school rule says “no pets!” But Woolworth the lamb has his own ideas! / No moon in the sky? Why? Gilbert Filbert and Rufus the dog make an amazing discovery and take a night trip to Norwich.

Jackie the scarecrow is employed to scare the crows. But, instead, they come to the farm to hear him sing. / Evelyn the wicked witch is turning all the people in the kingdom into animals and only the man in green — Hector Protector — can save the day. Can he do it in time? / Two bags full is a lot of wool for any sheep to grow. But Baa Baa has a special reason to grow at least one more. Can she do it?

Two little dicky birds sitting on the palace wall would like to become royal dicky birds. Will the Princess have them? / A butcher, a baker and a candlestickmaker set sail to find adventure. But when a storm blows up, they are saved by a rotten potato. / A prince needs a riddle to baffle the King so he can marry his beloved princess. But he can’t think of one until an egg comes along and an idea is hatched.

It’s one hour after midnight and the three mice are still awake. Their mother has left them to go looking for food. The temptation is too great and they go wandering down a hole only to find exploring is not a piece of cake! / The Grand Old Duke marches to the top of the hill only to find his castle has been taken over, But his faithful servant Youngblood has a plan. / Little Bobby tries to write a song that tells a story, but he’s stuck on the first line: “Hey Diddle Diddle.” Then his cat inspires a crazy tale, but only after getting caught up in a fiddle.

Old King Cole was a merry old soul before he wore a crown. Then a touch of luck made him King and happiness ruled the land. / Eenie, Meenie, Minie and Khan the tiger are all in Mr. Mo’s circus. When Khan runs away, he’s soon caught and invited to come back to the circus. / Tom has a little nut tree but nothing will it bear until it grows a silver nutmeg and a golden pear. He doesn’t want to part with it, but what else can he do, when the King of Spain’s daughter wants the little nut tree too.

When Eensy Weensy Spider is washed down the water spout, he’s washed right down the drain and into the long-lost cavern where two explorers are trapped. Can he climb back up to save them all? / Jack is working in the forest when he hears some urgent cries. It’s a traveller who has fallen in a bog. Is it too late for Jack to rescue him or can he save the day and earn himself one of his grandmother’s Christmas pies? / Boy Blue is asleep while he should be at work. When the Squire comes round, he’s angry for the sheep are in the meadow and the cow is in the corn. But there’s a good reason why Boy Blue can’t stay awake.

Miss Muffet was rich. She had maids to do this, she had maids to do that, and a nurse called Nurse Holloweg. But when they wouldn’t let her do what she wanted, she ran off but got such a fright, it made her run right back again. / Who will win the pot of gold by jumping over the Great Candle of the Glimmers? Many try, but can Jack B. Nimble succeed where others have failed? / Peter’s passion for his pumpkin patch poses problems for his wife until their son provides the answer — they can grow themselves a house!