Previously

Although previously published in 2007, Previously by Allan Ahlberg was released by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2011 in Paperback edition.

Previously takes a unique look at history and the traditional nursery rhyme characters.  Starting with Goldilocks, the text shows readers how previously she had run into Jack who climbed the beanstalk and how nursery rhyme character after nursery rhyme character had been in each others' pasts until the story makes a full circle back to Goldilocks again.  Previously interweaves the tales of Goldilocks, Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack and Jill, The Frog Prince, Cinderella, and The Gingerbread Boy to illustrate how the people and places that make up history are all related and dependent upon one another. Bruce Ingman's painted illustrations blend the various nursery rhymes together while throwing in a bit of humor.

Previously has an updated twist to some of the old nursery rhymes as well, including Prince Charming's ride to the ball in a "milk-white Mercedes" and Jack and Jill's breakfast spent "arguing over the free gift in the cornflakes box."

I am choosing to give this book four stars out of five because the ending does seem to be a bit of a stretch for me.  However, overall, Previously is a great teaching tool and a cute tale-told-backwards.