Charles Ghigna
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Brief Biography
Charles Ghigna, affectionately known as “Father Goose,” is a beloved author of children’s books and poetry who has made Alabama his creative home. Originally from Bayside, New York, Ghigna moved to Fort Myers, Florida, as a child, where his passion for poetry was nurtured by a high school teacher who encouraged him to keep a writing journal. He earned both his bachelor’s (1967) and master’s (1970) degrees in education from Florida Atlantic University and began his teaching career in Fort Myers.
In 1974, Ghigna relocated to Birmingham, Alabama—a move that would shape the rest of his literary life. He taught creative writing and served as poet-in-residence at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, becoming a fixture in the state’s cultural and educational landscape. From his attic office in Homewood, a cozy space he fondly calls his “treehouse,” Ghigna has written hundreds of children’s books and poems that have delighted readers across the country. His engaging school visits and lively readings have earned him the nickname “Father Goose,” and his work continues to reflect the warmth and imagination rooted in his Alabama home.
Publications
Plastic Tears. Philadelphia; Dorrance, 1973.
Stables; the Story of Christmas; Poems and Prints. Birmingham, Ala.; Creekwood Press, 1975.
Cockroach: A One-Act Play. Chicago; Contemporary Drama Service, 1977.
Divers and Other Poems. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1978.
Circus Poems. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1979.
Returning to Earth. Alabama; Livingston University Press, 1989.
Father Songs. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1989.
Good Dogs, Bad Dogs. Westport, CT; Hyperion, 1992.
Good Cats, Bad Cats. New York; Hyperion, 1992.
Wings of Fire. New York; Druid, 1992.
Best of 'Snickers,' Best of Times. Birmingham; Best of Times, 1994.
Speaking in Tongues: New and Selected Poems, 1974-1994. Alabama; Livingston University Press, 1994.
Tickle Day: Poems from Father Goose. New York; Hyperion, 1994.
The Day I Spent the Night in the Shelby County Jail. Alabama; Best of Times, 1994.
Riddle Rhymes. New York; Hyperion, 1995.
Animal Trunk: Silly Poems to Read Aloud. New York; Abrams, 1999.
Love Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Crane Hill Publishers, 1999.
Mice are Nice. New York; Random House, 1999.
Plastic Soup: Dream Poems.Montgomery, Ala.; Black Belt, 1999.
See the Yak-Yak.New York; Random House, 1999.
Christmas Is Coming. Watertown, Mass.; Charlesbridge, 2000.
Haiku: The Travelers of Eternity. Montgomery, Ala.; River City Press, 2001.
One Hundred Shoes. New York; Random House, 2002.
The Alphabet Parade. Montgomery, Ala.; River City Press, 2002.
A Fury of Motion: Poems For Boys. New York; Boyds Mills Press, 2003.
Halloween Night: Twenty-One Spooktacular Poems. Philadelphia, Penn.; Running Press, 2003.
Animal Tracks: Wild Poems to Read Aloud. New York; Abrams, 2004.
Dylan the Smokey Dragon. Jackson, Miss.; Maris, West & Baker, 2005.
Halloween Night. New York; Scholastic, 2005.
If You Were My Valentine. New York; Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Love Poems: Mini Edition. Springville, Utah; Sweet Water Press, 2005.
Oh My, Pumpkin Pie! New York; Random House, 2005.
Greatest Hits: Poems 1974-2005. Ohio; Pudding House, 2006.
Halloween Night: Mini Edition. Philadelphia, Penn.; Running Press, 2006.
Love Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Crane Hill Publishers, 2007.
Score! 50 Poems to Motivate and Inspire. New York; Abrams, 2008.
Snow Wonder. New York; Random House, 2008.
Barn Storm. New York; Random House, 2010.
Halloween Mice. uTales, 2011.
I See Winter. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Fall. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Summer. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
Can You Keep a Silly Secret. Indianapolis, Ind.; U.S. Kids, 2012.
Little Seeds. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Pick Up the Park: My Little Planet. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Recycling Is Fun: My Little Planet. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
The Magic Behind the Screen. Birmingham, Ala.; PBS/APT, 2012.
We Need Water. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Numbers In the Park. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
Shapes Are Everywhere. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
The Wonders of The Color Wheel. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
A Carnival of Cats. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2015.
Adeline Porcupine. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
A Windy Day in Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Bobby Bear. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Cuddle Bunny. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Hail To Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Lucy Goose. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Raindrops Fall All Around. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Sunshine Brightens Springtime. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
A Parade of Puppies. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2016.
Kitty Goes. Chicago, Ill.; Cricket Books, 2016.
Strange, Unusual, Gross & Cool Animals: Animal Planet. New York; Time Inc., 2016.
Addition. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Count By 10 to 100. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Dial 9-1-1: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Even Numbers. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
First Times. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2017.
Get Out, Stay Out: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Bee, Little Bee. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Cow, Little Cow. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Lion, Little Lion. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Puppy, Little Puppy. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Seal, Little Seal. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Squirrel, Little Squirrel. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Making 10. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Odd Numbers. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Plan and Prepare: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Stop Drop and Roll! Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Subtraction. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Alabama: My Home Sweet Home. Atlanta, Ga.; Whitman, 2018.
The Night the Forest Came To Town. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2018.
Who Can? Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2018.
Dear Poet: Notes To a Young Writer. Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2019.
Illusions: Poetry & Art for The Young At Heart. Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2019.
Stones: The Collected Short Poems of Charles Ghigna. Pennsylvania; Canopic, 2019.
Once Upon Another Time. Minneapolis, Minn.; Beaming Books, 2020.
A Poem Is a Firefly. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2021.
Artwords: Artists & Poets: Portraits In Verse Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2021.
Love Is Everything. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2021.
The Truth About Trees. Mobile, Ala.; Negative Capability Press, 2021.
Fetch Cat Fetch. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2022.
Little Hearts. New York; Red Comet Press, 2022.
The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry For Children. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2023.
Bound To Dream: An Immigrant Story. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2024.
The Magic Box: A Book of Opposites. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2024.
Southern Bred: A Memoir of Poems. Chicago, Ill.; Central Avenue Publishing, 2025.
Sweet Dreams: Moon Poems. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2025.
Kids Love Coins: Introduction to Coin Collecting. Florence, Ala: Whitman, 2025.
Puns Not Guns: Humor. Livingston, Ala: Livingston Press, 2025.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Poems. New York; Random House, 2026.
The Lost Book of Life: New & Selected Poems. Tuscaloosa, Ala; The University of Alabama Press, 2026.
Finding the Light. Georgetown, KY; Finishing Line Press, 2026
Stables; the Story of Christmas; Poems and Prints. Birmingham, Ala.; Creekwood Press, 1975.
Cockroach: A One-Act Play. Chicago; Contemporary Drama Service, 1977.
Divers and Other Poems. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1978.
Circus Poems. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1979.
Returning to Earth. Alabama; Livingston University Press, 1989.
Father Songs. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1989.
Good Dogs, Bad Dogs. Westport, CT; Hyperion, 1992.
Good Cats, Bad Cats. New York; Hyperion, 1992.
Wings of Fire. New York; Druid, 1992.
Best of 'Snickers,' Best of Times. Birmingham; Best of Times, 1994.
Speaking in Tongues: New and Selected Poems, 1974-1994. Alabama; Livingston University Press, 1994.
Tickle Day: Poems from Father Goose. New York; Hyperion, 1994.
The Day I Spent the Night in the Shelby County Jail. Alabama; Best of Times, 1994.
Riddle Rhymes. New York; Hyperion, 1995.
Animal Trunk: Silly Poems to Read Aloud. New York; Abrams, 1999.
Love Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Crane Hill Publishers, 1999.
Mice are Nice. New York; Random House, 1999.
Plastic Soup: Dream Poems.Montgomery, Ala.; Black Belt, 1999.
See the Yak-Yak.New York; Random House, 1999.
Christmas Is Coming. Watertown, Mass.; Charlesbridge, 2000.
Haiku: The Travelers of Eternity. Montgomery, Ala.; River City Press, 2001.
One Hundred Shoes. New York; Random House, 2002.
The Alphabet Parade. Montgomery, Ala.; River City Press, 2002.
A Fury of Motion: Poems For Boys. New York; Boyds Mills Press, 2003.
Halloween Night: Twenty-One Spooktacular Poems. Philadelphia, Penn.; Running Press, 2003.
Animal Tracks: Wild Poems to Read Aloud. New York; Abrams, 2004.
Dylan the Smokey Dragon. Jackson, Miss.; Maris, West & Baker, 2005.
Halloween Night. New York; Scholastic, 2005.
If You Were My Valentine. New York; Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Love Poems: Mini Edition. Springville, Utah; Sweet Water Press, 2005.
Oh My, Pumpkin Pie! New York; Random House, 2005.
Greatest Hits: Poems 1974-2005. Ohio; Pudding House, 2006.
Halloween Night: Mini Edition. Philadelphia, Penn.; Running Press, 2006.
Love Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Crane Hill Publishers, 2007.
Score! 50 Poems to Motivate and Inspire. New York; Abrams, 2008.
Snow Wonder. New York; Random House, 2008.
Barn Storm. New York; Random House, 2010.
Halloween Mice. uTales, 2011.
I See Winter. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Fall. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Summer. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
Can You Keep a Silly Secret. Indianapolis, Ind.; U.S. Kids, 2012.
Little Seeds. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Pick Up the Park: My Little Planet. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Recycling Is Fun: My Little Planet. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
The Magic Behind the Screen. Birmingham, Ala.; PBS/APT, 2012.
We Need Water. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Numbers In the Park. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
Shapes Are Everywhere. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
The Wonders of The Color Wheel. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
A Carnival of Cats. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2015.
Adeline Porcupine. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
A Windy Day in Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Bobby Bear. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Cuddle Bunny. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Hail To Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Lucy Goose. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Raindrops Fall All Around. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Sunshine Brightens Springtime. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
A Parade of Puppies. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2016.
Kitty Goes. Chicago, Ill.; Cricket Books, 2016.
Strange, Unusual, Gross & Cool Animals: Animal Planet. New York; Time Inc., 2016.
Addition. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Count By 10 to 100. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Dial 9-1-1: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Even Numbers. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
First Times. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2017.
Get Out, Stay Out: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Bee, Little Bee. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Cow, Little Cow. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Lion, Little Lion. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Puppy, Little Puppy. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Seal, Little Seal. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Squirrel, Little Squirrel. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Making 10. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Odd Numbers. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Plan and Prepare: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Stop Drop and Roll! Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Subtraction. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Alabama: My Home Sweet Home. Atlanta, Ga.; Whitman, 2018.
The Night the Forest Came To Town. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2018.
Who Can? Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2018.
Dear Poet: Notes To a Young Writer. Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2019.
Illusions: Poetry & Art for The Young At Heart. Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2019.
Stones: The Collected Short Poems of Charles Ghigna. Pennsylvania; Canopic, 2019.
Once Upon Another Time. Minneapolis, Minn.; Beaming Books, 2020.
A Poem Is a Firefly. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2021.
Artwords: Artists & Poets: Portraits In Verse Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2021.
Love Is Everything. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2021.
The Truth About Trees. Mobile, Ala.; Negative Capability Press, 2021.
Fetch Cat Fetch. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2022.
Little Hearts. New York; Red Comet Press, 2022.
The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry For Children. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2023.
Bound To Dream: An Immigrant Story. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2024.
The Magic Box: A Book of Opposites. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2024.
Southern Bred: A Memoir of Poems. Chicago, Ill.; Central Avenue Publishing, 2025.
Sweet Dreams: Moon Poems. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2025.
Kids Love Coins: Introduction to Coin Collecting. Florence, Ala: Whitman, 2025.
Puns Not Guns: Humor. Livingston, Ala: Livingston Press, 2025.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Poems. New York; Random House, 2026.
The Lost Book of Life: New & Selected Poems. Tuscaloosa, Ala; The University of Alabama Press, 2026.
Finding the Light. Georgetown, KY; Finishing Line Press, 2026
Themes
Charles Ghigna (a.k.a. "Father Goose") is a poet best known for his work in children's literature. He writes poems and books for children of all ages covering a wide range of topics that include nature, humor, school, and more. He also writes poetry for adults.
Publisher
Alabama Authors of the 19th and 20th Centuries, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, http://alabamaauthors.org
Collection
Citation
Ghigna, Charles, “Charles Ghigna,” Alabama Authors of the 19th & 20th Centuries, accessed November 8, 2026, https://www.alabamaauthors.org/items/show/585.