I had a book of poems when I was a child........and in it was a poem about a little girl learning her multiplication tables. She could not remember 9x6. Her favorite doll's name was Mary Ann. So she decided to call the doll 54 over and over until she could remember 9x6. When called on in class.....what's 9x6 she answered Mary Ann!

Someone please help me find the poem......

A Mortifying Mistake
Anna Maria Pratt
from Little Rhymes for Little People

I studied my tables over and over
And backward and forward too
But I couldn't remember six times nine
And I didn't know what to do
'Til my sister told me to play with my doll
And not to bother my head
"If you call her 'Fifty-four' for awhile
You'll learn it by heart', she said.

So I took my favorite, Mary Anne,
Though I thought 'twas a dreadful shame
To give such a perfectly lovely child
Such a perfectly horrible name,
And I called her my little Fifty-four
A hundred times 'til I knew
The answer of six times nine
As well as the answer of two times two.

Next day, Elizabeth Wigglesworth,
Who always acted so proud
Said, "Six times nine is fifty-two,
And I nearly laughed out loud
But I wished I hadn't when teacher said,
"Now Dorothy, tell if you can."
For I thought of my doll and sakes alive!
I answered, "Mary Anne!"
...
Born in Chelsea, MA, Pratt was a teacher for several years in Cleveland, Ohio. Her focus was on children's literature, and she published Little Rhymes for Little People in 1896.

Love it! Each class in our school performs a poem on National Poetry Day (October 7th, I think) and my wee girls will be fantastic with this one! Thank you!

Thank you so much!!!!