There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books!

Children's Literature - Natalie Gurr

The old lady is back and swallowing a crazy mix of school items. She begins by gobbling some books which must be written in with some pens. Pens need pencil cases to keep them straight. Rulers, folders, and other assorted school items quickly follow. The school bus pulls up and as the old lady cheers, a surprise pops out that is perfect for the first day of school. In the tradition of all books in the old lady series, some of the rhymes are a stretch, but children will appreciate the nonsense. They will find it humorous to watch the old lady swallow a number of strange objects and enjoy trying to guess what will pop out at the end. Lee uses his signature drawings to bring the story to life. Fans of the series will admire the quirky rhymes and pictures. It is a fun back-to-school book that teachers will appreciate reading to their classes.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—Colandro's kooky version of the classic rhyme begins, "There was an old lady who swallowed some books… but she didn't get any looks." The old lady proceeds to gobble a desk load of school supplies including a pen, pencil case, ruler, folder, chalk, and tote bag. When a big yellow bus rounds the corner, she gives a cheer and out pops a "brand-new backpack." Lee's comical cartoon illustrations have lots of energy as the woman kicks up her heels and tosses her next gastronomical delight into her wide-open mouth. While some of the rhymes are awkward to read aloud ("There was an old lady who swallowed a pencil case./Without leaving a trace, she swallowed that pencil case"), this picture book has appeal as a back-to-school selection.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada