THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY retold by Simms Taback book review

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Taback, Simms, Trans.  1997.  THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY.  New York:  Penguin Books USA Inc. ISBN  0670869392

2.  PLOT SUMMARY                     

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY is a retelling of a folk poem that was introduced to the United States in the 1940’s. As with many other traditional tales, the original author is still unknown. This rhyming story begins with an old lady who, for reasons unknown, swallows a fly. After swallowing the fly, the phrase “perhaps she’ll die” is introduced. Next, she swallows a spider to catch the fly. Once again, the reader hears “perhaps she’ll die”. This pattern continues with the old lady purposely swallowing one animal in hopes of catching the animal previously swallowed, and wondering if she will die. After swallowing a bird, a cat, a dog, a cow and a horse, the story ends with the old lady dying because her stomach has grown extremely large.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story has a remarkable style that will force readers to join in when listening to it read out loud. The repeated phrases such as “perhaps she’ll die” and “I don’t know why” will keep children on their toes eager to hear more. The catchy text, which is displayed as a collage of sentences against the old lady’s dress pattern, helps keep the flow of action in the story running smoothly. Through his vibrant illustrations, Taback gives clues for what it is to come. Newspaper clippings, signs and other artifacts are intricately woven into the illustrations. Before the animals are eaten, they are each seen giving clues and making comments about their own destiny such as the dog saying “I hope it’s a lie”. Simms Taback has strategically included a cut out in the shape of each animal that is being eaten in place of the old lady’s stomach on the appropriate page. This creates a fun visual for the reader to actually see the animals being eaten. Even though the story repeatedly mentions dying, it is done in such a silly manner that the reader will laugh instead of cry.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*Caldecott Honor Book

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review:  “From cover to moral (never swallow a horse), this cleverly illustrated version of an old folk favorite will delight children.”

*KIRKUS REVIEWS:  “It is good fun to watch the old lady bulge and bloat, and the sheer corniness of the verse continues to be deeply gratifying.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Using an old lady doll designed to accompany this book, children can retell the story as they put the various animals into the pouch in her stomach.

*After reading other variations of this tale, through shared writing, students can write a new variation that follows the same type of pattern. Students may choose someone they know such as a teacher or principal and have them swallow items related to their job.

*Other variations of this tale:

Sloat, Teri. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A TROUT. ISBN 0805042946

Colandro, Lucille. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME LEAVES. ISBN 0545241987

Ward, Jennifer.  THERE WAS AN OLD MONKEY WHO SWALLOWED A FROG. ISBN 0761455809