Margo's Musings: An Old Dragon Swallowed a WHAT??

“There was an old dragon who swallowed a knight. I don't know why he swallowed the knight. It's not polite!”
As soon as we got to the library my little sister, Margo, saw the bright red dragon on the cover of a book and pointed. She was very excited to start reading. She thinks dragons are cute!
There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight by Penny Parker Klostermann is told in the same style as the classic story There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. In this book however, there is a dragon that does the swallowing. He takes in all kinds of items and people that one might find near a castle. But- Margo’s favorite part is what happens when the dragon realizes that he may have eaten too much. I am surprised you couldn’t hear her cracking up at your house. The repetitive lines and rhythm make this a story that can be read over and over. There are lots of opportunities for everyone reading the story to participate. Will the dragon suffer the same fate as the old lady who swallowed the fly? Or will he live to swallow another knight?


The illustrations are vibrant, and the pictures really draw the reader in. Because the lines repeat, Margo couldn’t wait for her part, which was, “It’s not polite.” She’s been going around everywhere saying the phrase, and it does sound funny coming from a two year old, especially when it’s the reply to something she wants and has been told “no” about.  This would be a fun story for kids and adults to read together and I know we will read it at least a few more times before we return it to the Ashpot Library!

Has anyone else read There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight? Or have you read another book by Penny Parker Klostermann? 

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!
~F
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED