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There Was an Old Lady
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover!
There was an Old Lady who swallowed things over and over, and now she's come back to swallow a clover!
She's back! That lovely old lady has returned just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Now she's swallowing items to make the perfect rainbow to hide a pot of gold.
She's back! That lovely old lady has returned just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Now she's swallowing items to make the perfect rainbow to hide a pot of gold.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
June 19, 2019
I think this book was a stretch. Don’t know why she swallowed a clover but she didn’t roll over.!? What does that even mean? I mean I understand rhyming but just making up stuff to rhyme? This was a rush job book.
Leila: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: because she swallowed everything that she wanted to swallowed. (And?) I like it
Leila: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: because she swallowed everything that she wanted to swallowed. (And?) I like it
March 22, 2025
This series is always full of silly, absurd rhymes. While this one wasn't quite as good as the others I have read, it was still a very fun read and had a St. Patrick's theme.
June 12, 2026
Literally couldn’t imagine how anyone could give this more than two stars.
March 17, 2017
One of the few St. Patrick's Day themed picture books that can be easily used in storytime.
March 15, 2024
This popular series a a favorite with little children. The concept of the old ladys wallowing all these things strikes most kids funny. children also love all the repetition. They are great for participation.
I am definitely in the minority here. But I did not like this book at all. My biggest problem is that it is a rhyming book that has rhymes but no rhythm. The meter is all wrong and the phrases don't flow. Kids will want to sing along to the tune of the original song, and some of the lines do not fit. I know this is a nonsense book, but "she swallowed a clover, she didn't roll over"... that makes no sense at all, it just seems to be there to make the rhyme. My last issue is just the concept. I may be accused of being a little to picky. But She overeats until she vomits. Do we really want to sing about bulimia with preschoolers? I have enjoyed other there was an old lady books. I overlooked this issue in other books where the rhymes made more sense and the rhythm fit the pattern. But this particular book is a big NO.
I am definitely in the minority here. But I did not like this book at all. My biggest problem is that it is a rhyming book that has rhymes but no rhythm. The meter is all wrong and the phrases don't flow. Kids will want to sing along to the tune of the original song, and some of the lines do not fit. I know this is a nonsense book, but "she swallowed a clover, she didn't roll over"... that makes no sense at all, it just seems to be there to make the rhyme. My last issue is just the concept. I may be accused of being a little to picky. But She overeats until she vomits. Do we really want to sing about bulimia with preschoolers? I have enjoyed other there was an old lady books. I overlooked this issue in other books where the rhymes made more sense and the rhythm fit the pattern. But this particular book is a big NO.
March 18, 2026
There Was an Old Lady series holds a soft place in my heart, but this particular addition to the series fell short compared to some of the others in the series.
As usual, our silly old lady swallow random items, each building up to a "big reveal" at the end. There are times when the items make sense together, but there are other times where it's not as obvious or clear. This is one of the times where only a few items make sense to the overall big moment of the book. Honestly, the story ended up being a let down when it didn't all much up with what happened at the end. While it isn't necessary overall, it makes for a better story when it does.
It's still an alright story; the rhyme scheme keeps things interesting, as does the illustrations. There is a definite St. Patrick's Day theme here, but a few points do miss the mark without a little more backstory. I think littles will still like the story, but I think it could've benefited with a little more connectivity to the items the old lady swallowed.
As usual, our silly old lady swallow random items, each building up to a "big reveal" at the end. There are times when the items make sense together, but there are other times where it's not as obvious or clear. This is one of the times where only a few items make sense to the overall big moment of the book. Honestly, the story ended up being a let down when it didn't all much up with what happened at the end. While it isn't necessary overall, it makes for a better story when it does.
It's still an alright story; the rhyme scheme keeps things interesting, as does the illustrations. There is a definite St. Patrick's Day theme here, but a few points do miss the mark without a little more backstory. I think littles will still like the story, but I think it could've benefited with a little more connectivity to the items the old lady swallowed.
March 10, 2020
This fun series is very popular in my school library! In this St. Patrick’s Day themes volume, the old lady gulps down several seasonal items, each increasingly more unbelievable than the last! The culmination arrives as she is dancing with a leprechaun. The old lady laughs so hard, she spits out a rainbow of all the items she swallowed, allowing the leprechaun to grab the clover.
This is a great story for a sing along storytime. Even if you don’t sing, it, the repetitive rhythm and rhyme make for a fun class participation read aloud. Jared Lee’s illustrations give the reader/listener a lot to notice as they view the story from several angles. You and your students will giggle together – don’t miss this one for March!
This is a great story for a sing along storytime. Even if you don’t sing, it, the repetitive rhythm and rhyme make for a fun class participation read aloud. Jared Lee’s illustrations give the reader/listener a lot to notice as they view the story from several angles. You and your students will giggle together – don’t miss this one for March!
December 3, 2020
The old lady swallowed a clover, butterfly, bird, pot, gold, and finally a fiddle. Each time she swallowed something new it was to give something she swallowed earlier something to do. A leprachon joins the fun at the end as well.
This book is cute. I liked the rhymes and the illustrations were okay. It's very repetitive, but I think it fits. It's a cute St. Patrick's day book, and would be good for a quick read.
I don't think I would have this in my personal classroom library, but I might pull it out for some fun St. Patrick's day lesson. It would be a quick read for my class, and probably something for fun rather than learning.
This book is cute. I liked the rhymes and the illustrations were okay. It's very repetitive, but I think it fits. It's a cute St. Patrick's day book, and would be good for a quick read.
I don't think I would have this in my personal classroom library, but I might pull it out for some fun St. Patrick's day lesson. It would be a quick read for my class, and probably something for fun rather than learning.
March 9, 2018
Summary:
This book is about an old lady who swallowed a clover. After she swallowed a clover, she swallowed a daisy, then a butterfly, then a bird, then a pot, then some gold, and lastly a fiddle. After she swallowed the fiddle, everything came out of her and a rainbow was formed. Then a cute little leprechaun joined her, and they started dancing together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Possible Topics:
1. Great for celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
2. Idea of a pot of gold and rainbow.
3. Repetition/pattern, as the lady swallows all the different things.
This book is about an old lady who swallowed a clover. After she swallowed a clover, she swallowed a daisy, then a butterfly, then a bird, then a pot, then some gold, and lastly a fiddle. After she swallowed the fiddle, everything came out of her and a rainbow was formed. Then a cute little leprechaun joined her, and they started dancing together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Possible Topics:
1. Great for celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
2. Idea of a pot of gold and rainbow.
3. Repetition/pattern, as the lady swallows all the different things.
April 15, 2021
Genre: traditional literature
Grade Level: K-2nd
This book is such a fun play on the story of the old lady who swallowed a fly. This book is super fun for saint Patrick’s day and was really funny to students who were familiar with the old lady who swallowed a fly book. These illustrations are super silly and engaging for students. This book would be great to work on sequencing and cause and effect.
Grade Level: K-2nd
This book is such a fun play on the story of the old lady who swallowed a fly. This book is super fun for saint Patrick’s day and was really funny to students who were familiar with the old lady who swallowed a fly book. These illustrations are super silly and engaging for students. This book would be great to work on sequencing and cause and effect.
May 26, 2020
Another cute version of the basic story. This time the lady keeps swallowing things related to St. Patrick's Day to make a surprise later on. There is always a nice twist at the end of this series. Whimsical and colorful illustrations will keep kids laughing. A great read-aloud book for younger children. Highly recommended for Grades K-2.
June 15, 2020
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level: Early Primary/Primary (K-3)
This is a book from the "There was an Old Lady" series. There are approximately 11 other books! I think this would be a great one, of course, for St. Patricks Day but the series would be great to use for a creative writing project--what else can the little old lady swallow?
Grade Level: Early Primary/Primary (K-3)
This is a book from the "There was an Old Lady" series. There are approximately 11 other books! I think this would be a great one, of course, for St. Patricks Day but the series would be great to use for a creative writing project--what else can the little old lady swallow?
March 17, 2026
We read this for our Lucky Day story time. I'll be honest, these are not my favorite type of books. The kids seemed to find it pretty funny though, so I think it was a good choice. It follows the formula...the lady swallows weirder and weirder things and in the end, she belches a rainbow for St. Patrick's Day. I could take it or leave it, but it got some laughs!
February 27, 2019
I love this series of books and the kids do too!
Based on the traditional story- these follow the same pattern with a new theme
Introduces concepts of themes and encourages children to compare the authors previous work
Lovely illustrations as well
Recommended
Based on the traditional story- these follow the same pattern with a new theme
Introduces concepts of themes and encourages children to compare the authors previous work
Lovely illustrations as well
Recommended
April 2, 2019
Why would the old lady swallow a clover, a daisy, a butterfly, a bird, a pot, some gold. and a fiddle and then decide to dance until she popped out a rainbow? This book will reveal the reason in the end.
March 5, 2021
My 5yo loved it
She says: "I want to send it to everybody in the whole entire world but not the aliens or the bad guys."
Her favorite part was"when she swallowed all those things and she made a rainbow."
She says: "I want to send it to everybody in the whole entire world but not the aliens or the bad guys."
Her favorite part was"when she swallowed all those things and she made a rainbow."
March 8, 2021
Got this book in time for St. Patrick’s Day. I gave it two stars because usually at the end all the things the old lady swallows turns into something, but in this one her mouth vomits a rainbow and no items were used to make the rainbow.
March 7, 2024
I love this series.
It is cute and it rhymes and it makes children smile and there is always a dog hanging out in the story. The story line doesn't always make sense but we are dealing with children who don't always make sense and they understand the fun of it.
It is cute and it rhymes and it makes children smile and there is always a dog hanging out in the story. The story line doesn't always make sense but we are dealing with children who don't always make sense and they understand the fun of it.
April 21, 2024
An old lady swallowed a clover, daisy, butterfly, bird, pot, gold, and fiddle. This is a good story to read to your students on or before St. Patricks day, you can even do a fun engaging lesson plan.
April 12, 2018
GRL: L
DRA: 20
DRA: 20
March 6, 2018
The pictures come out to small
I like the book but I don't know how to change the format so that the pictures are large enough so my kids can see
I like the book but I don't know how to change the format so that the pictures are large enough so my kids can see
March 16, 2018
The illustrations are fun and full of color. However the rhymes are not so smooth, and the rhythm is a little awkward.
April 15, 2018
St Patrick's day theme. Not as good as other ones, but still fun.
May 22, 2018
The St. Patrick's Day version.
March 1, 2019
Genre: Fiction
A fun Irish spin on the classical story of The old Lady who swallowed a fly
Grades:1st 2nd,
A fun Irish spin on the classical story of The old Lady who swallowed a fly
Grades:1st 2nd,
March 4, 2019
This is a fricken good one. She swallows some good stuff in this one.
March 11, 2019
Practically jibberish.
November 26, 2019
A fun rhyming book for March to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The old lady swallowed a Clover and other spring treats.
August 17, 2020
The ending was cute but the rhyming was a bit of a stretch.
September 30, 2020
For: nonsense/St. Patrick's Day fans; readers looking for a book that builds off of itself.
Possible red flags: silliness; gluttony.
Possible red flags: silliness; gluttony.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews