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There Was an Old Lady Who Gobbled a Skink

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There was an old lady who gobbled a skink. And a worm and a pail and a line and an oar and much more in this hilarious book about a crazy fisherwoman who swallows all the essentials for a successful fishing trip. With the ever looming threat of “perhaps she’ll sink,” readers will hold their breath in anticipation as she gobbles her way through the tackle box and then the boat! With an already impressively full stomach, she reaches for just one last bite . . . but to find out how the story ends, you have to read the book!

A wonderfully humorous take on a classic nursery rhyme by Tamera Will Wissinger, accompanied by Ana Bermejo’s fun-filled illustrations, this story will delight children, adults, and all those who like fishing. It’s perfect for reading aloud and sure to be read (and perhaps even sung) again and again.

Intended for preschool-aged children, this silly story is sure to be a fun read-aloud both at home or at school/daycare. It's also the ideal gift for kids whose parents or grandparents love to fish or to explore the outdoors and might even inspire a few to try fishing at some point (hopefully without gobbling any of the tackle!).

Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

36 pages, Hardcover

First published February 2, 2016

4 people are currently reading
229 people want to read

About the author

Tamera Will Wissinger

10 books22 followers
Tamera Wissinger writes stories and poetry for children. Her book Gone Fishing: A Novel In Verse, HMH, is an ALSC 2014 Notable Children's Book, a Children's Book Committee 2014 Best Children's Book of the Year, and an International Reading Association 2014 Teachers Choice Book. This Old Band, a counting concept book from Sky Pony Press is a 2015 Read to the Rhythm selection, and a 2014 Southwestern Book of the Year for Kids. Tamera is a graduate of Hamline University’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. Her second picture book, THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO GOBBLED A SKINK, released in 2016. Gone Camping: A Novel in Verse from HMH Children's is a 2017 New York Public Library Best Books for Kids, NCTE Notable Verse Novel for Excellence in Poetry Book, Nerdy Book Club Best Poetry and Novel in Verse, and a Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee. Tamera is a graduate of Hamline University's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Storywraps.
1,968 reviews39 followers
February 9, 2016
This fun tale will have kids laughing and asking "one more time please!' A comedic twist on the classic nursery rhyme "There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. " Kids will jump in to shout out the refrain..."Perhaps she'll sink," when it appears after each of the old woman's silly capers.

A grey-haired, pudgy fisherwoman with her signature red hat begins the story by downing a skink. Now why she would decide to scarf a lizard is beyond me but how offbeat is that? She proceeds to gulp a bobber, some fishing line, a fishing pole, a pail, a net, an oar and even her boat. Oh my, no wonder she is sweating profusely... grave indigestion can bring the sweats on for sure.

Each time she swallows something new there is always the chance that this one might be the very one that does her in and she will sink to bottom of the foamy brine. But no, miraculously she is still afloat much to her and the reader's surprise. But then she reaches for something that proves to be her demise. After she ingests her last unthinkable snack she is taken down and submerged hook, line and sinker... and sink her it does!

The illustrations are colourful, playful and sure to please both young and old alike. They become more detailed as the story progresses and the expressions on the old lady's face are hilarious. Written in rhyme, it's a book you will be delighted to tackle and one which I highly recommend. Once you have read it you will be hooked.
Profile Image for Carl Williams.
590 reviews4 followers
March 7, 2016
Lyrics to songs are not static things. There is a long standing tradition in music of the people—and in stories too—of adding, changing, and adopting for new situations or just for fun. The Labor Movement did it. The Civil Rights Movement did it. Woody Guthrie did it all the time.

And that’s what happens here. There Was an Old Lady who Gobbled a Skink written by Tamera Will Wissinger, and illustrated by Anna Bermejo (Sky Pony Press © 2016 both text and illustrations) takes the cumulative song “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” by Rose Bonne and Alan Mills to the lake with clever rhymes and fun rhythms as the reputations increase. The illustrations are simple and childlike and add to the fun and silliness of the read.

More when I read it with my grandsons, and they have an opinion to add.

(Please note: I received a copy of this book free through Goodreads Giveaways.)
Profile Image for Polly Holyoke.
Author 8 books409 followers
February 2, 2016
I loved this sweet, original picture book, the latest effort from the talented Tamera Wissinger. This author obviously relishes language, sound and wordplay. The bright, simple illustrations fit the text perfectly. This is a terrific read aloud, particularly for children who love silliness, fishing and the water.
194 reviews1 follower
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March 20, 2022
This was a clever and fun entry in the Swallowed series. This old lady goes after all kinds of things related to boats. The animation is very solid here and the last pages have a need twist that the children absolutely loved. The story has a solid flow and good rhymes.
Profile Image for Peggy.
Author 6 books140 followers
January 24, 2016
A clever and fun re-imagining of "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly," with a fishing theme. Such a fun direction to take it! A fantastic read-aloud that was hilarious.
Profile Image for Nancy Cavanaugh.
Author 7 books123 followers
January 26, 2016
Readers will LOVE this new twist on an old tale - fun, fanciful text and bright, colorful illustrations make this book one that children will ask for time and time again.
Profile Image for Connie.
746 reviews31 followers
March 25, 2016
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
Profile Image for Mary Lee.
3,282 reviews54 followers
March 5, 2016
A fun addition to my collection of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a.... books. The punchline at the end is hilarious!
Profile Image for Jill Talbert.
46 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2016
Cute book with colorful illustrations and catchy rhymes. I think all children will enjoy it!
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
Profile Image for Michele.
835 reviews37 followers
January 1, 2017
This was an adorable addition to the "There Was an Old Lady..." take offs. Loved the crayon drawing like illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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