There's a Hole in the Bucket

by Nadine Bernard Westcott

A humorous folk song in which Liza instructs Henry how to fix a hole in the bucket and Henry gives her all the reasons why he can't do it.

Genres: Folklore, Music, Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Library Binding

Published January 1, 1990

About the author

Nadine Bernard Westcott is the illustrator of many popular books for children, including Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash and Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash, as well as the author and illustator of The Lady With The Alligator Purse. She used to spend many hours chasing after her dog, who would come home only when ready and not a minute sooner. Ms. Westcott lives on Nantucket with her husband, Bill.

Reviews

[Tym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a humorous old summer camp song the illustrations add an extra layer of humor to the lyrics

[Samantha Sirbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. N/A
2. Appropriate for preschool and kindergarten.
3. This silly tale of a man name Henry who has a hole in his bucket take you through the journey as he tries to fix the hole. Asking his dear Liza how he should fix it along with many other questions. This story line will keep you laughing along with the pictures.
4. For many you will recognize this as the song that it is. In the back of the book there are the words with music notes to read the tune. It is a funny and catchy song that uses repetition that is great for young children to sing and read.
5. This song could be used during music time in a preschool or a fun flannel story if the teacher made some pieces.

[Tessa Zimmerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Fiction/ Contemporary fiction
Grade:Pk-2nd

I can totally relate to this story. I have a bunch of animals at home and when there is a hole in the bucket it makes things so difficult. It is a catchy book and fun to sing along with as well.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cartoony and fun illustration of the old classic song.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures were cute but the song was just okay.

[Valerie]

This is probably not the edition I've read through, and it's certainly not the version I heard, in which the man's name is John.

What's really needed is a version with music, so the reader can sing the song.

It really works best with very young children. I was probably about six when I first heard it, and at first I was just listening to a pleasant sounding song. But I began to catch on about two steps before the end. And that's how it's supposed to work. At first, you're just idly listening to the amiable argument, and then you begin to see how it has to end...

[Hailey Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: poetry
Reading Level: lower elementary

This book is very catchy, even to me as a college student. The author is smart and uses song in the book. Even without being able to hear the song, when you read I️t the words just flow into one. I think young children with like this book I️t it’s read out loud to them.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book. I liked it! (Obviously, I gave it four stars). I like the silliness of the story and cartoony looking characters. Liza's expressions are a hoot. It's fun to sing along to, as well.

[Liesl Guymon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book because it reminds me of my childhood and how my mother would play this song for us in the car. There were good illustrations that helped the story to be more enjoyable. This is a good story.

[Julie Surface · Rating 4 out of 5]

FUNNY! i couldn't sing it because i was laughing to hard.
this farmer had to get water for his wife, and there was a hole in the bucket. she tried telling him how to fix it, so he got her wet in the end.

[Kali Hilliard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-6; poetry/ contemporary realistic; I don’t think many kids will get the references, but it is a cute story of an argument between a married couple. I loved it because the guys questions reminded me of questions my dad would ask my mom, which brought that much more entertainment to the story!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has cute pictures for a song which could get otherwise get boring. Ends with Henry pouring the bucket of water on Liza, but the next page shows them playing together in the water.

[Kazima]

Really cute drawings!!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The song got a little boring to read by the end of the book but I love the last few pages! So cute!

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I like that it is a song that is a book, but I'm not impressed by the drawings.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other related books on the theme of "Holes" which would work better with a slightly older group include this

[Kayla Skeans · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to teach students a funny song to go with a book then this is the right book.

[Alissa Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find this book a good memory from my childhood. I find children would enjoy it with doing some hand motions while slinging the words.

[Juliet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute! I'd never actually had heard the entire song, I just remember singing "there's a hole in the bucket" so it was fun discovering all of the lyrics.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellent demonstration of circular reasoning. . .