Once Upon MacDonald's Farm

by Stephen Gammell

MacDonald tries farming with exotic circus animals, but has better luck with his neighbor's cow, horse, and chicken.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Animals, Fiction, Art, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Caldecott winner US children's book illustrator.

Biography

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once Upon MacDonald's Farm by Stephen Gammell is a very funny twist on the popular song "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."

"While it is true that MacDonald had a farm... it wasn't much of a farm, and he had no animals. None at all." ... "So, he bought an elephant. He also bought a baboon and a lion. Hijinks ensue.

This is a laugh-out-loud funny satire on a beloved children's song. The text plays straight man to the humor of the illustrations. At the end is the familiar Ei-ei-oh.

The illustrations were rendered in pencil. The black and white format matches the surreal story, with the humorous payoff coming from the irritated animals, particularly the lion and the hen. It's a read aloud I always enjoy.

This is in my Hall of Fame of funny and weird picturebooks. If you need a laugh, give this a read. This reminds me of the satire in The Happy Hocky Family.

For ages 5 and up, farms, animals, humor, repetitive text, read-aloud, and fans of Stephen Gammell.

[Irma Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Once Upon MacDonald’s Farm…", is a traditional tale, but with a twist. The book tells about an alternate story of Old MacDonald’s Farm, but this time his farm didn’t start off as a farm, it wasn’t as joyful and not as colorful as the one in the other stories. Old MacDonald didn’t have animals, so he bought some but they weren’t farm animals, later on these animals left him. Poor man was left with a lonely farm, so his neighbor took pity on him and gave him some farm animals, who actually produce milk, eggs, and helped him plow. Story is very interesting as children who read this will think funny, yet sad story that makes the children rethink about how the farmer began with nothing.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations remind me too much of the book Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, and cute and simple story. Silly farmer that will certainly make the little ones laugh.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hysterical story about MacDonald's Farm and the fact that MacDonald isn't much of a farmer at all!

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, but definitely not the Old MacDonald you're used to. This MacDonald isn't really much of a farmer.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

McDonald had a rundown farm with no animals, so he bought an elephant, a lion, and a baboon, then discovered he couldn't get the work done with those animals. With actual farm animals that neighbours brought to him he tried again. The illustrations are amusing and the situations are ridiculous which makes this a very enjoyable story.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny twist on Old MacDonald's Farm without music or anything resembling something for primary grades.

I picked up this book because I loved the black and white illustrations. The illustrations create a great combination of serious and ridiculous. It looks like it might end up being a serious book based on the somber looking cover and dark colors, but it is so funny. Loved it! Just looking at the farmer waiting expectantly for the baboon to lay some eggs made me bust out laughing.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farmer MacDonald does things a little differently. I love his level of gratitude, the help of his good neighbor, and that he was so thoroughly himself throughout this book. I know a MacDonald in real life, by another name. What I love most about the real life "MacDonald" is how simply s/he teaches others that our brains just don't all function in exactly the same way, and that's okay.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever story and FANTASTIC pencil-sketch illustrations. Was Old MacDonald always a great farmer? Maybe he had a thing or two to learn before he became famous enough to have a song written about him! Cute!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new twist to an old favorite. Great illustrations.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and a half

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

very funny

[Kim Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't much like this book until I got to the last page, but then I "got it". I'd like to try it on a class and see what they think. The pictures are all black and white and a bit dreary.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is kind of a clever picture book, but the illustrations make me feel like it is more for adults than children.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for pre-schoolers. Funny story, great art.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh. "The Man Who Didn't Like Animals" by Underwood would be my choice instead.

[Rediz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I mean when I say a picture is worth a thousand words because to add a twist on top of a twist of a nursery rhyme is peak.