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I Know an Old Lady
An updated and slightly different take on a classic folk song “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” with a new, kid-friendly ending, I Know an Old Lady is a humorous picture book for children featuring the iconic old lady that can’t stop eating the strangest things! With memorable lyrics, absurd illustrations, and die-cut elements that gradually build and build upon each other until the old lady’s stomach is filled with bizarre objects, from a small fly all the way up to a horse, this silly children’s book of a timeless tale will delight both kids and parents alike!
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
18 pages, Board Book
Published January 5, 2021
About the author
Edward Miller
455 books6 followersEdward Miller is the author of many nonfiction children's titles. A prolific graphic designer and longtime art director in children's publishing, Miller lives in New York City.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 9, 2020
Now that's a funny one.
Because I don't think that old lady can swallow all those animals but it's a fun read.
The illustrations are really good with subtle colours.
I find the story bizarre but I can see what it is trying to explain the food chain in the animal world.
Thanks Authors and the publisher for the advance reading copy.
Because I don't think that old lady can swallow all those animals but it's a fun read.
The illustrations are really good with subtle colours.
I find the story bizarre but I can see what it is trying to explain the food chain in the animal world.
Thanks Authors and the publisher for the advance reading copy.
January 26, 2021
A new take on an old classic that many readers would have grown up listening to, or reciting themselves.
The images are colourful and wonderfully detailed in a cute cartoon style. I enjoyed the depiction of the old lady who always seems to have a cup of tea and a cupcake on the go.
With a conservative move away from the original verse of "perhaps she'll die" Miller ends each stanza with a different rhyming match to "fly" such as "It makes me cry" and "I'd rather eat pie."
It is hard to get the full visual effect with an eBook as the hard copy board book has peek-through die cut holes that show the every increasing animals inside the old lady as you turn the page.
Reading this book was a treat for me as well as the children. The full spread illustrations had many elements to look at apart from the mounting collection of animals in the old lady's belly. I loved that the animal that was next to be eaten appeared on the page previous to it being mentioned and the children could speculate what was coming next. The repetitive nature of the rhyming is conducive of audience participation and it didn't take them long to start joining in.
I didn't particularly like the ending with it's veer away from "She died, of course." I really don't think children take their story books so literally that they think an old lady died. Do we really need to be so sensitive? However this is a good version if you have a child that is sensitive to these things. Anyway, I liked it enough to seek out a hard copy to add to my home library. It was a lot of fun!
*I received a copy via Netgalley
The images are colourful and wonderfully detailed in a cute cartoon style. I enjoyed the depiction of the old lady who always seems to have a cup of tea and a cupcake on the go.
With a conservative move away from the original verse of "perhaps she'll die" Miller ends each stanza with a different rhyming match to "fly" such as "It makes me cry" and "I'd rather eat pie."
It is hard to get the full visual effect with an eBook as the hard copy board book has peek-through die cut holes that show the every increasing animals inside the old lady as you turn the page.
Reading this book was a treat for me as well as the children. The full spread illustrations had many elements to look at apart from the mounting collection of animals in the old lady's belly. I loved that the animal that was next to be eaten appeared on the page previous to it being mentioned and the children could speculate what was coming next. The repetitive nature of the rhyming is conducive of audience participation and it didn't take them long to start joining in.
I didn't particularly like the ending with it's veer away from "She died, of course." I really don't think children take their story books so literally that they think an old lady died. Do we really need to be so sensitive? However this is a good version if you have a child that is sensitive to these things. Anyway, I liked it enough to seek out a hard copy to add to my home library. It was a lot of fun!
*I received a copy via Netgalley
April 6, 2021
I know an old lady who swallowed a fly. But, I rather eat pie.
A nice and kinder version of an old classic. A story that you can sing it. Beautiful pictures.
Thanks to Netgalley, I have given an honest review of I Know an Old Lady by Edward Miller.
A nice and kinder version of an old classic. A story that you can sing it. Beautiful pictures.
Thanks to Netgalley, I have given an honest review of I Know an Old Lady by Edward Miller.
January 13, 2021
An interesting spin to the old classic children's song of the same name, I Know An Old Lady features the already known story about an old lady who swallows a fly and keeps on swallowing animals 'til she's dead.
Only here, the author changes all the lines that are about her dying (for example, the "I don't know why she swallowed a fly, I guess she'll die" becomes "I don't know why she swallowed a fly, I'd rather eat pie" as well as her end. In this, she doesn't die when she tries to swallow a horse, instead, she decides that she will not eat it because she is already stuffed.
It was a fun and quick read, I will give it that.
And it also made me look up the original whose existance I ignored 'til now.
But I don't think it's anything groundbreaking, even though the little ones still might enjoy it!
I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Only here, the author changes all the lines that are about her dying (for example, the "I don't know why she swallowed a fly, I guess she'll die" becomes "I don't know why she swallowed a fly, I'd rather eat pie" as well as her end. In this, she doesn't die when she tries to swallow a horse, instead, she decides that she will not eat it because she is already stuffed.
It was a fun and quick read, I will give it that.
And it also made me look up the original whose existance I ignored 'til now.
But I don't think it's anything groundbreaking, even though the little ones still might enjoy it!
I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2021
*thank you to Netgalley, Fox Chapel Publishing and Edward Miller for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
4 stars.
Ohh man this brings back so many posi8heart felt memories. My Nana use to sing this to me as a child and it was so much fun.
The illustrations were quite good and I liked the colours chosen.
This version has been changed slightly. In the original version, the last line on each page was, 'Perhaps she'll die.' But in this version, each page ended with a different line that would rhyme with the previous line. It was a more positive, less gloomy and upsetting phrase than one about death.
I completely understand and appreciate this version as it would upset some sensitive children and some who found the talk of death in a nursery rhyme a bit too sad.
There was no talk of death in this book. Even the very end where originally the old lady died, it was changed to, "She's stuffed, of course"
So if you are looking for a more kid friendly version to this classic song, this is the book to grab.
4 stars.
Ohh man this brings back so many posi8heart felt memories. My Nana use to sing this to me as a child and it was so much fun.
The illustrations were quite good and I liked the colours chosen.
This version has been changed slightly. In the original version, the last line on each page was, 'Perhaps she'll die.' But in this version, each page ended with a different line that would rhyme with the previous line. It was a more positive, less gloomy and upsetting phrase than one about death.
I completely understand and appreciate this version as it would upset some sensitive children and some who found the talk of death in a nursery rhyme a bit too sad.
There was no talk of death in this book. Even the very end where originally the old lady died, it was changed to, "She's stuffed, of course"
So if you are looking for a more kid friendly version to this classic song, this is the book to grab.
December 5, 2020
I think I'm missing something here. What are the white blobs that correspond with the shape of the old lady's expanding stomach? I'm still scratching my head over that. (I'm wondering if it's some feature that's only visible in the physical version.)
This may be a kid-friendly take on the old song, but it's been watered down to the point where it's kind of boring. Instead of the refrain of "perhaps she'll die", we get various rhyming phrases that change as the book goes on. And the ending, which sees the old lady die from swallowing a horse, just makes reference to the fact that the old lady is pretty full.
The illustrations are colourful and appealing. Aside from those weird white blobs, they're kind of fun.
Overall, I don't know if I'd recommend this one. The original is funny because it's both nonsensical and logical. This version is just nonsensical and overly sanitized.
Thank you to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for providing a digital ARC.
This may be a kid-friendly take on the old song, but it's been watered down to the point where it's kind of boring. Instead of the refrain of "perhaps she'll die", we get various rhyming phrases that change as the book goes on. And the ending, which sees the old lady die from swallowing a horse, just makes reference to the fact that the old lady is pretty full.
The illustrations are colourful and appealing. Aside from those weird white blobs, they're kind of fun.
Overall, I don't know if I'd recommend this one. The original is funny because it's both nonsensical and logical. This version is just nonsensical and overly sanitized.
Thank you to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for providing a digital ARC.
May 4, 2021
Such a silly old lady. Super cute retelling of a classic childhood rhyme. I do like this version better than the original. The illustrations are definitely eye-catching and colorful.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful NEW edition of “I Know an Old Lady”, which had an updated positive twist at the end (compared to the original composition). As I was reading this to a 2 yr old and 4 yr old, they were laughing and thought it quite humorous. The art work is simple - not complicated. At the end of the story, they clapped and said: “Read it again”!
Ok...so kid tested, and mother approved, and that earns 5 STARS!
My thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Ok...so kid tested, and mother approved, and that earns 5 STARS!
My thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 12, 2021
This was a fun updated story that I used to read and sing with my own children. It was a coincidence that my granddaughter's class had spent a few days with the story, singing it, making puppets etc. I loved that this old lady does not die like in the old version. The illustrations are cute, the song is fun and we really enjoyed this one. In fact, we read it and sang it for several days while I did homeschooling with her. I recommend this one.
January 15, 2022
My kids and I enjoy this series so much, so we were super excited to read this! How much more the old lady swallow? It’s fun to see my kid’s expressions and they just want more! We will be reading this one again at bed time. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.
December 29, 2020
With hilarious pictures, this storybook shares an old rhyme in a way that will catch many children's attention.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
December 10, 2020
I was granted complimentary access to an eARC of I Know an Old Lady by Edward Miller through the publisher, Happy Fox Books, in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.
I Know an Old Lady is an updated version of the classic nursery rhyme we all grew up with, "There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," but instead of ending each verse with "I guess she'll die" it questions and theorizes all sorts of different rhyming thoughts in that last line position.
The illustrations are cute. I love the combination of the flat coloured papercut look with overlayed patterns and textures. The pink and purple scheme is bright and fun, and I think kids will really enjoy spending a lot of time looking through these pages.
I Know an Old Lady is an updated version of the classic nursery rhyme we all grew up with, "There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," but instead of ending each verse with "I guess she'll die" it questions and theorizes all sorts of different rhyming thoughts in that last line position.
The illustrations are cute. I love the combination of the flat coloured papercut look with overlayed patterns and textures. The pink and purple scheme is bright and fun, and I think kids will really enjoy spending a lot of time looking through these pages.
January 5, 2021
Based on an old nursery rhyme / fairy tale, this old lady swallows a fly and then has to swallow all sorts of other things in an attempt to undo that one mistake! It's adorable and silly!
While some children may worry about the live animals she swallows, even the youngest can be reassured that they're being sent in there to chase out the others, so they'll all leave eventually - or simply tell them that it's not possible and just a lot of fun silliness.
The illustrations are adorable and hilarious, and the way they work with three-dimensional cutouts to show the contents of her stomach should make it even more fun for kids. Great story retelling for young children.
While some children may worry about the live animals she swallows, even the youngest can be reassured that they're being sent in there to chase out the others, so they'll all leave eventually - or simply tell them that it's not possible and just a lot of fun silliness.
The illustrations are adorable and hilarious, and the way they work with three-dimensional cutouts to show the contents of her stomach should make it even more fun for kids. Great story retelling for young children.
June 2, 2021
This is a cute re-telling of a familiar story. I did not really like the white blobs that were there due to the ebook version formatting and wish that they had figured out a way to place the animals in the spot or remove it for the ebook version. However, if it is a hole that shows through a bit more for each page while reading the physical book, than I think that the animals showing through would be fun for the kids to see and experience. I imagine this would be a fun book for kids to compare to other versions of the story, or simply to read to younger children who will enjoy the silly rhyme for the first time.
June 8, 2021
Edward Miller’s retelling of I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is a fun read for grown ups and their kids. I expected an exact retelling with just new artwork but was pleasantly surprised to read that text had been updated. This was a hilarious read with my 7 year old, who frankly I thought would be too old for the book. She loved calling out the old words she remembered and was delighted by the changes. While the book would be best for younger kids, even she was happy to read it to review it. (Amazon affiliate link) I Know an Old Lady is a fun read for families.
Disclaimer: A copy was provided by Fox Chapel Publishing. Original posted at novelobsession.com.
Disclaimer: A copy was provided by Fox Chapel Publishing. Original posted at novelobsession.com.
January 2, 2021
I’ve always loved this story and have read versions of it numerous times to my pre-school class.
Children LOVE I Know an Old Lady!
I haven’t read one version they have not liked and asked me to read again and again. Children enjoy books with lots of silliness going on.
I really liked that it didn’t have the classic ending of “I guess she”lll die.”
The illustrations are very nice.
Loved the flow of the rhyming.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
Children LOVE I Know an Old Lady!
I haven’t read one version they have not liked and asked me to read again and again. Children enjoy books with lots of silliness going on.
I really liked that it didn’t have the classic ending of “I guess she”lll die.”
The illustrations are very nice.
Loved the flow of the rhyming.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 29, 2021
The original Little Old Lady died at the end, and everyone wondered why? There have been various retellings of this book, but this is one of the few that takes the original story and changes very little. Mostly what is changed is the last stanza. Instead of “I wonder why”, each page has a different end like “i’d rather eat pie”, or “that’s no lie”. Plus at the end the little old lady gets to live. Plus the illustrations are a laugh riot. This is a great replacement when your well loved older copies need replacing.
December 6, 2020
A big thank you to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing/Happy Fox Books for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks is a children's book. It reminds me of a childhood favorite A Fly Went By. This is based on the story The old Lady who Swallowed a fly. It is silly but still fun for kids. I agree with another reviewer why are there white blobs on the pages-not needed. This is very colorful. I would rate it a 3.
January 17, 2021
This retelling of the classic, “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” has easily become a new family favorite. Its alternative, age-appropriate-ending will have caregivers reading this again and again. Brightly colored and humorous illustrations will keep children of all ages engaged and giggling throughout this classic tale.
Pairs nicely with: fruit punch
Child Review: "I like it! (Giggles) She ate a dog in it!!"
#IKnowanOldLadyHappyFoxBooksFoxChapelPublishing #NetGalley
Pairs nicely with: fruit punch
Child Review: "I like it! (Giggles) She ate a dog in it!!"
#IKnowanOldLadyHappyFoxBooksFoxChapelPublishing #NetGalley
December 9, 2020
I know an Old Lady is a cute book with a wonderful rhyme. The illustrations were vibrant and engaging. This would be a great book to read in a library or classroom setting or to read as a bedtime story. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. (This review is also on GoodReads.)
December 14, 2020
I received this e-ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Another in a sea of "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" books, this one is nicely illustrated and cute, but owning numerous copies of this song already, I don't think there is enough different in here to make my feel like I need one more edition.
Another in a sea of "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" books, this one is nicely illustrated and cute, but owning numerous copies of this song already, I don't think there is enough different in here to make my feel like I need one more edition.
December 21, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun one though not a new favorite. The illustrations were simple, but good. The text would be fun to read with kids. Nothing spectacular, but a decent book that should entertain.
This was a fun one though not a new favorite. The illustrations were simple, but good. The text would be fun to read with kids. Nothing spectacular, but a decent book that should entertain.
December 25, 2020
I've always quite loved this story, it's fun to say, it's fun to listen and it's fun to look at the great pictures. Kids love it and as an adult I also love it still. I recommend!
Thank you to #netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 28, 2020
Any age & silly
What a twist! This version of I Know an Old Lady is absolutely wonderful. I remember reading this story as a kid and to see it retold in such an amazing way is awesome. I also want to include the fantastic illustrations.
I highly recommend this book.
What a twist! This version of I Know an Old Lady is absolutely wonderful. I remember reading this story as a kid and to see it retold in such an amazing way is awesome. I also want to include the fantastic illustrations.
I highly recommend this book.
December 9, 2020
*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Know this story very well but really like the art in this edition of the book!
December 10, 2020
Thank you Netgalley for the review copy!
This will always be a favorite of mine from childhood ❤️
This will always be a favorite of mine from childhood ❤️
January 20, 2021
I like the illustrations but the story was quite bizarre. I don't think kids can learn something new.
August 17, 2021
This is a cute rendition of a classic tale. I reviewed a digital copy, so I was unable to enjoy the die cut illustrations. The physical copy will be fun for children.
May 24, 2022
Not like the song at all, the song is better
August 16, 2024
Gluttony. (Sweet pics tho)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews