Old MacDonald Had an Apartment House

by Judi Barrett, Ron Barrett (Illustrator)

The creators of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs introduce youngsters to Old MacDonald, the wacky apartment building superintendent who grows his crops and raises his animals in bedrooms, kitchens, closets, and bathrooms.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food, Juvenile, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Judi Barrett is an American author and art teacher best known for imaginative children’s picture books, most notably Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing. Raised in Brooklyn, she trained in advertising design before working as a freelance designer and later turning to education, teaching art and woodworking to young children while pursuing further studies in early childhood education and studio arts. She frequently collaborated with illustrator Ron Barrett, creating several popular titles together. Her whimsical storytelling, blending humor with inventive concepts, has made her books enduring favorites, some adapted for film, while she has continued teaching and writing.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sure, it's a fantasy. But it's also a fable. And it's funny. And it *is* possible to grow herbs, at least, in an apartment. And it *is* possible to find a building owner willing to think outside the box and solve problems. I will look for the other more obscure titles by this team when I visit little old libraries and small town thrift stores.

[Laurie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

While searching for farm animal books, I stumbled upon this title I had never heard of. I loved Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs as a kid, but never knew about this book, so I was excited to check it out. It's silly and unbelievable, just like Cloudy, but seems a bit more plausible. I admit, I felt a little bad for the tenants who were all but forced out of the building, but it was still fun to see Old MacDonald's unconventional farm come to life. The art style really works here, as the fruits and vegetables are the only (growing) splashes of color.

I also had to laugh at all the pipes and cigars being smoked in this book...that's the 60s for you! ;-D

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very cute. It gave me a good chuckle.

[Rachel Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Barretts are better known for Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, but I think this lesser-known opus is the superior work. It does stretch credulity a bit. My father, a plant pathologist who was raised on a farm, used to go to great lengths to explain to us exactly WHY one could not turn an apartment building into a farm, the way Old MacDonald does in this book. I didn't care; it doesn't matter. This is a parable about nature and the city finding ways to accommodate each other, soft-hearted gardeners and practical capitalists finding common ground, cats and dogs lying down together... well, you get the idea. A peaceable kingdom in a five-story walk-up.

I loved it as a kid. One could make a legitimate argument that this book is why I write. Not the only reason, but one of the first.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the author-illustrator team that gave us Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs comes this twist on the classic "Old MacDonald had a farm" two-step. Rather than go through all the animals on MacDonald's farm, it is far more amusing to watch him turn a city apartment building into a garden and live stock pen. This comes at the cost of tentants and almost Old MacDonald's job, but lucky for him, vegetables can pay rent too. This is so adorable, and the illustrations top-notch.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites, visionary, though don't recall what happened to the moon pies.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteer in a library sorting center. We received this book in and a friend suggested that I read it. I read it on the spot and loved it!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how the apartment own worked for a win/win scenario. Working for double wins takes work.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

City farming at its finest!

[NY-DOGWALKER · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Absolute Must read book that does an outrageously creative and inventive take on Old MacDonald had A Farm. Old MacDonald Had an Apartment House was gifted to me as a child and I have loved it ever since. It is perfectly written and wonderfully illustrated by husband and wife team Judi and Ron Barrett. The illustrations in this book are what brought this fabulous story to life. I will never tire of reading and sharing this wonderful story with others.

*For three years prior to the pandemic I was a volunteer for a wonderful reading program where I helping several students in elementary school with their reading skills. This program lasted from August through May. These wonderful students made such incredible strides with their reading I was amazed and so proud of each and every one of them. This book was one that I got share with them and it was a huge hit. One of the young girls I read with who started off as painfully shy and not wanting to read at all, ending up being able to read this book cover to cover twice. It was an Awesome Moment!!

[Esmoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took the average of my rating and my four year old's rating. I'd give it three stars and I think he'd give it five, partly because he is currently obsessed with learning about apartment buildings. This was written in 1969 and is intended to be silly but it has present-day relevance as well, with the focus on eating locally grown vegetables.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonsensical tale of an apartment manager Old MacDonald and his garden that went astray is cute, funny, and beautifully illustrated. The only warning for parents is to keep the crayons hidden away if you get this from the library as the delightful black and white illustrations long to be colored. As an adult I was even tempted! Bravo!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about Old MacDonald as the Super of an apartment building. As his tenants move out, he uses their old apartments to plant vegetables. Great use of imagination as the carrots grow down through the ceiling of the apartment below, etc…

[elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one that I definitely liked better as a child than I do now, but it still holds up pretty well.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute and urban version of an old classic.

[Ily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the urban farm idea. cute book and I think I could use it for a silly story or skit in cub scouts as we talk about our living world requirements.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5- What would happen if Old MacDonald lived in a city instead of on a farm?

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets five stars because it was one of my favourite books when I was a child.

[Asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't understand how this hasn't become a classic New York book for kids.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about an apartment super who turns the apartment building into a farm.