There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

 Dear Blog,

This week I read Simms Taback's picture book, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (1997). This is a well know children's book as it is know for its repetitiveness and rhythmic patterns. Many students in my class love this folk song because they can read along with me during carpet time. I notice many students choosing this book during centers because they have gained the confidence needed to read or recite the story independently. This story is great for students to practice retelling the sequence of events. Students can recall the objects swallowed by the lady by using transitional vocabulary such as "First, Next, Then, Last." Possible questions to ask to deepen student thinking would be: "What makes this story fiction?" "How would you feel if you swallowed a fly?" "Why do you think the Old Woman swallowed all of these items?"

This text was awarded a Notable Children's Book in 1998. It also received the Caldecott Medal in 1998, as well as Best Illustrated Children's Book in 1997. This book is enjoyed by all readers and is a great addition to add to any bookshelf.