There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs
Oct 27, 2010 Kelley Huston
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs - Johnette Downing
The classic story gets an interesting new telling with a fun twist at the end.
Joynette Downing is a singer/songwriter/author from Louisana. She is an award winner for her music and books. She has written several chidren's book. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs.
Plot of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs
Everyone know the classic song story of the old lady who swallowed stuff. In the classic she swallows bugs and animals. Joynette Downing has adapted the tale to include all bugs.
The story begins with the old lady swallowing a fly and spider much like the original. Then she goes on to swallow other bugs: a flea, an ant, a slug, a worm, a mosquito, and a roach. As she swallows each bug a description of why she swallowed each bug. For example when she swallows the mosquito the description is "...Well, it was eating her burrito, so she swallowed the mosquito."
Each bug joins the others in the old lady's tummy until she is very full. The tummy is descriped as being tight and the little old lady croaks. But who the little old lady is in the end is the surprise twist to this story.
Illustrations of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs
Johnette Downing is known for her colorful collage illustrations. The illustrations in this book fit beautifully into this type. She has selected bright colors for the background of each picture. The insects are pictured in the traditional color for each type. The illustrations practically pop right off the page with their vibrant colors and texture. The book is beautiful and prereaders will enjoy just looking at the pictures which can be used by these children to retell the story.
Verses in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs
The verses in the book are catchy and easy to remember. The verses feature rhymes and fun descriptions of what the bugs were doing before being swallowed or do after being swallowed. The child listening to the story will quickly catch on to the verses and by the fourth or fifth bug is actually reciting the spider and fly part with the reader.
The verses are written featuring color as well to add emphasis to the bug names as well as other words in the text. The color adds emphasis to the text and helps the reader associate the bug name with the bug.
Uses for There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs
This book would be a wonderful addition to any library of Old Lady books. Not only could it be used in a unit with these other books, but it could be a starting place for older students to do a rewrite of the old lady story featuring their own things she eats. Most kids would find this an exciting activity and would enjoy being creative in such a way.
This book would also be a good introduction to some less common types of bugs such as slugs and roaches. It provides a chance for the teacher to explain what these insects are and what they really look like. It may be a catalyst for some students to do further research to learn more about the types of bugs mentioned in the book.
The combination of colorful illustrations and rhythmic verses as well as the surprise twist at the end make this a book that will be enjoyed by all readers. Parents can enjoy it time and time again with their children.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs Adapted and Illustrated by Johnette Downing
Pelican Publishing Company, 2010
ISBN: 9781589808584
Read more at Suite101: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs http://www.suite101.com/content/there-was-an-old-lady-who-swallowed-some-bugs-a298643#ixzz13b8XW9P2
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends
"My aunt and cousin introduced me to your music several years ago! I LOVE your scarf dancing CD with the New Orleans music. I would love to purchase a CD to use in my first grade classroom. Can you tell me where I can find it??"
Thank you,
B. Boyer
a BIG fan in California
Thank you,
B. Boyer
a BIG fan in California
TODAY IS MONDAY IN TEXAS Book Featured in Cowboys & Indians Magazine
Picture book TODAY IS MONDAY IN TEXAS was selected for digital December Gift Guide for Cowboys & Indians magazine. See Zinio.com
Book Review for THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS
"Louisiana storyteller and musician Johnette Downing offers a new take on an old story with "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs." Most of these creatures are Louisiana insects so it's a regional take on the old tale as well, but this one has a unique ending. The book is illustrated by Downing using felt collages."
-The News Star
-The News Star
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Five Star Review from Feathered Quill Book Reviews
Check out this great review for my THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS book -
A creative adaptation, September 28, 2010
By Feathered Quill Book Reviews (Goshen, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs (Hardcover)
"There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don't know why she swallowed a fly; perhaps she'll cry." How many of us learned this somewhat whacky, and very fun, song when we were young? I remember singing it over and over and giving myself a good laugh as I imagined all the strange things the old lady swallowed. Now, singer/songwriter Johnette Downing has put her own unique spin on the famous children's song in this 2010 adaptation of There Was An Old Lady.
In this newest version, our friendly old lady decides to try some, um, rather interesting new tasty treats. Rather than swallow a cow (as she did in the version I was taught many years ago), our protagonist concentrates on the world of bugs with hysterical results:
"There was an old lady
Who swallowed a mosquito.
Well, it was eating her burrito,
So she swallowed the mosquito."
The artwork in this latest version of the tale is done in a vibrant collage format that fits perfectly with the story. We never actually see a depiction of the old lady; instead we are shown a big mouth and tongue as they consume each bug, followed by a slowly filling tummy as the creatures congregate in their new "home." The author also adds numerous colorful background visuals, such as flowers, a cattail, and a sunset. But wait! There's a surprise ending where we do finally see the "Old Lady" and I'm guessing it will make most kids giggle with glee. Who is she? I can't tell you that - you'll have to read the book!
Quill says: A creative adaptation to a well known song that will have kids reading/singing along over and over.
http://www.amazon.com/There-Lady-Swallowed-Some-Bugs/dp/1589808584/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284920891&sr=8-1
A creative adaptation, September 28, 2010
By Feathered Quill Book Reviews (Goshen, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs (Hardcover)
"There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don't know why she swallowed a fly; perhaps she'll cry." How many of us learned this somewhat whacky, and very fun, song when we were young? I remember singing it over and over and giving myself a good laugh as I imagined all the strange things the old lady swallowed. Now, singer/songwriter Johnette Downing has put her own unique spin on the famous children's song in this 2010 adaptation of There Was An Old Lady.
In this newest version, our friendly old lady decides to try some, um, rather interesting new tasty treats. Rather than swallow a cow (as she did in the version I was taught many years ago), our protagonist concentrates on the world of bugs with hysterical results:
"There was an old lady
Who swallowed a mosquito.
Well, it was eating her burrito,
So she swallowed the mosquito."
The artwork in this latest version of the tale is done in a vibrant collage format that fits perfectly with the story. We never actually see a depiction of the old lady; instead we are shown a big mouth and tongue as they consume each bug, followed by a slowly filling tummy as the creatures congregate in their new "home." The author also adds numerous colorful background visuals, such as flowers, a cattail, and a sunset. But wait! There's a surprise ending where we do finally see the "Old Lady" and I'm guessing it will make most kids giggle with glee. Who is she? I can't tell you that - you'll have to read the book!
Quill says: A creative adaptation to a well known song that will have kids reading/singing along over and over.
http://www.amazon.com/There-Lady-Swallowed-Some-Bugs/dp/1589808584/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284920891&sr=8-1
A Year of Reading: And Yet Another Song Book
A Year of Reading: And Yet Another Song Book: "As you know if you read my blog posts, I love new songbooks. I think they are quite fun and I also know how important they are for early lit..."
Reading Year Reads and Reviews My Bug Book!
And Yet Another Song Book
As you know if you read my blog posts, I love new songbooks. I think they are quite fun and I also know how important they are for early literacy development. When I heard about THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS by Johnette Downing, I ordered it immediately. I love all of the different versions of this story/song. And this one is a bit unique. The story follows the typical "There was an old lady" format and in this version, the old lady eats a variety of bugs including a mosquito, a worm, a slug and a roach. UGH! The illustrations are unique in that you don't see the entire Old Lady getting bigger and bigger. Instead, each page focuses on the tongue and the stomach--close ups of the "old lady" eating each bug and them gathering in her tummy. But this one has a fun surprise ending that I think kids will love.
The text of this one is a bit tricky in that some pages contain a lot of text and some of the bug names might be unknown to young kids but I think this book will be enjoyed by kids of all ages--a fun version of a well-loved song!
http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2010/09/and-yet-another-song-book.html
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
As you know if you read my blog posts, I love new songbooks. I think they are quite fun and I also know how important they are for early literacy development. When I heard about THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS by Johnette Downing, I ordered it immediately. I love all of the different versions of this story/song. And this one is a bit unique. The story follows the typical "There was an old lady" format and in this version, the old lady eats a variety of bugs including a mosquito, a worm, a slug and a roach. UGH! The illustrations are unique in that you don't see the entire Old Lady getting bigger and bigger. Instead, each page focuses on the tongue and the stomach--close ups of the "old lady" eating each bug and them gathering in her tummy. But this one has a fun surprise ending that I think kids will love.
The text of this one is a bit tricky in that some pages contain a lot of text and some of the bug names might be unknown to young kids but I think this book will be enjoyed by kids of all ages--a fun version of a well-loved song!
http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2010/09/and-yet-another-song-book.html
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
New Orleans Jazz Historical Park Concert 10/8
Hope to see many of my little fans at my upcoming Free Family Friendly Friday Concert for children at the New Orleans Historical Jazz Park Visitor Center on October 8, 2010 at 11:00. A book signing at A Tisket A Tasket follows the concert at noon.
See you there!
See you there!
Costa Rica Tour Was a Blast!
I have just returned from a fabulous two week tour in Costa Rica! Thanks to all the teachers and advisors who made my trip so memorable. A special thanks to my dear friend Carmen! Here are some of the comments the teachers and advisors in my workshop sent me:
"I was participating in the workshop you shared in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Thank you very much because I learned a lot, and had a great time !!!!"
=Marcela Ramos Chacon
"I hope this email finds you well. Thank you for your kind words. No doubt you are a great writer with such an inspirational message. You can conquer the world with your way of expressing, not only through writing but also through your sweet and angelical voice. The honor was mine. I hope to see you soon!
It will a pleasure to have you in our network as a special guest.
Blessings!"
-Lic. Manuel Rojas Mata
Asesor Pedagógico de Inglés
"Hi miss Johnette I was one of the teachers of Limon-Costa Rica that were presented in your presentations. I enjoyed your songs and also your techniques of teaching the days of the week...excelent Gongratulations for all your success."
-Anthony Grau Leon
"Dear Jonnette, Hi it is Paola!!! It was a pleasure to have a talented musician like you in my region... we were so happy with your creativity and charisma. Please come back as soon as you can. This time I promise a delicious tamal and coffeee for you." -Hugs Paola
"I was participating in the workshop you shared in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Thank you very much because I learned a lot, and had a great time !!!!"
=Marcela Ramos Chacon
"I hope this email finds you well. Thank you for your kind words. No doubt you are a great writer with such an inspirational message. You can conquer the world with your way of expressing, not only through writing but also through your sweet and angelical voice. The honor was mine. I hope to see you soon!
It will a pleasure to have you in our network as a special guest.
Blessings!"
-Lic. Manuel Rojas Mata
Asesor Pedagógico de Inglés
"Hi miss Johnette I was one of the teachers of Limon-Costa Rica that were presented in your presentations. I enjoyed your songs and also your techniques of teaching the days of the week...excelent Gongratulations for all your success."
-Anthony Grau Leon
"Dear Jonnette, Hi it is Paola!!! It was a pleasure to have a talented musician like you in my region... we were so happy with your creativity and charisma. Please come back as soon as you can. This time I promise a delicious tamal and coffeee for you." -Hugs Paola
Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends
"Ok. So in addition to influencing our trips around LA, this week the kids want to eat dinner the way that TODAY IS MONDAY IN LOUISIANA, spells out! ;)"
-Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin
-Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin
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