There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat!
There Was an Old Lady Series
What’s inside...
A whimsical book by author Lucille Colandro that gives a Halloween twist to the classic rhyming tale. In this adventure, children follow the old lady as she swallows a bat, owl, cat, ghost, goblin, and even a wizard, all in her seemingly never-ending hunger. Celebrate Halloween with a twist on the classic song from the bestselling series.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the old lady decided to swallow a bat? What are some other choices she could have made?
How do you feel about the strange things the old lady swallows? What would you do if you were in her place?
What do you think happens to the old lady at the end of the story? Can you imagine a different ending?
How do the illustrations help tell the story? Which picture is your favorite and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a playful and curious tone when discussing the old lady's bizarre choices to make the conversation light and engaging.
Encourage your child to think about alternatives to swallowing the items by asking what other solutions the old lady might have used.
Ask your child to draw their own version of the old lady or another ending to the story. This can help deepen their understanding and attachment to the narrative.
Discuss the sequence of items the old lady swallows and see if your child can remember them in order. This enhances both memory and narrative skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sequencing and Memory
Explanation: The repetitive and cumulative narrative structure helps children predict what will happen next, aiding in memory retention and understanding of sequences.
Real-World Application: Children can apply sequencing skills to organize their daily activities or in recounting events from their day in a logical order.
Example Lesson: Cause and Effect
Explanation: Each swallowing act by the old lady leads to an increasingly bizarre set of circumstances, demonstrating clear cause-and-effect relationships.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to anticipate outcomes based on their actions, such as understanding that not putting away toys might lead to losing them.
Example Lesson: Creative Thinking
Explanation: The absurdity of the old lady swallowing various creatures encourages children to think creatively and explore imaginative scenarios.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage in imaginative play, enhance their creativity in problem-solving, and approach tasks with an open mind.
Example Lesson: Vocabulary Development
Explanation: The variety of creatures and descriptive phrases can introduce new words and contexts, expanding a child’s vocabulary.
Real-World Application: Enhanced vocabulary aids in expressive language skills, enabling children to communicate more effectively in conversations and storytelling.
Example Lesson: Entertainment Value and Humor
Explanation: The humorous elements of the book, like the old lady swallowing a bat, can make reading enjoyable and foster a love for books.
Real-World Application: Instilling an appreciation for humor and enjoyment in reading can motivate children to explore more books, enhancing literacy and lifelong learning.