There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog
There Was an Old... Series
What’s inside...
There was an old monkey who swallowed a frog, a bat, a mango, a toucan, an iguana, and more! What a hog! Zany illustrations rendered digitally by Steve Gray show monkey's belly growing and growing as he eats a host of jungle creatures in this adaptation of the popular children's song, inspired by the rain forest.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the monkey swallowed the frog? What do you think he could have done instead?
How did the other animals in the story react to the monkey's actions? How would you react if you were one of those animals?
What do you think is the message of this story? How does it make you feel about handling problems?
Can you think of a time when you did something silly or unexpected? What happened next?
If you could change the ending of the story, what would happen to the monkey and the frog?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voice tones when discussing the different characters, making the conversation lively and more engaging.
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of actions, like swallowing a frog, by asking what they think happened inside the monkey's tummy.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Use this as a springboard to discuss the story’s themes.
Connect the story to real-life events by asking your child if they have ever encountered animals in unexpected places and how they felt about it.
Pose hypothetical questions to your child, like what they would do if they were in the monkey’s shoes, which encourages them to think critically and empathetically.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cause and Effect
Explanation: The story whimsically demonstrates the consequences of the monkey’s actions as he swallows increasingly absurd items.
Real-World Application: Children learn that actions have consequences, helping them make better choices in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Sequencing
Explanation: As the monkey swallows item after item, the narrative follows a clear, sequential order that reinforces understanding of first, next, and last.
Real-World Application: This helps children organize their thoughts and actions, crucial for storytelling, following instructions, and problem-solving.
Example Lesson: Humor in Storytelling
Explanation: The ridiculous premise of the monkey swallowing unlikely items adds a layer of humor, engaging children more deeply with the text.
Real-World Application: Understanding humor aids in social interactions and boosts creativity, allowing children to express themselves in unique and enjoyable ways.
Example Lesson: Memory Enhancement
Explanation: Children are encouraged to remember each item the monkey swallows, improving recall abilities.
Real-World Application: Enhancing memory aids academic learning and helps in remembering tasks and information in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Vocabulary Development
Explanation: Each item the monkey swallows introduces children to new words and concepts, enriching their language skills.
Real-World Application: Expanding vocabulary is key to improving communication skills and understanding complex ideas in conversations and reading.