Book details
There Was an Old Sailor
Description
This playful, rhyming picture book offers a fresh and fun new take on the song "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly." In Claire Saxby's telling, a white-bearded, big-bellied sailor sets things in motion by swallowing a krill. He then goes on to swallow progressively larger sea creatures, each meant to catch the preceding one. Every new introduction is followed by a retelling of all the previously eaten animals, and "I don't know why he swallowed the krill --- It'll make him ill." The sailor's tale finally ends when he swallows a whale, "then with a burp ... set sail." The burp allows all the other creatures to be released out of his mouth and back into the sea, presenting the surprise of a happier ending for the sailor than for the old lady in the song.The story is perfectly complemented by Cassandra Allen's jaunty, simple and playful illustrations, which provide a terrific source of visual clues for pre-readers looking to recognize words. The rhyming and repetition will make this a favorite read-aloud choice for storytime, as children will happily participate in reading the repeated sections, which are so easily and quickly memorized. In addition, there is a "Fishy Facts" spread at the back of the book that contains a true fact about each animal in the story (including "A blue whale can eat millions of krill a day!"), which would make for a fantastic introduction to a discussion on the size of sea creatures and the food chain.
Age
3-7
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
32 pages
Why to read
- Engaging Rhythmic Storytelling: 'There Was an Old Sailor' offers a delightful twist on the classic rhyme 'There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,' providing a rhythmic and engaging reading experience that captures the attention of children and encourages them to join in with the repetitive phrases.
- Vivid Illustrations: The book features vibrant and colorful illustrations by Cassandra Allen that bring the story to life, making it visually appealing and helping to maintain the interest of young readers as they follow the sailor's increasingly outrageous swallowing adventures.
- Vocabulary Development: As the old sailor swallows various sea creatures, the book introduces young readers to a range of marine life vocabulary, promoting language development and an interest in the natural world.
- Humorous and Surprising: The absurdity of the sailor's actions and the humorous climax provide a sense of surprise and delight, making reading a fun activity. The book's humor also offers an opportunity for parents and educators to discuss the importance of making sensible choices, even in a whimsical context.