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Miss Mary Mack
A lively picture book adaptation of the well-known children's hand-clapping rhyme, perfect for the whole family.
Everyone knows some version of this popular children's hand-clapping rhyme, but in this adaptation, the elephant's fateful jump over the fence is just the beginning of the fun. Popular children's author Mary Ann Hoberman has elaborated on this well known tale to create an absurdly funny story children will want to sing, chant, read, and clap to again and again.
Everyone knows some version of this popular children's hand-clapping rhyme, but in this adaptation, the elephant's fateful jump over the fence is just the beginning of the fun. Popular children's author Mary Ann Hoberman has elaborated on this well known tale to create an absurdly funny story children will want to sing, chant, read, and clap to again and again.
24 pages, Board Book
First published January 1, 1998
7 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
About the author
Mary Ann Hoberman
77 books94 followersMary Ann Hoberman was an American author of over 30 children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
June 12, 2025
2025
2021
I remember singing this song when I was a kid and I'm really excited to own the book for my future children to be able to read and sing along with me!
2021
I remember singing this song when I was a kid and I'm really excited to own the book for my future children to be able to read and sing along with me!
December 10, 2018
1. Due to many versions of this story, I could not find any awards for this specific book.
2. This book is appropriate from grades Pre-K to Second Grade.
3. Miss Mary Mack by Mary Ann Hoberman is a zany story and song about a girl named Miss Mary Mack who asks her mom for fifty cents to see an elephant jump over a fence. The elephant jumped so high that he didn't land from the jump until the Fourth of July. When he landed, he fell right into Miss Mary Mack's backyard and she was able to convince the elephant to keep him.
4. This song/book is one of the more catchier songs from my childhood. The story is absolutely ridiculous and will definitely make younger children laugh. The nostalgia that I associate with this book/song definitely makes it worthwhile, although it can have the tendency to get annoying.
5. I would use this book in the classroom to teach children how to identify rhymes. Since this book is a song, I would sing it and have my students clap every time they hear a rhyme. I would also use this book in an unconventional way in which I would read/sing the book backward with my students to show that rhymes are interchangeable.
2. This book is appropriate from grades Pre-K to Second Grade.
3. Miss Mary Mack by Mary Ann Hoberman is a zany story and song about a girl named Miss Mary Mack who asks her mom for fifty cents to see an elephant jump over a fence. The elephant jumped so high that he didn't land from the jump until the Fourth of July. When he landed, he fell right into Miss Mary Mack's backyard and she was able to convince the elephant to keep him.
4. This song/book is one of the more catchier songs from my childhood. The story is absolutely ridiculous and will definitely make younger children laugh. The nostalgia that I associate with this book/song definitely makes it worthwhile, although it can have the tendency to get annoying.
5. I would use this book in the classroom to teach children how to identify rhymes. Since this book is a song, I would sing it and have my students clap every time they hear a rhyme. I would also use this book in an unconventional way in which I would read/sing the book backward with my students to show that rhymes are interchangeable.
March 1, 2017
This book has no awards. would say it is for grade PreK- 3RD Grade
This is a book based off the original Miss Mary Mack Nursery Rhyme. The author does change some of the words from what I remember them being. The book includes very colorful illustrations that add to the story.
This book is a fun nursery rhyme book. It includes the hand motions for the whole thing. While it is a little different than I remember of the nursery rhyme, it still follows the tune and is a lot of fun. The Illustrations are very well done.
Activities in the classroom could be having them pair up and do the hand motions together as they read the rhyme. It is great for working on rhythm. This could also be used for working on phonics. Having students find the sounds that are the same and figuring out what letter is making the sound. (i.e Ask what sound are they hearing that is similar in these words Miss Mary Mack. When they find the sound then ask what letter it is that is making that sound. In this instance M.)
This is a book based off the original Miss Mary Mack Nursery Rhyme. The author does change some of the words from what I remember them being. The book includes very colorful illustrations that add to the story.
This book is a fun nursery rhyme book. It includes the hand motions for the whole thing. While it is a little different than I remember of the nursery rhyme, it still follows the tune and is a lot of fun. The Illustrations are very well done.
Activities in the classroom could be having them pair up and do the hand motions together as they read the rhyme. It is great for working on rhythm. This could also be used for working on phonics. Having students find the sounds that are the same and figuring out what letter is making the sound. (i.e Ask what sound are they hearing that is similar in these words Miss Mary Mack. When they find the sound then ask what letter it is that is making that sound. In this instance M.)
April 1, 2019
1. There are many different versions of this book, but I could not find a medal for this one.
2. Pre K-2nd grade
3. Miss Mary Mack plays off of the popular children's hand clapping song but this story by Mary Ann Hoberman does it a little different. We follow the story of Miss Mary Mack as she asks her mom for 50 cents to see the elephant jump over the fence. The elephant ends up jumping so high that he doesn't land until the fourth of July, in Miss Mary Mack'a back yard. She will then beg and plead to keep the elephant.
4. This book is very nostalgic for me as I remember loving this rhyme and clapping along to it everyday with my friends. The rendition presented by Hoberman brings in humorous aspects that will have children laughing as it is read.
5. I think this book could be a great example when looking into rhyming that goes on in some songs. Children can take turns identifying different rhyming words throughout the book and even take turns thinking of their own rhyming words to make their own book, or a classroom book similar to Miss Mary Mack
2. Pre K-2nd grade
3. Miss Mary Mack plays off of the popular children's hand clapping song but this story by Mary Ann Hoberman does it a little different. We follow the story of Miss Mary Mack as she asks her mom for 50 cents to see the elephant jump over the fence. The elephant ends up jumping so high that he doesn't land until the fourth of July, in Miss Mary Mack'a back yard. She will then beg and plead to keep the elephant.
4. This book is very nostalgic for me as I remember loving this rhyme and clapping along to it everyday with my friends. The rendition presented by Hoberman brings in humorous aspects that will have children laughing as it is read.
5. I think this book could be a great example when looking into rhyming that goes on in some songs. Children can take turns identifying different rhyming words throughout the book and even take turns thinking of their own rhyming words to make their own book, or a classroom book similar to Miss Mary Mack
October 23, 2017
This book is appropriate for Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Miss Mary Mack (Paperback) by Mary Ann Hoberman is a wonderful little book that children are going to love to sing along to. Its about a girl who befriends an elephant and she tells us a story. Throughout the story she always repeats at least one word three times!
I love this book! I remember growing up and just singing this song all the time during car rides. I even remember coming up with a clapping game to go along with the song! I never knew that there was a whole book to it and I am just so happy that I found out that there is one!
You could use this book at the end of the day. At the end of the day all the students could gather in a circle and listen to the book and sing along; a good way to close off the day. You could also use it to focus on key words that Miss Mary Mack repeats over and over again and have class discussions on the meaning of those words.
Miss Mary Mack (Paperback) by Mary Ann Hoberman is a wonderful little book that children are going to love to sing along to. Its about a girl who befriends an elephant and she tells us a story. Throughout the story she always repeats at least one word three times!
I love this book! I remember growing up and just singing this song all the time during car rides. I even remember coming up with a clapping game to go along with the song! I never knew that there was a whole book to it and I am just so happy that I found out that there is one!
You could use this book at the end of the day. At the end of the day all the students could gather in a circle and listen to the book and sing along; a good way to close off the day. You could also use it to focus on key words that Miss Mary Mack repeats over and over again and have class discussions on the meaning of those words.
October 24, 2017
Award(s): N/A
Grade: Birth-Kindergarten
Summary: This hugely popular book is the timeless tale of Miss Mary Mack who asks her mother for 50 cents to see an elephant jump over the fence. Throughout the book she goes on many adventures with the elephant. At the end of the story when the elephant must go back, Miss Mary Mack convinces him to stay instead.
Review: I think this book would be a fantastic addition to any classroom. As a child, my friends and I would sing this fun and silly song all the time and use it to play hand games or chant it while jumping rope. Throughout the book there is a repeating pattern that makes it easy for children to follow, learn, and sing along with.
In Class Use: This book can be used as a fun bonding exercise where students clap and sing along together the story of Miss Mary Mack and her elephant friend. It could also be used as an example during a lesson on poetry taking note where rhyming, alliteration, and repetition appear in the text.
Grade: Birth-Kindergarten
Summary: This hugely popular book is the timeless tale of Miss Mary Mack who asks her mother for 50 cents to see an elephant jump over the fence. Throughout the book she goes on many adventures with the elephant. At the end of the story when the elephant must go back, Miss Mary Mack convinces him to stay instead.
Review: I think this book would be a fantastic addition to any classroom. As a child, my friends and I would sing this fun and silly song all the time and use it to play hand games or chant it while jumping rope. Throughout the book there is a repeating pattern that makes it easy for children to follow, learn, and sing along with.
In Class Use: This book can be used as a fun bonding exercise where students clap and sing along together the story of Miss Mary Mack and her elephant friend. It could also be used as an example during a lesson on poetry taking note where rhyming, alliteration, and repetition appear in the text.
October 28, 2018
1. Awards: None
2. Grade level(s): Pre-K – 1st
3. Original summary: In this extended version of the classic school yard chant, Mary entertains a jumping elephant. After the elephant jumps the fence and returns (creating an elephant shaped hole on the ground), Mary becomes smitten with him. She convinces the elephant to live with her in exchange for peanut tea, hay, and her silver buttons.
4. Original review: Your life isn’t complete until you finally learn the true ending to “Miss Mary Mack, Mack Mack.” Follow along with this silly and inventive song, that is sure to have your child(ren) chanting the repetitive words. Enjoy illustrations that have boundless details that unveil themselves with every revisit.
5. In-class uses:
• Pair students off and have them ‘clap’ each syllable in the first stanza
• Identify some word families and come up with additional words
2. Grade level(s): Pre-K – 1st
3. Original summary: In this extended version of the classic school yard chant, Mary entertains a jumping elephant. After the elephant jumps the fence and returns (creating an elephant shaped hole on the ground), Mary becomes smitten with him. She convinces the elephant to live with her in exchange for peanut tea, hay, and her silver buttons.
4. Original review: Your life isn’t complete until you finally learn the true ending to “Miss Mary Mack, Mack Mack.” Follow along with this silly and inventive song, that is sure to have your child(ren) chanting the repetitive words. Enjoy illustrations that have boundless details that unveil themselves with every revisit.
5. In-class uses:
• Pair students off and have them ‘clap’ each syllable in the first stanza
• Identify some word families and come up with additional words
October 16, 2017
Awards the book has received: n/a
Appropriate grade level(s): Birth-kindergarten
Summary: This book is a classic song about Miss Mary Mack who asks her mother for 50 cents to play with an elephant. Miss Mary Mack and her elephant friend go on adventures and play games as the story progresses. When the zoo keeper tries to take the elephant back, Miss Mary Mack convinces the elephant to stay.
Review: This is a great book to engage young children in a classroom activity or dance. It has hard pages which is good for really young readers learning how to handle a book. The repeating pattern makes this book very easy for children to follow and sing along to.
Possible in-class uses:
-Rhyming
-What can we buy for 50 cents?
-Classroom game
Appropriate grade level(s): Birth-kindergarten
Summary: This book is a classic song about Miss Mary Mack who asks her mother for 50 cents to play with an elephant. Miss Mary Mack and her elephant friend go on adventures and play games as the story progresses. When the zoo keeper tries to take the elephant back, Miss Mary Mack convinces the elephant to stay.
Review: This is a great book to engage young children in a classroom activity or dance. It has hard pages which is good for really young readers learning how to handle a book. The repeating pattern makes this book very easy for children to follow and sing along to.
Possible in-class uses:
-Rhyming
-What can we buy for 50 cents?
-Classroom game
March 13, 2019
Grade level is pre-k to 1st. This exciting picture book tells and illustrates one of the most well-known nursery rhymes and songs. The book follows the interesting story of Miss Mary Mack and the elephant who jumped the fence. The book ends with buttons all down elephants trunk. I loved the illustrations and the repetition of the book. From beginning to end the book keeps it's sing-song rhythm. It's impossible to read this book without singing along. This is another great book to sing along with children in the classroom. It helps them develop their phonemic awareness, and as they read it helps them learns phonics with all the repetitive text. It's also a great book for children to sing and clap along to to help them keep the beat.
December 2, 2017
1. None.
2. Pre k- Kindergarten.
3. Miss Mary Mack is a little girl who is dressed in black, who wants to play with an elephant. She asks her mother for money and she spends the day playing with the elephant. They have so much fun together, that they did not want it to end.
4. As a child, I remember singing this fun song all the time and use it to play hand games or sing it while jumping rope. Throughout the book there is a repeating pattern that makes it easy for children to follow, learn, and sing along with.
5. Have the students learn the "patty-cake" dance to go along with the story and have them do it with a partner, think of possible things they can do or get with 50 cents.
2. Pre k- Kindergarten.
3. Miss Mary Mack is a little girl who is dressed in black, who wants to play with an elephant. She asks her mother for money and she spends the day playing with the elephant. They have so much fun together, that they did not want it to end.
4. As a child, I remember singing this fun song all the time and use it to play hand games or sing it while jumping rope. Throughout the book there is a repeating pattern that makes it easy for children to follow, learn, and sing along with.
5. Have the students learn the "patty-cake" dance to go along with the story and have them do it with a partner, think of possible things they can do or get with 50 cents.
May 19, 2018
My almost three year old daughter loooooves this book! I picked it up because I remembered the rhyme from my childhood. The first time I read it to her, I read it in the tune that I remembered. She wanted it read the next night and the next night and the next night. Then Daddy was tucking her in and she wanted Miss Mary Mack. She did not approve of his reading so I was called to read it. First thing she said when I got up to her bed...”not like daddy do it, please.”
She absolutely adores this book. She repeats some of the lines randomly throughout the day now. It has become a bedtime staple!
She absolutely adores this book. She repeats some of the lines randomly throughout the day now. It has become a bedtime staple!
April 8, 2019
Grade Level: First Grade
Summary: This is the story of Miss Mary Mack and how she got an elephant. At the beginning of the book there is a hand game that goes along with the song of the book.
Review: I remember singing this song with my friends when I was little, but actually reading the story was so much fun. I love the images that go along with the words too.
In my classroom I would teach my students how to do then hand motions with a partner like it is instructed at the beginning.
I would also use this song as a transition so for children to know how much time they have left to complete an assignment.
Summary: This is the story of Miss Mary Mack and how she got an elephant. At the beginning of the book there is a hand game that goes along with the song of the book.
Review: I remember singing this song with my friends when I was little, but actually reading the story was so much fun. I love the images that go along with the words too.
In my classroom I would teach my students how to do then hand motions with a partner like it is instructed at the beginning.
I would also use this song as a transition so for children to know how much time they have left to complete an assignment.
April 26, 2020
In this adaptation of this fun hand clapping rhyme most of us learned in elementary school, a fun twist is added. An elephant is trying to muster up courage to jump a fence in this interactive book for young readers.
This book has a lyric feel to it since it is supposed to be sung as a song. The entire thing rhymes as far as Miss Mary Mack goes. The lyric undertone helps with the flow of the story.
Since this book is interactive it encourages clapping. Which means it wants the child to create their own onomatopoeia, this is such a fun
twist and make children way more interested in the reading that may or may not even feel like reading!
This book has a lyric feel to it since it is supposed to be sung as a song. The entire thing rhymes as far as Miss Mary Mack goes. The lyric undertone helps with the flow of the story.
Since this book is interactive it encourages clapping. Which means it wants the child to create their own onomatopoeia, this is such a fun
twist and make children way more interested in the reading that may or may not even feel like reading!
January 27, 2024
This book is the song of Miss Mary Mack. The front portion of the book teaches you how to do the hand clapping game while the last pages offer a couple of fun activities. I like the ones about the Fourth of July and finding different ways to make fifty cents as learning activities.
The book for me felt awkward to read because of the repeated words but it gave my four year old the opportunity to read. I would read the first time the repeated word appeared and would point out different letters and how the next word was the same. He was so excited to realize he could recognize the words by watching as I pointed and read, and then comparing to find that they are the same.
The book for me felt awkward to read because of the repeated words but it gave my four year old the opportunity to read. I would read the first time the repeated word appeared and would point out different letters and how the next word was the same. He was so excited to realize he could recognize the words by watching as I pointed and read, and then comparing to find that they are the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2019
Miss Mary Mack is an old tale about a little girl that asks her mother for fifty cents to see an elephant jump over then fence. As the story continues Miss Mary Mack and the elephant go on and do many fun adventures but as the day comes to an end the elephant has to go back, Miss Mary Mack asks a huge question. She, ask the elephant to stay and he will also get buttons. So he decides to stay and now they both have buttons.Such a fun book to read to all age of students. Definitely, a must-have in your classroom library.
Read
December 1, 20201. No awards given.
2. Pre-k through 1st grade level.
3. This story is about Miss Mary Mack and how she paid fifty cents to see an elephant jump over the fence! The story is a fun song that includes hand motions!
4. This story is perfect from rhythm and phonemic awareness! It also works on motor skills as the song has a hand motion game to it! Perfect for younger students!
5. This can be used within a classroom as something you use as a transition. For example, before the students go to snack they must play a game of Miss Mary Mack with a friend. This builds phonological awareness!
2. Pre-k through 1st grade level.
3. This story is about Miss Mary Mack and how she paid fifty cents to see an elephant jump over the fence! The story is a fun song that includes hand motions!
4. This story is perfect from rhythm and phonemic awareness! It also works on motor skills as the song has a hand motion game to it! Perfect for younger students!
5. This can be used within a classroom as something you use as a transition. For example, before the students go to snack they must play a game of Miss Mary Mack with a friend. This builds phonological awareness!
October 16, 2017
1). Awards the book has received: none
2). Appropriate grade levels: preschool-2nd grade
3). Original 3-line summary: This song book is about a girl named Miss Mary Mack who is dressed all in black and asks her mom for 50 cents. Then, she watches an elephant jump over a fence. When the elephant’s keeper wants to take him away, Mary bargains with the man to let the elephant stay.
4). Original 3-line review: This book contains a lot of humor that a lot of children will enjoy. It is a fun, catchy song that everyone would want to sing along. The words are simple, and the illustrations are very cute.
5). 2-3 possible in-class uses: One possible in-class use is incorporating the book during transitions. This book contains a lot of hand and body motion, so this would be perfect to use during transition. Another in-class use is teaching children about rhyming. This book has many examples of rhyming, and teachers can use this book for a lesson on rhyming.
2). Appropriate grade levels: preschool-2nd grade
3). Original 3-line summary: This song book is about a girl named Miss Mary Mack who is dressed all in black and asks her mom for 50 cents. Then, she watches an elephant jump over a fence. When the elephant’s keeper wants to take him away, Mary bargains with the man to let the elephant stay.
4). Original 3-line review: This book contains a lot of humor that a lot of children will enjoy. It is a fun, catchy song that everyone would want to sing along. The words are simple, and the illustrations are very cute.
5). 2-3 possible in-class uses: One possible in-class use is incorporating the book during transitions. This book contains a lot of hand and body motion, so this would be perfect to use during transition. Another in-class use is teaching children about rhyming. This book has many examples of rhyming, and teachers can use this book for a lesson on rhyming.
April 26, 2018
1. (none)
2. Birth-Kindergarten
3. This fun book features Miss Mary Mack, a young girl who starts out her adventures by asking her mother for 50 cents to watch an elephant jump over a fence!
4. I remember learning the song when I was young, but I never knew there was a book that went with it. This book has so many cute pictures, and I love how easy it is to follow.
5. This book can be used to teach rhyming as well as a fun class-community building exercise for song and dance.
2. Birth-Kindergarten
3. This fun book features Miss Mary Mack, a young girl who starts out her adventures by asking her mother for 50 cents to watch an elephant jump over a fence!
4. I remember learning the song when I was young, but I never knew there was a book that went with it. This book has so many cute pictures, and I love how easy it is to follow.
5. This book can be used to teach rhyming as well as a fun class-community building exercise for song and dance.
Read
November 18, 2021Perfect book for young children to read aloud as they are working on their reading skills. Every sentence has repetition and it is read in a sing-song voice. It is a story with a lot of animals and lots of pictures for children to look at. I recommend having a parent or someone older with good fluency skills read it first aloud then have the child read aloud after. This is great for learning sounds and tone while reading.
October 13, 2017
Have you ever heard the 'Mary Mack' nursery rhyme? Well if you enjoyed it then this story is for you! Every page, word after word, this rhyme is told and illustrated for a parent or caregiver to read to another generation.
I can personally remember clapping out this tune with my friends when I was younger, and now my children go around the house humming the popular song to themselves.
I can personally remember clapping out this tune with my friends when I was younger, and now my children go around the house humming the popular song to themselves.
July 22, 2019
Another delightful book that takes a well-known children's rhyme and sets it into a beautifully illustrated picture book to further the children's understanding of the narrative. The book includes the written tune and instructions on the clapping game so the children can sing and clap along to any read-aloud sessions.
October 1, 2019
This is a great book for young children. It has rhyming throughout the book. Miss Mary Mack asks her mom for fifty cents to see an elephant jump over a fence. The story continues to to rhyme throughout. It has very vivid and vibrant illustrations throughout the book. This is a fun book for young children.
October 1, 2019
Who has ever been able to convince an elephant to be kept? Miss Mary Mack does just that after asking her mom for fifty cents to watch an elephant jump over a fence. This book is filled with ending rhyming words and it is great to read and then continue with a brain breaks by doing the famous clap song.
October 2, 2019
Miss Mary Mack is a great book to teach phonemic awareness, specifically rhyming. The book follows an old nursery rhyme that also has a clapping game to go with it. The clapping game gets children actively involved in the story and crossing the midline to stimulate communication between both hemispheres of the brain.
October 29, 2019
This book is a great book for children to sing along with and learn how to rhyme words. The story is about a girl who has a friend thats an elephant and she tells a story. In the story the author repeats words three times so that the children can hear that the words rhyme. This book can engage the students by having them clap every time this hear a rhyming word.
April 24, 2019
A picture book version of the children's song, but waaaaay longer. Lots of extra verses. Not too long, though - the children loved it. They were clapping along the whole time. Great pictures, great song.
September 26, 2019
Miss Mary Mack would be a great rhyming book for kindergarten's. This book can be used for many educational purposes for example, clapping your hands to the tune while singing the rhyme. Young children would definitely enjoy it.
September 28, 2019
If you remember jumping rope or clapping hands to this fun sing-songy rhyme, you'll love the book version too. The book brings to life characters in the rhyme with bright, colorful illustrations. It's good for a wide variety of ages.
*Teach hand clapping with book for a mid-line activity.*
*Teach hand clapping with book for a mid-line activity.*
October 1, 2019
This book is cute and good to teach Phonological Awareness! It was also very catchy. This book would also be good to do the hand motions (clap and slap your knees) game with a partner. I will definitely be getting this book for my classroom.
October 2, 2019
Miss Mary Mack is a great book to show to children to help them understand phonics! They are able to sing thing book or just simply read it. I have not been able to get this book out of my head since the day it was read to me!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews