What do you think?
Rate this book
There Was an Old...
There Was an Old Mummy Who Swallowed a Spider
From the creators of the bestselling There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog comes a spooky rendition of the popular “Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” song.
As the old mummy makes his way across a graveyard and through a haunted castle, he swallows all kinds of creepy things. From a rat to witches’ brew, and a crow to a spooky ghost, this mummy keeps swallowing and swallowing…until finally there’s a knock on the door. Trick or treat! Jennifer Ward’s fun text and Steve Gray’s zany artwork add a spooky Halloween twist to this adaptation of the popular song.
As the old mummy makes his way across a graveyard and through a haunted castle, he swallows all kinds of creepy things. From a rat to witches’ brew, and a crow to a spooky ghost, this mummy keeps swallowing and swallowing…until finally there’s a knock on the door. Trick or treat! Jennifer Ward’s fun text and Steve Gray’s zany artwork add a spooky Halloween twist to this adaptation of the popular song.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2015
94 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ward
113 books42 followersJennifer Ward is the author of more than 25 award-winning nonfiction and fiction books for children and adults.
Her books have been translated into many languages and featured in Martha Stewart's Living, Ranger Rick, on NPR, television's Animal Planet network, and on many popular blogs such as Soule Mama.
Most of Jennifer's books are inspired by science and nature and artfully combine elements of STEM & literacy.
She writes full-time from her home in Illinois where she lives with her husband and two dogs and is easily distracted by everything outside of her windows - particularly if it has feathers!
Her books have been translated into many languages and featured in Martha Stewart's Living, Ranger Rick, on NPR, television's Animal Planet network, and on many popular blogs such as Soule Mama.
Most of Jennifer's books are inspired by science and nature and artfully combine elements of STEM & literacy.
She writes full-time from her home in Illinois where she lives with her husband and two dogs and is easily distracted by everything outside of her windows - particularly if it has feathers!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 31, 2019
This is what I thought a year later (I forgot I read this already. My mind was in a different place this year.)
A Halloween Parody of ‘There was an old Woman who swallowed a spider’. The new verses are funny, but the best part of this book is the artwork. It’s somewhat spooky, but safe for kids with a great comedic bent. I love artwork like this. It comes off as more silly than spooky, but it creates the atmosphere of spooky.
The nephew loved this story. He said it wasn’t scary, but it’s very funny. He loved the witch being eaten. He said that Frankenstein should have been eaten which would have made it a better story. He gave this story 4 stars and he was able to read much of it too.
_____________________________________________________
Old Review: (see how things change in a year. I find that rather interesting. The Nephew's rating is better too. This is an interesting thing to do, re-read something and see how I like it differently. )
The art for this story reminded me of a cereal commercial for some reason. This is a spoof on ‘there was an old lady who swallowed a fly’ obviously. It is a beginner book. I’m sure the younger set would enjoy this. It was too glossy or something for me. It was fine.
The kids thought it was ok. The niece gave it 2 stars while the nephew gave it 3 stars for some of the pictures. I will say my niece was pleased that this one didn’t scare her a bit, not a bit. This is not my favorite and I’m sure this is my taste and not the books.
A Halloween Parody of ‘There was an old Woman who swallowed a spider’. The new verses are funny, but the best part of this book is the artwork. It’s somewhat spooky, but safe for kids with a great comedic bent. I love artwork like this. It comes off as more silly than spooky, but it creates the atmosphere of spooky.
The nephew loved this story. He said it wasn’t scary, but it’s very funny. He loved the witch being eaten. He said that Frankenstein should have been eaten which would have made it a better story. He gave this story 4 stars and he was able to read much of it too.
_____________________________________________________
Old Review: (see how things change in a year. I find that rather interesting. The Nephew's rating is better too. This is an interesting thing to do, re-read something and see how I like it differently. )
The art for this story reminded me of a cereal commercial for some reason. This is a spoof on ‘there was an old lady who swallowed a fly’ obviously. It is a beginner book. I’m sure the younger set would enjoy this. It was too glossy or something for me. It was fine.
The kids thought it was ok. The niece gave it 2 stars while the nephew gave it 3 stars for some of the pictures. I will say my niece was pleased that this one didn’t scare her a bit, not a bit. This is not my favorite and I’m sure this is my taste and not the books.
August 23, 2019
I absolutely love the gorgeous colors in these illustrations. The drawings are so cute and funny. One of the tombstones reads on the epitaph, "Here lies the body of my little sister, she was fine until Dracula kissed her. 1765-1780."
The story follows the theme of There was an Old Lady that Swallowed a Fly but it's about a mummy instead and the rhymes are a little different.
March 7, 2019
this will take all of 2 second ... maybe 5 to read ...but it is so so awesome ... the doodles (true art work, i never know what to call it ... illustrations are just amazing, is that a good or better word, hope so??!) point being ...such a great colorful and amazing piece of art and book material ...that both adult and kids will approve of and enjoy!! ( ;
October 31, 2015
Entertaining
My 3 year old son enjoyed this very much & it kept his attention. Very good choice that is quick & easy to read & perfect for a Halloween bedtime story. Great colorful pictures too.
My 3 year old son enjoyed this very much & it kept his attention. Very good choice that is quick & easy to read & perfect for a Halloween bedtime story. Great colorful pictures too.
July 27, 2016
Great story of a mummy who swallows that spider and the other things he swallows to get rid of it. Fantastic illustrations! Look closely at them as the are as funny as the story. Will be wonderful fun for your little one, especially at Halloween.
August 24, 2016
Funny! Thanks Nanci for finding this one!
September 6, 2018
So Fun to Read
This was an amazingly fun book to read. It is filled with rhymes and fantastic illustrations. I would recommend this book for anyone.
This was an amazingly fun book to read. It is filled with rhymes and fantastic illustrations. I would recommend this book for anyone.
October 18, 2025
This was definitely a twist from the usual Old Lady who is swallowing things. It started out really well too, but as it went on, it kind of fell apart a bit. There were a few things the mummy swallowed that could've been different and made this more interesting.
I will say, some of it did feel more cohesive near the end. Although, the warning that comes at the end was probably my favorite part. I can can see little ones getting into to this one, especially during this time of year, but I don't know if it is something they would want to hear a second time. It just wasn't as catchy as it could have been.
I will say, some of it did feel more cohesive near the end. Although, the warning that comes at the end was probably my favorite part. I can can see little ones getting into to this one, especially during this time of year, but I don't know if it is something they would want to hear a second time. It just wasn't as catchy as it could have been.
February 8, 2016
SUMMARY: This is a Halloween rendition of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. "As the old mummy makes his way across a graveyard and through a haunted castle, he swallows all kinds of creepy things. From a rat to witches’ brew, and a crow to a spooky ghost, this mummy keeps swallowing and swallowing…until finally there’s a knock on the door. Trick or treat!"
ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations were created digitally. They are colorful, fun, and larger than life. There is plenty of creativity and spooky humor such as the freaked out skeleton who loses a bone.
REVIEW: First, I must say that Halloween is NOT one of the holidays on my celebrated list. Knowing that, giving this book five stars shows how good it was! What I liked best about this book was its silly fun in a slightly creepy kind of way. Plus the story leads up to an ultimate soft scare at the end. The illustrations give this book a spooky feeling throughout, but not in a macabre way. There is just enough creepy, with humor thrown in, to give a little scare to children without scarring them for life. I loved the thread of humor throughout the book and could feel how much kids would love reading or having this book read to them for Halloween. This book has a very high interest factor for independent readers.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Advertised for ages 4-8. I wouldn't read to any younger ages unless you have a difficult to scare child.
ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations were created digitally. They are colorful, fun, and larger than life. There is plenty of creativity and spooky humor such as the freaked out skeleton who loses a bone.
REVIEW: First, I must say that Halloween is NOT one of the holidays on my celebrated list. Knowing that, giving this book five stars shows how good it was! What I liked best about this book was its silly fun in a slightly creepy kind of way. Plus the story leads up to an ultimate soft scare at the end. The illustrations give this book a spooky feeling throughout, but not in a macabre way. There is just enough creepy, with humor thrown in, to give a little scare to children without scarring them for life. I loved the thread of humor throughout the book and could feel how much kids would love reading or having this book read to them for Halloween. This book has a very high interest factor for independent readers.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Advertised for ages 4-8. I wouldn't read to any younger ages unless you have a difficult to scare child.
November 11, 2017
There Was An Old Mummy Who Swallowed a Spider by Jennifer Ward is an illustrated Halloween children’s book filled with silly rhythmic and funny words perfect for capturing any young child’s attention. In short, a mummy wakes up from his sleep and sees a spider and decides to swallow it. Throughout the story he continues to swallow an eclectic range of items and living organisms making any child squirm and squeal with skepticism and delight. With phrases like “He swallowed the ghost to scare the witch….” and “He swallowed the rate to chase the spider” the reader wonders what on Earth the mummy will swallow next. Will it be another strange item or will it perhaps be you? Definitely worth picking up for any young reader who enjoys Halloween and being silly. (4/5 stars – really liked it).
January 18, 2016
Enjoy a funny twist to an old classic. When mummy wakes up, he’s hungry! He starts with a spider and opens his mouth wider and wider until he has swallowed some pretty scary, creepy things. You may think this story is all make-believe, but as the author tells us… it’s all true. And if you’re not careful he’ll swallow YOU!
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
December 29, 2016
I have a co-worker who's obsessed with these variations on The Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly. She'll love this. And the duo of author and illustrator have more of these wacky books. What fun!
Goofy illustrations (with sickeningly green endpapers) chronicle this story of a mummy with very bad eating habits. I liked the "Open wider!" refrain. Beware or the mummy might be hungry for you next!
Goofy illustrations (with sickeningly green endpapers) chronicle this story of a mummy with very bad eating habits. I liked the "Open wider!" refrain. Beware or the mummy might be hungry for you next!
November 1, 2017
I recently bought this book from Scholastic and was super excited to read it to my students today. I love predicting what's going to happen next with my kids as I always get great answers and a lot of laughs. However, I wouldn't say this is a favourite of mine when it comes to the "Old Lady" books. The verses didn't rhyme like most of the others and it wasn't as funny either.
October 2, 2015
This is a fun, fun, book! I like the different ending, the artwork slightly reminiscent of Tedd Arnold, the large illustrations and the expressions on the characters faces.
A great sing along book!
A great sing along book!
December 10, 2015
I like it
I like it but it's not too good I think it could have some more critters and it could also use some excitement
I like it but it's not too good I think it could have some more critters and it could also use some excitement
October 20, 2016
Jennifer Ward puts a fun Halloween spin on the old classic There was an old woman who swallowed a fly. Kids will love the colorful illustrations and fun rhyme.
October 27, 2016
Fun book written on the premise of The Old Lady Who Swallowed The Spider. My grandsons loved it!
February 14, 2017
Cute and funny. Love the illustrations.
October 24, 2017
very good memory exercise
I read this book to my 3 year old who loves it. She already memorized the rhymes, its an excellent way to exercise their memory.
I read this book to my 3 year old who loves it. She already memorized the rhymes, its an excellent way to exercise their memory.
October 25, 2017
There was an...
She loved this book! Just in time to Halloween 🎃
Looking forward to more books like this for her to read!
She loved this book! Just in time to Halloween 🎃
Looking forward to more books like this for her to read!
October 28, 2017
fantastically illustrated, a fun take on the old story
October 31, 2017
Fun, follows the pattern of objects getting bigger - and has a nice ending.
November 6, 2017
Fun Halloween read aloud but the rhymes don’t always work perfectly.
November 7, 2017
Reminds me of...
A great Halloween twist on "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly."
Cute amusing illustrations. My great granddaughter shouted out the last word, "YOU!"
A great Halloween twist on "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly."
Cute amusing illustrations. My great granddaughter shouted out the last word, "YOU!"
November 14, 2017
Fun
That was a fun read for my four year old even my 12yr old enjoyed it 🤓
Thanks for sharing
That was a fun read for my four year old even my 12yr old enjoyed it 🤓
Thanks for sharing
November 15, 2017
My my the mummy tail
A delightful tail of a hungry mummy. The things he swallows, oh my.
It's a great little story. Read it to a youngster in your family.
A delightful tail of a hungry mummy. The things he swallows, oh my.
It's a great little story. Read it to a youngster in your family.
November 24, 2017
I thought the book was cute
December 5, 2017
Fun to Read
Cute illustrations and detail to read with the kids. They enjoy reading the repeated phrases and it became and instant hit!
Cute illustrations and detail to read with the kids. They enjoy reading the repeated phrases and it became and instant hit!
March 12, 2018
Adorable
My kids really like this book. We have read it at least 10 times already. The illustrations are beautifully drawn.
My kids really like this book. We have read it at least 10 times already. The illustrations are beautifully drawn.
March 17, 2018
Best kids book ever!
My kids love this book! They say it’s the best bedtime story there is! They have it memorized and request it, or more like demand it, to be read daily!
My kids love this book! They say it’s the best bedtime story there is! They have it memorized and request it, or more like demand it, to be read daily!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews