Old Macdonald's Things That Go

by Jane Clarke, Migy Blanco (Illustrator)

Old Macdonald has a farm full of animals, but what he really loves are cars... and planes... and tractors... and he has lots of them!

Even the animals get behind the wheel in this romping sing-a-long picture book, perfect for anyone who loves farmyard animals and vehicles.

Genres: Picture Books, Transport, Storytime, Animals, Childrens, Music, Trucks

Hardcover

First published April 1, 2017

About the author

See also pseudonym Hayley Daze.

Jane was born 17 December 1954 and brought up in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. From 1972 to 1975 Jane attend the University of Birmingham where she earned a combined Bachelor of Arts with honours in archaeology and history. In 1981 she completed a PhD in archaeology from University College London.

On 5 November 1977 Jane married Chemical Engineer Martin Clarke, whose work took them to Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Wales and the Netherlands. Together they raised two sons, Andrew and Robert (both born in Wales).

During her doctoral studies Jane lectured at University College London (1978–79). Thereafter she lectured at University College Cardiff in Wales part time (1981–83), and also taught history at Bryn Hafren School in Barry, Wales (1979–83). After Jane moved with her family to the Netherlands (Koewacht), she began working part time as a librarian at the Antwerp International School. It was during this time when she started her career as a children’s author.

Jane’s husband, Martin, died of a heart attack in Antwerp, Belgium on 20 December 2001. In June 2005, Jane moved from the Netherlands back to Kent (near Deal) in England where she now lives.

Aside from writing children’s books, Jane spends a significant amount of time inspiring children to read and write. She frequently visits schools throughout the UK and Europe to do so.

Jane Clarke is a team writer on three different popular series. Dinosaur Cove (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Oxford University Press), Puddle the naughtiest puppy (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Ladybird Books Ltd.) and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (created by Random House Children's Books and published by Red Fox.)

Jane has also done support work for various charitable organisations including Ellenor Lions Children’s Hospice, Institute of Cancer Research (The Clapham Grand), Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and READ (promotes reading in Africa).

Reviews

[Paige intheBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the larger size, but am not sure this story is a good combination of things.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great read aloud for a storytime. The book is quite large so easier for kids to see the pictures. Easy to sing and have the kids make all the noises of the various things that go, bike, tractor, truck etc. I like that it doesn't repeat all the sounds with each addition so it isn't as long as some renditions of the story.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

action packed variant of Old MacDonald for the transportation fan. Illustrations have an old time Little Golden Book feel. I like how the ending is a review of the refrain with all the vehicle sounds.

[Aradhna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little twist on the song that my daughter really enjoyed. With colourful illustrations and easy to follow sounds, it is perfect for call and answer type story telling with the little ones.

Full review to follow.

[Lexie Chambless]

Summary:
> Old MacDonald had many things that go. He had a bike, truck, tractor, combine harvester, bus, boat, digger, fire truck, train, and a plane. All the different things made different sounds and had different jobs. All of Old MacDonald’s helped him with his different things.

Personal Thoughts:
> I think this is a very cute and colorful child’s book. Every page was different and used a lot of colors. I love how it’s another version of Old MacDonald Had a Farm.

Classroom Ideas:
> I would definitely have this book in my classroom. I’m not sure if I would read it to my class, but if I did it would be when we are learning about animals and different kinds of sounds and machines.

[San Diego Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Michele Lawrence for San Diego Book Review

It's hard to bring new life into a possibly tired classic, but Jane Clarke instills new life into the beloved Old MacDonald had a Farm rhyme with 'Old MacDonald's Things That Go'. She updates the rhyme using different vehicles: a bus, a plane, and even a combine harvester! Full-page illustrations of MacDonald's vehicles and farm friends by Migy Blanco make up the book and are fantastic, bright, and fun.

You can read this entire review and others like it at San Diego Book Review.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

The familiar song takes on things that go on the farm. Colorful illustrations accompany this little than larger size picture book that not only highlights mode of transportation like a bike, bus, and an airplane, but also includes a tractor and a combine harvester. Old Macdonald also has a digger, to complete those favorite motorized items. He is accompanied by many farm animals, who also operate the things that go.
It can be sung or just a read aloud. The song’s third line is a little different than the traditional E-I-E-I-O, there is the line “He loved things that go! Which is a little harder to put into the song.
Pre-Kindergarten
Written
AD

[Zoe Hickey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book have been carefully thought through. It can also be sung, which makes it a quick book so could be used nicely as a time filler, for example a three minute gap before assembly.

It would be an interactive book for children as they can sing along too and with younger children you can get them to guess what noise the next thing is going to make.

As an activity for a class they could design their own page to the book, including illustrations and a new sound. This would be good to do with children in reception early on in the term to get them interacting with books and thinking about their own ideas and being creative.

[Kristi Betts · Rating 3 out of 5]

The traditional song of “Old MacDonald” has been recreated with different forms of
transportation in this large format picture book (11.5” x 11.5”). The digitally created illustrations by Migy Blanco have a retro vibe. They make me think of some of the illustrations from the old Golden Books. Old MacDonald shows off all of the different vehicles on his farm (tractor, digger, even a train). This might be a good way to introduce transportation to young students. It might also be a way to talk about the farm and the believability factor of all of these vehicles being on MacDonald’s farm.

[Mister David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big picture book with a text adapted and varied from the traditional folk song. Not only is the farmer pictured with all of his animals, but with all of his farm vehicles as well! Includes a bike, a truck, a tractor, a combine harvester (!), a bus, a boat, a digger, a plane, a fire truck, and (of course) a train. Each vehicle makes a different sound. The farm animals are delightful driving the different vehicles. It is easy and natural to sing the text of the book to the traditional tune.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The traditional song of Old MacDonald Had a Farm takes a new twist when we find out all the sounds of Old MacDonald’s vehicles. His truck, tractor, boat, combine harvester, airplane and more.

It was a lot of fun learning all the names and then finding them again (and again) at the end of the book. The illustrations are reminiscent of the picturebooks from the 1940s-1950s. Well done! Loved it.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarke, Jane Old MacDonald’s Things That Go, illustrated by Migy Blanco. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2017. $15.99. Content: G.
It was a lot of fun learning all the names and then finding them again (and again) at the end of the book. The illustrations are reminiscent of the picturebooks from the 1940s-1950s. Well done! Loved it.
EL (K-3) Essential Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Macdonald's Things that go is an an entertaining book to read with the vehicle enthusiast age 2 - 5 in your home. Jane Clarke and Migy Blanco have teamed up on an energetic text and vibrantly illustrated book that will surely tickle your fancy. The text is perfectly rhymed for singing and the illustrations contain so many stories within a story to discuss! This is a wonderful selection for story time or lap time with your favorite little person.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I LOVE the illustrations that Blanco drew for this story! It's bright, the animals are cute, and all the things that go are spot on. Secondly, I love the "twist" of the original Old Macdonald. The toddlers are going to love making the sounds of the "Things that Go" during story time. I had fun reading this aloud to myself! LOL. Such a great book that I would totally add to my own personal picture book collection. Great for every library!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is physically huge and therefore a little harder for lap read aloud. Great addition to a classic song though with a bike, truck, tractor, combine harvester, bus, boat, digger, fire truck, train, and a plane. The final sing through with ALL the things that go have animals driving them while Old Macdonald is in the plane above, cute book.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dare you to try and read this book without singing it. This is a fun, original take on Old MacDonald...but with a variety of vehicles. The story felt surprising and fresh, ideal for storytimes with littles!

Themes: farms, vehicles/things that go, a book you can sing
Ages: toddler-1st grade
Pub year: 2017

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright and cheery illustrations top off this transportation themed variant of the old song. A bike, bus, train, boat, truck, and plane are among the vehicles whose appropriate sounds are featured, along with the refrain "He loved things that go!" Preschoolers and K's will love it too.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story Time

Ages: 2-3

Theme: Transportation/Things that Go

A bit long for my kids, especially with trying to sing it. There were a lot of things that go on Old MacDonald's farm and some of the things didn't need to be. But it was fun overall

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A celebration of things that go set on Old MacDonald's farm. The text could easily be sung or read aloud, and the charming digital illustrations make this a fun read for PreK-2.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wordy but appealing.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fun!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. Traditional song but things that go. I know my story time kids will love this one.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh take on a classic and I loved the nostalgic feel to the illustrations!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Nosy Crow books. This is super cute. A new way to sing an old song.

[Lkking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great extension of Old MacDonald for little ones - especially the ones who love tractors, cars, planes, bikes and more.

[Vanessa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading this book out loud!

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An very fun rendition of Old Macdonald Had a Farm only with a variety of different vehicles.

Fun illustrations!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous, vintage illustrations. A little long, but should work well in storytime.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The classic old mcdonald song set to a new theme of contruction vehicles. Cute. preschool and up

[Kristen Thorp · Rating 4 out of 5]

103/365