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To Market, to Market
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig . . . What’s a poor shopper to do when her groceries have a mind of their own? The lively rhymes and innovative artwork make for a perfect lap-sized board book.
34 pages, Board Book
First published January 1, 1997
11 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Anne Miranda
120 books17 followersI am a freelance writer of books and educational materials for very young children. I'm represented by Ron Zollshan at Kirchoff/Wohlberg in Ct.
I have been published by: Addison-Wesley, Boyds Mill Press, Bradbury Press, Bricks (Korea) BridgeWater Books, Bt Bound, EP Dutton, Harcourt Brace & Company, Hampton-Brown, Heinemann (Fauntas & Pinnell) Holt, Houghton Mifflin, Hyperion, Joy Street Books, Laidlaw, Little Brown, LB Kids, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, McGraw Hill School Division, Modern Curriculum Press, Newbridge Educational Publishing, Nutmeg Media, Options Publishing, Perfection Learning, Scholastic, Scott Foresman, Silver Burdett and Ginn, Simon & Schuster, Steck-Vaughn, Troll Medallion, Turtle Books, Turtleback Books, The Rowland Reading Foundation, Time Life Books for Children, Voyager, and William H Sadlier Inc.
I have been published by: Addison-Wesley, Boyds Mill Press, Bradbury Press, Bricks (Korea) BridgeWater Books, Bt Bound, EP Dutton, Harcourt Brace & Company, Hampton-Brown, Heinemann (Fauntas & Pinnell) Holt, Houghton Mifflin, Hyperion, Joy Street Books, Laidlaw, Little Brown, LB Kids, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, McGraw Hill School Division, Modern Curriculum Press, Newbridge Educational Publishing, Nutmeg Media, Options Publishing, Perfection Learning, Scholastic, Scott Foresman, Silver Burdett and Ginn, Simon & Schuster, Steck-Vaughn, Troll Medallion, Turtle Books, Turtleback Books, The Rowland Reading Foundation, Time Life Books for Children, Voyager, and William H Sadlier Inc.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
January 9, 2009
My favorite part is when the lamb ends up in the dishwasher.
November 6, 2014
“To Market, To Market,” is a brilliantly illustrated book that captures children’s attention immediately. The sing-song, rhyming pattern makes this story enjoyable to read and entertaining to listen to.
The story is about an old lady going to the market to buy different animals. As a reader, we are not exactly sure what she is going to do with all of these animals. It is inferred that she may possibly eat them, but the poor old lady can’t keep all of these animals under control under her roof. Then the old lady goes back to the market with all of the animals by her side and she shops for a whole mess of vegetables and decides to make hot soup for lunch.
I can not emphasize enough how wonderful the illustrations are in the picture book. Young children, kindergarten or first graders, will be completed entranced and entertained studying the pictures and finding the animals in the most peculiar places. They will be giggling and rhyming all at the same time.
July 20, 2017
This is a fun, silly book. It's slightly over some preschoolers heads, though. Still, most of them seem to get it and enjoy it.
October 8, 2018
This was the favorite of the books I read to Alena this morning. It made me laugh out loud. I particularly like the illustrations. I will definitely look for more books by the illustrator.
June 2, 2016
To Market, To Market is a funny parody of a traditional nursery rhyme. The book begins with the words of the traditional rhyme, but the illustrations immediately give the reader a clue about the wacky nature of the book. The first page shows an old woman dressed in many bright colors pushing a grocery cart that really can’t contain the fat, pink pig that she plans to purchase. After the first page, the words deviate from the traditional rhyme. The old lady returns to the market repeatedly, each time picking up one live animal and returning to increasing chaos in her kitchen.
Anne Miranda’s simple, rhyming text depends heavily on Janet Stevens’ clever illustrations. The illustrations are a mix of painting, drawing, and collage, and they help tell the story of the poor old woman’s shopping struggles very effectively. Stevens uses black and white photos of a market and of a kitchen to create collage backgrounds throughout the book. The brightly colored old woman and animals stand out against the background, highlighting their importance in the story. Each time the old woman returns to the market to fetch a new animal, that animal stares directly at the reader from the bottom left corner of the page, as if inviting the reader to join in the upcoming mischief.
In the end, the woman devises a scheme to try to tame the chaos. It seems like a good solution, but the wordless last page shows the old woman and all of the animals sleeping in a heap on the floor of the rather messy kitchen. This leaves the reader wondering what will happen next.
Anne Miranda’s simple, rhyming text depends heavily on Janet Stevens’ clever illustrations. The illustrations are a mix of painting, drawing, and collage, and they help tell the story of the poor old woman’s shopping struggles very effectively. Stevens uses black and white photos of a market and of a kitchen to create collage backgrounds throughout the book. The brightly colored old woman and animals stand out against the background, highlighting their importance in the story. Each time the old woman returns to the market to fetch a new animal, that animal stares directly at the reader from the bottom left corner of the page, as if inviting the reader to join in the upcoming mischief.
In the end, the woman devises a scheme to try to tame the chaos. It seems like a good solution, but the wordless last page shows the old woman and all of the animals sleeping in a heap on the floor of the rather messy kitchen. This leaves the reader wondering what will happen next.
November 26, 2018
Goofy book told in rhyme for preschool/KDG crowd about a little old lady who goes to the market to buy a bunch of farm animals. The illustrations are crazy good....so much to look at that you can read it over and over and find something new on each page every time. Who knew farm animals could have so much fun being naughty.
December 13, 2008
Decided I had to upgrade this one. It's grown on me, since we read it about 103 times a day. And it promotes a vegetarian lifestyle, which is always a good thing.
September 13, 2018
Ahhh.. memory lane!
Another book that my children adored when they were quite small-- I would guess that they were somewhere between 2-5 when this one made them crack up.
December 14, 2019
Such a fresh take on an old classic.
May 24, 2024
Brod fav. Fin likes too
February 8, 2009
This book is one of my and my son's (3 years) favorite books. I was astonished to see that it is not on the list. The author is from Boulder, CO which is local for us and we grabbed it from the library. We have probably read it 50 times and checked it out from the library 2 times.
The illustrations are hilarious and make both of use laugh out loud every time! That coupled with the fun rhymes make this an absolutely enjoyable book. The story and pictures inspire imagination and expose a hilarious view of everyday human and animal behavior that is often lacking in most fantastical and imaginative children's works. I love the part when the women breaks down in frustration from animals running all over her house, particularly the use of the word 'cranky'. It reminds me of my mom! We also love the lamb in the dishwasher and the goat carrying a trout in a bucket. I can't imagine a child that wouldn't ask to hear (and see) this one again and again.
The illustrations are hilarious and make both of use laugh out loud every time! That coupled with the fun rhymes make this an absolutely enjoyable book. The story and pictures inspire imagination and expose a hilarious view of everyday human and animal behavior that is often lacking in most fantastical and imaginative children's works. I love the part when the women breaks down in frustration from animals running all over her house, particularly the use of the word 'cranky'. It reminds me of my mom! We also love the lamb in the dishwasher and the goat carrying a trout in a bucket. I can't imagine a child that wouldn't ask to hear (and see) this one again and again.
May 24, 2013
The old rhyme (for those who didn't grow up with it) went like this:
"To market, to market,
To buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again,
Jiggety-jig".
The rhyme has further verses involving other animals that we infer are to be eaten, or produce something we may eat. Miranda takes it to a whole new (and vegetarian) level, but you don't have to be a vegetarian to find this book hysterically funny.
There is not much text on each page, and so it is suited to toddlers, but it could also be used beneath a document camera in the classroom to teach theme or author's purpose.
The illustrations are full page feasts unto themselves, and if your child decides this is the "it" book that you have to read again and again, you will find enough detail to keep your attention as well as any picture book I can imagine. Great fun!
"To market, to market,
To buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again,
Jiggety-jig".
The rhyme has further verses involving other animals that we infer are to be eaten, or produce something we may eat. Miranda takes it to a whole new (and vegetarian) level, but you don't have to be a vegetarian to find this book hysterically funny.
There is not much text on each page, and so it is suited to toddlers, but it could also be used beneath a document camera in the classroom to teach theme or author's purpose.
The illustrations are full page feasts unto themselves, and if your child decides this is the "it" book that you have to read again and again, you will find enough detail to keep your attention as well as any picture book I can imagine. Great fun!
April 21, 2012
The old "to market, to market" nursery rhyme gets a delightful and animal-friendly update.
An older woman visits her local market and brings home a succession of farm animals--ranging from a goose to a cow. After the mischievous critters wreck havoc on her home, the woman returns to the market--to buy all of the ingredients for a hearty vegetable soup to prepare for herself and her new friends!
The old nursery rhyme upon which this is based is, of course, a story about buying live animals at an open market to take home for slaughter. But To Market, To Market instead gently presents the idea of animals as friends instead of food and depicts a delicious vegetarian meal being prepared.
An older woman visits her local market and brings home a succession of farm animals--ranging from a goose to a cow. After the mischievous critters wreck havoc on her home, the woman returns to the market--to buy all of the ingredients for a hearty vegetable soup to prepare for herself and her new friends!
The old nursery rhyme upon which this is based is, of course, a story about buying live animals at an open market to take home for slaughter. But To Market, To Market instead gently presents the idea of animals as friends instead of food and depicts a delicious vegetarian meal being prepared.
March 14, 2012
A fun and hilarious way to teach children about cooking, healthy eating and rhyming words. The illustrations are amazing and very funny. The book is fun to read repeatedly in the class and to always have for children to look at in the library area.
Extension.
Once the book is read and benefits of home cooked meals with fresh produce have been discussed conduct a cooking session in the classroom with children. (Keep in mind allergies). The class could make soup as a group or make pancakes. Involve the children by assigning them small tasks like washing vegetables, mixing, peeling etc. This will also provide an opportunity to show children different ingredients and explain the process of cooking.
Extension.
Once the book is read and benefits of home cooked meals with fresh produce have been discussed conduct a cooking session in the classroom with children. (Keep in mind allergies). The class could make soup as a group or make pancakes. Involve the children by assigning them small tasks like washing vegetables, mixing, peeling etc. This will also provide an opportunity to show children different ingredients and explain the process of cooking.
May 22, 2017
This is a hilarious tale of a lady busy shopping. She ends up buying live farm animals which create a chaotic mess in her house. She finally decides to buy veggies instead. She then makes soup for all the animals. Lots of rhymning make this silly tale lots of fun for children.
teaching application- Making soup with the kids would be fun. Writing and reading a recipe, kids could go shopping for supplies,or adding an ethnic flare by using ingredients from other cultures would all be fun. The children could practice alliteration by naming a vegetable that has the same starting sound as the animal. For example, the cow could bring carrots and the pig could bring peas.
teaching application- Making soup with the kids would be fun. Writing and reading a recipe, kids could go shopping for supplies,or adding an ethnic flare by using ingredients from other cultures would all be fun. The children could practice alliteration by naming a vegetable that has the same starting sound as the animal. For example, the cow could bring carrots and the pig could bring peas.
October 31, 2010
I loved Mother Goose tales and nursery rhymes when I was a kid and that love has never waned. This is a retelling of To Market To Market (To Buy A Fat Pig), but it is nothing like the original (in a good way).
The illustrations are FABULOUS! Black and white backgrounds with colored characters added in...it was a joy to simply look through this book.
The retelling is humorous. The book doesn't end the way you might expect, so if you like surprises, nursery rhymes, and good artwork, this book will definitely satisfy you.
I highly recommend this book.
The illustrations are FABULOUS! Black and white backgrounds with colored characters added in...it was a joy to simply look through this book.
The retelling is humorous. The book doesn't end the way you might expect, so if you like surprises, nursery rhymes, and good artwork, this book will definitely satisfy you.
I highly recommend this book.
Read
November 18, 2015Anne Miranda's inventive twist on a classic rhyme tells what happens after a shopper goes "to market, to market, to buy a fat pig." Back home the pig promptly escapes, and soon the pig's in the kitchen, the lamb's on the bed, the cow's on the couch--and the rest of the animals are wreaking havoc throughout the house.
This was a funny book. I would use this book as more of an entertainment piece. I would probably have it as part of my library collection for students to read whenever they would like. They could also potentially take an AR test on this book.
This was a funny book. I would use this book as more of an entertainment piece. I would probably have it as part of my library collection for students to read whenever they would like. They could also potentially take an AR test on this book.
Read
November 30, 2015 This book is about a lady who goes to the store to buy some animals and goes home but every time she comes home, it’s a bigger and bigger disaster. She eventually takes them all to the grocery store with her and when they all go to the grocery store, they get all the food they need to make soup and they finally get to have a yummy lunch in a messy, messy house. I would use this book for entertainment and to show the students that when you work as a team, you accomplish more together than alone.
October 27, 2016
This book is SO ridiculous (in a good way). Color paintings superimposed over black and white photographs of a grocery store show the escalating chaos at a woman's house as she makes repeated trips to the store for various animals. I swear, I've had days that felt just like hers. When she finally ends up with her glasses knocked off and a duck on her head, the animals take her to the store to get the stuff for vegetable soup. Awwww! One of our favorite picture books about food and cooking (and chaos).
January 24, 2018
A silly variation on the traditional nursery rhyme. Loved the illustrations! And all the things the animals get into!
Would be a good addition to storytimes on cooking or food, or on any number of farm animals. Lots of potential for over-the-top frustration from the lady narrating the poem. In a group storytime, everyone might not see all the details in the illustrations, but they'll still get the gist of what shenanigans the animals are getting up to. In a one-on-one read, that'll be added fun.
Would be a good addition to storytimes on cooking or food, or on any number of farm animals. Lots of potential for over-the-top frustration from the lady narrating the poem. In a group storytime, everyone might not see all the details in the illustrations, but they'll still get the gist of what shenanigans the animals are getting up to. In a one-on-one read, that'll be added fun.
December 11, 2012
The illustrations in this book are really cool. The illustrator juxtaposed colorful drawings of the characters with black-and-white photo collages of the grocery store and kitchen, which makes for a neat effect. There is a ton to look at and talk about in these pages. I love the illustrations of the animals, especially of the pig. The story of animals running amuck is entertaining, too. I'll have to remember to check this one out again when my son is a bit older and can really appreciate it.
September 2, 2013
This book is about a lady going shopping; the food she happens to buy are live animals. She tries to cook them, but it does not work out so she goes back to the market. This book is a fun and exciting way to show children the joys of cooking and how to cook. The fun part about the book and cooking is that the animals are alive and usually when you cook animals they are already dead. This book would be great for kindergarteners and helping them with their rhyming words.
April 8, 2014
"To market, to market,
To buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again,
Jiggety-jig".
This is s fun and hysterically hilarious book that helps to teach children about cooking, healthy eating and rhyming words. The illustrations are amazing and very funny. The book is fun to read repeatedly in the class and to always have for children to look at in the library area. All the animals are live and they make mischief once home. I like how this book is related to the real life!
To buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again,
Jiggety-jig".
This is s fun and hysterically hilarious book that helps to teach children about cooking, healthy eating and rhyming words. The illustrations are amazing and very funny. The book is fun to read repeatedly in the class and to always have for children to look at in the library area. All the animals are live and they make mischief once home. I like how this book is related to the real life!
June 13, 2017
The familiar rhyme is set to new illustrations as visits to the market result in pandemonium at home.
The rhyme was fun and interesting in this, and had a few twists on the familiar, but there was something off-putting about the illustration style. I liked the increasing busyness, but there was a lack of appeal in some of the designs. It was still fun to read.
The rhyme was fun and interesting in this, and had a few twists on the familiar, but there was something off-putting about the illustration style. I liked the increasing busyness, but there was a lack of appeal in some of the designs. It was still fun to read.
January 25, 2018
Funny book about a lady who just wants to eat! She brings home a bunch of animals but keeps misplacing them and then she finally just gets veggies and cooks those and feeds all the animals in her home. Then they all knock out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2018
Used this one for a "Food" themed storytime on 11/20/18. The kids loved it. I have no idea why this woman brought so many animals home but I hope she had a big glass of wine waiting for her at the end of this book.
Favorite illustration: the lamb standing in the dishwasher.
Favorite illustration: the lamb standing in the dishwasher.
February 15, 2008
Super silly! Great illustrations.
November 6, 2017
This book puts a spin on the original nursery rhyme, and does an amazing job at it. I enjoyed it. The illustrations were captivating and the story line was interesting. Excellent read.
February 7, 2018
really funny, poor lady takes a long time to learn
August 13, 2018
Led along by a fun, funny rhythm--an easy, seductive poetry. The illustrations alone make this a laugh-out-loud must!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews