What do you think?
Rate this book
Old MacDonald Had a
Old MacDonald Had a Boat
Old Mac and Mrs. Mac are at it again! This time, these DIY-happy farmers wield a host of noisy tools—from hammers to sanders, and even a blowtorch—to soup up their rusty old fishing boat. With a BANG BANG here and a BUZZ BUZZ there, this silly, summery sequel to the wildly popular Old MacDonald Had a Truck is sure to make a splash—and have the whole family singing along.
44 pages, Hardcover
Published March 6, 2018
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 3, 2018
I like the truck one more, but maybe that's just because I read it first. A fun twist on a classic, and I really enjoy the MacDonalds relationship. Who knew you could find #relationshipgoals in an Old MacDonald picture book series.
June 14, 2019
Old MacDonald and his wife decide to make themselves a boat. To the tune of the classic song, the couple and the farm animals wield tools that help put together a transportation method that will provide hours of summer fun for everyone.
There's a group of little readers who love transportation methods, tools, and machines, and this book and the companion truck book are perfect for them. But not just for them. Just about any little reader should find something to enjoy here. The rhyme is done well while incorporating unexpected things (see if little ones can predict what comes next for some added fun on the first reading). The illustrations are so very fun and add a lot to the story. You can sing it or read it, but whichever you do you're sure to be entertained by the surprising twists and turns as you watch the boat come together. Highly recommended.
There's a group of little readers who love transportation methods, tools, and machines, and this book and the companion truck book are perfect for them. But not just for them. Just about any little reader should find something to enjoy here. The rhyme is done well while incorporating unexpected things (see if little ones can predict what comes next for some added fun on the first reading). The illustrations are so very fun and add a lot to the story. You can sing it or read it, but whichever you do you're sure to be entertained by the surprising twists and turns as you watch the boat come together. Highly recommended.
September 26, 2018
Okay, the rhyme falters here and there. But I laughed out loud on the "hammer" page, where the rhyme is "Ei-I-Ei-I TOE!" And if it makes me laugh, kids will love it. Tool lovers will enjoy this riff on the classic song, and so will just about everyone else that reads it. The illustrations have charm and expression make the story flow without dialogue beyond the song. A winner.
March 24, 2018
Following up on the success of his kid-inspired Old MacDonald Had a Truck, the farmer and his wife and various helpful farm animals employ tools to renovate their boat. By the time they finish with it, no one will recognize it due to its amazing transformation. As the tools get going, readers will have a chance to finish off the usual E-I-E-I-O with a variety of rhyming sounds, including "WHOA!" and "TOE!" and "HEAVE-HO!" Obviously, some work better than others do, but they are all fun to read, and combined with delicious dollops of onomatopoeia, entertaining to hear as well, capturing the essence of this hard-working farm family that knows how to have fun as well as do their chores. The images were created in pencil and gouache and then put together digitally. It's hard to resist the lines as well as the images with those funny scenes. I was particularly taken by the first illustration and the last one in which the couple relaxes on the porch, sipping drinks, and enjoying the sun setting on their back yard with the newly-refurbished boat resting in the water. There's never been an Old MacDonald like this one, and the book will call for multiple readings.
April 9, 2018
This second book about Old MacDonald’s extended adventures continues the fun. Once again Old MacDonald and Mrs. MacDonald are hard at work on their farm. They have their truck and look they have a new boat. But there’s a lot of work to do before it gets in the water. There are saws to buzz, hammers to bang, torches to blow, paint to roll and much more.
Verse after verse follows the format of the original song and children will love to participate in singing along. Nicely, Mrs. MacDonald uses the power tools with ease and all of the animals help too. The illustrations have a timeless appeal that suits the subject. There is plenty of fun and humor along the way as hammers miss and ski jumps are moved into position. A rousing new version of the beloved song that is perfect for summer days on the water. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Verse after verse follows the format of the original song and children will love to participate in singing along. Nicely, Mrs. MacDonald uses the power tools with ease and all of the animals help too. The illustrations have a timeless appeal that suits the subject. There is plenty of fun and humor along the way as hammers miss and ski jumps are moved into position. A rousing new version of the beloved song that is perfect for summer days on the water. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
May 30, 2022
This picture book is simply charming. The MacDonalds have a farm adjacent to a body of water. They decide to buy an old boat and fix it up for recreation on the water. They end up calling the boat, "Finntastic." This is great read aloud because the sounds are unexpected. The sounds accompany all the steps it takes to refurbish a boat. The pictures are larger than life and very entertaining. From an adult viewpoint, I like that the farmers sit on their front porch with their coffee. I think this is when they are discussing the purchase of an old boat and they are talking over their dreams with each other. At the end of the book, they are seated by each other again having a soft drink. They have been playing on the water all day! In this scene, I imagine they are congratulating each other on their investment and how their TLC for the boat paid off!
March 27, 2019
Just another piggyback song, this one based on Old MacDonald Had a Farm.
Goetz has imagined other things that Old Mac might have had on his farm -- including a rundown, rusty boat. Along with that boat, all of the tools required to fix it up. Rhyming text is acceptable when sung aloud.
Eda Kaban's illustrations (rendered in pencil and gouache, then composited digitally) are delightful in this book, bright and colorful, although they lack any kind of diversity.
Cute, but not necessary.
Optional for PreSchool-grade 1.
Goetz has imagined other things that Old Mac might have had on his farm -- including a rundown, rusty boat. Along with that boat, all of the tools required to fix it up. Rhyming text is acceptable when sung aloud.
Eda Kaban's illustrations (rendered in pencil and gouache, then composited digitally) are delightful in this book, bright and colorful, although they lack any kind of diversity.
Cute, but not necessary.
Optional for PreSchool-grade 1.
May 25, 2018
I'm sure this will be great for some kids but Miss 3 hated it. It's a variation on Old MacDonald's farm but with construction noises instead and building a boat.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
December 2, 2018
A take on Old Macdonald with tool noises (Old Macdonald had a saw with a buzz buzz here, etc) and vehicle-related words. I don't know if they would all be hits at a storytime (a "slow slow" here?) but I understand this is one of a few titles with this concept by this author, so I'll have to check out the other ones.
I also just appreciated the serene, wordless pages at the beginning and end featuring a loving elderly couple!
I also just appreciated the serene, wordless pages at the beginning and end featuring a loving elderly couple!
March 14, 2018
And the saga on Old MacDonald's farm continues, with sawing and painting and sanding, all to make a boat and engage in all kinds of water activities. Lots of sound opportunities will add to the joy of this read aloud. And easy for kids to chime in. Perfect for story time.
May 4, 2018
My child loved the colorful pictures and sang along with the words. In a few places the text doesn't quite flow with the tune of "Old MacDonald" but overall a good read for kids. Love the story and teamwork shown in the illustrations.
September 27, 2018
Excellent illustrations and a fun twist on a classic children's song. This time the MacDonald's are building a boat and the book is filled with fun tools and building. Children will love watching what they are building and then seeing the final result!
February 8, 2019
I love the illustrations in this fun read-aloud for preschoolers. I'm not gonna lie. Seeing their blissed-out expressions on the back page of this book makes me a little jealous of Old MacDonald and his wife's idyllic life.
June 2, 2021
I am happy for Old Macdonald. After years of hard farm work, he and his wife start a project that brings them a lot of enjoyment. Told in the same rhyme as the original, but with fun new twists for kids that love machines and building things.
January 22, 2018
Loved this! Lively and busy with lots of great sounds for reading aloud.
March 2, 2018
Fun, funny, and adorable! Children are sure to enjoy this silly version of Old MacDonald builds a boat, which is then driven by the pig as Mac and his wife waterski behind it.
March 7, 2018
Now that's the life. :)
April 11, 2018
I liked this book and the new version of Old MacDonald fun. I found myself singing along to the tune. and I feel that young kids would sing along as well.
April 19, 2018
You can't but sing when reading this book!
April 23, 2018
Old MacDonald has a farm...and builds a boat!
Simple, bold illustrations carry the book.
Simple, bold illustrations carry the book.
April 26, 2018
Loved the illustrations. the text was fine.
May 2, 2018
What a fun re-telling of Old MacDonald! The illustrations were also really fantastic! It was fun!
June 5, 2018
A funny little adaptation of Old MacDonald. In this one, the farmer has lots of tools that he uses to build a boat.
June 7, 2018
Fun retelling! I like the replacement rhymes for the O in E-I-E-I-O.
June 21, 2018
This is a book based on the song "Old MacDonald." In this version, he has tools and materials to build a boat. The book ends with Old MacDonald and his wife having fun on the boat they built.
July 7, 2018
This was very cute. It would be a very fun book for a preschool storytime.
September 8, 2018
Old MacDonald gets a new spin in this book where he is building something. What could it be? Cute song take. Preschool and up
September 27, 2018
A decent read-along, if you're looking for a revamp of an old favorite.
January 31, 2019
Entertaining.
February 13, 2019
A cute version of Old McDonald with tools and fun onomatopoeia. Great for storytime!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews