There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly

by Steven Kellogg

The traditional verse tale of the old woman with peculiar eating habits.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Animals

25 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Steven Kellogg is an author and illustrator who has contributed over 90 books for children. He is best known for writing books about animals, for which he credits his grandmother .

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kellogg takes some liberties with the original song, and has the old woman join the circus before she swallows the final animal.

[Kate Demers · Rating 1 out of 5]

There have been only 2 children’s books that have felt wrong to me... and this is one of them. I grew up on Steven Kellog books - in fact “ The Mystery of the Flying Orange Pumpkin” is my all time favorite! But this book turned my stomach. To me, personally (and it just my opinion) it feels evil and gross. I can see that I am the minority and that it is beloved by many, but it just makes me feel all wrong.

[Pita-eater · Rating 1 out of 5]

As much as I like Steven Kellogg as an illustrator, this book is rather disturbing, horrible, and sad. Yes, I realize it is a nursery rhyme and fiction. But, the sadness of Waldo's expressions, the evil greed of Rosebud as she transformed, and the fear in the animals' eyes was too much for this sensitive adult reader.

[Roshini Jeevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic. I have tea it so many times and I have seen so many adaptations to it in many tv shows (Arthur for example). This teaches a meaningful lesson of the consequences of lying.