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Old Black Fly
Nothing drives a family crazy faster than an old black fly on a hot summer day, especially when the family's a little crazy already. And this fly is as bad as they come. He knows every low-down trick in the book--and won't rest until he's gone through them all.
He ate on the crust
of the Apple pie.
He bothered the Baby
and made her cry.
Shoo fly!
Shoo fly!
Shooo.
He ate on the crust
of the Apple pie.
He bothered the Baby
and made her cry.
Shoo fly!
Shoo fly!
Shooo.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
10 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Jim Aylesworth
42 books32 followersJim Aylesworth was born in Jacksonville, Florida but as an infant moved from the state. He lived in many places during his childhood: Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas... but by the time Aylesworth was 15 his family had settled in Hinsdale, Illinois and that is where he graduated from high school in 1961.
In 1965, he graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.A. in English. He returned to Hinsdale and began a career as a stockbroker. By 1970, however, Aylesworth was thinking about what he really wanted to do. After a series of assignments as a substitute teacher, Aylesworth ended up in a primary classroom. He began teaching first grade students in Oak Park, Illinois in 1971 and entered Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois, to earn a graduate degree in elementary education -- a goal he reached in 1978.
But it was his work with children that brought him the most reward. It was Aylesworth's experiences as a teacher that eventually led him to writing children's books.
In 1965, he graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.A. in English. He returned to Hinsdale and began a career as a stockbroker. By 1970, however, Aylesworth was thinking about what he really wanted to do. After a series of assignments as a substitute teacher, Aylesworth ended up in a primary classroom. He began teaching first grade students in Oak Park, Illinois in 1971 and entered Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois, to earn a graduate degree in elementary education -- a goal he reached in 1978.
But it was his work with children that brought him the most reward. It was Aylesworth's experiences as a teacher that eventually led him to writing children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
February 2, 2015
So, this review will be special since the majority of this book is told through rhyming. So I will give out my thoughts on this book in a simple rhyming scheme!
Old Black Fly’s been buzzing around,
Buzzing around, buzzing around.
Old Black Fly’s been buzzing around,
And he’s had a very busy bad day.
He buzzed through the pie crust and bothered the baby,
He also bothered the dog and got in the honey,
He bothered the older sister and he bothered the cat,
Is he going to get it, well imagine that!
I really enjoyed this picture book,
It is definitely worth taking a look.
Jim Aylesworth’s writing is witty and fun,
You will learn the alphabet once you are done.
The story is told through the alphabet,
Of the fly’s escapades, you can bet!
Imagine being bothered by a pesky fly,
Why I could just really up and die!
Stephen Gammell’s artwork is simply creative and messy,
The images of the fly flying through everything, oh bless me!
I loved the messy streak that the fly leaves behind,
In his chaotic rampage through the house that puts you in a bind!
The characters look so crazy, it is insane!
The colorings of the artwork will flow in your brain!
So go and pick up “Old Black Fly,”
It is truly fantastic, I will not lie!
If you are a fan of the weird and crazy,
Then this book is right up your alley!
Recommended for children ages three and up,
This book is harmless as a little pup!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
October 24, 2009
I think the most wonderful part of this book (in response to a 2 star review) is that, after reading it, you feel like there are "fly germs everywhere!" When we read this aloud in my preschool class, the kids loved pointing out the yucky stuff on every page and when I banged the book shut to "squash" the fly and quietly opened up the book, hysterical giggles abounded. This book is great for eliciting student participation (repetition in "Shoo fly...") and for developing inference abilities at a VERY early age ("What do you think happened to the fly?" after I slam the book shut).
Whether you happen to "like" the words, flow, or illustrations, in my experience, young children do and gain a lot of out reading this book together.
Whether you happen to "like" the words, flow, or illustrations, in my experience, young children do and gain a lot of out reading this book together.
August 4, 2017
We have all been annoyed by a persistent fly - this book ABC's you through all the problems this old black fly causes - until...
October 8, 2011
This is an ADORABLE ABC book. It talks about the journey of a naughty, bad, old black fly and the trouble he causes in a household, from A to his buzzing zzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz. I think that this is an exemplary ABC book because it tells a story while using examples through the alphabet, rather than saying "A is for Apple" "B is for Bear" For most the letters in fact, it uses alliteration, and gives more than one example for the letter that they are talking about.
For example: "He coughed on the cookies with the chocolate bits"
Also, it made it fun to read because it rhymed, not within the letter itself, but rather from one page to another
"He coughed on the Cookies with the chocolate bits. He drove the Dog nearly out of his wits"
I think that this rhyme, which is somewhat subtle will intrigue readers.
Also, the style is something that I really connect with. It's kind of weird, with lots of splatters, but it is something that I feel like I have seen before. (illustrations are by Stephen Gammell) Very splattered and creative. The splatters are ironic, because the old black fly gets squashed in the end!!
I wonder if there is reason behind using the word "swat" rather than "splat" Maybe it means that if you're bad, you will get spanked, just like the fly. Hmmm.
For example: "He coughed on the cookies with the chocolate bits"
Also, it made it fun to read because it rhymed, not within the letter itself, but rather from one page to another
"He coughed on the Cookies with the chocolate bits. He drove the Dog nearly out of his wits"
I think that this rhyme, which is somewhat subtle will intrigue readers.
Also, the style is something that I really connect with. It's kind of weird, with lots of splatters, but it is something that I feel like I have seen before. (illustrations are by Stephen Gammell) Very splattered and creative. The splatters are ironic, because the old black fly gets squashed in the end!!
I wonder if there is reason behind using the word "swat" rather than "splat" Maybe it means that if you're bad, you will get spanked, just like the fly. Hmmm.
August 1, 2019
This is disgusting and hilarious and I can’t wait to read it out loud and SPLAT the fly in the pages.
May 23, 2018
Wacky ABC book with intriguing, paint-splattered illustrations. I enjoyed the vibrancy, creativity and motion captured in the pictures. However, I don't think I would have liked the ending as a kid.
Veg*n parents note: The fly lands on eggs and salami. Really sensitive kids may not like the ending (the fly gets squashed).
Veg*n parents note: The fly lands on eggs and salami. Really sensitive kids may not like the ending (the fly gets squashed).
June 1, 2021
Read-aloud rhythmically, enthusiastically.
A story time throw back from 1992.
A story time throw back from 1992.
July 3, 2019
The illustrations are amazing; however, I was put off by the notion of killing a fly just because he was doing what a fly does. It had rhythm and rhyme and for a children's book it has something to offer, but I would prefer a book that honors the flies place in the worlds delicate ecosystem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2016
Title: Old Black Fly
Author: Jim Aylesworth
Illustrator: Stephen Gammel
Genre: Alphabet Book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Death
Opening line/sentence: “Old black fly’s been buzzin’ around, buzzin’ around, buzzin’ around.”
Brief Book Summary: An old black fly is very bad. He gets himself into everything and anything, until he meets his fate.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Holt New ed., 1992.
Just as old black fly gets swatted at the end of his "very busy bad day," this board book edition of a successful picture book will be swatted away by bored toddlers. Surreal and dreamlike, Gammell's energetic, speckled illustrations are the exact opposite of the clean, uncluttered artwork ideal for baby books.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Holt.
Aylesworth and Gammell create a gleeful, messy mix of all the fly's bad doings. The short couplets of text follow in an alphabetical scheme. The rough-hewn pictures are often abstract, which may confuse younger readers, but the enthusiastic celebration of a universal annoyance will tickle many funny bones.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I do not agree with the first review of children being bored, I think they will be intrigued that the illustrations are different and something they most likely have never seen before. It is certainly a new twist on an alphabet book that I do agree will make children laugh with how annoying the fly is to the characters in the story.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Lots of emphasis on the letters since it is an alphabet book, and the letter in focus is in a different color. There is lots of rhymes that are easy to follow and repeated phrases that children can memorize and echo easily.
Consideration of Instructional Application: You could have students look at a picture of a fly up close and construct their own fly. Then you could make a class book assigning children a letter and a page to themselves to draw something with that letter that the class flies will buzz around. The completed product will be a class alphabet book that will get the children giggling as their flies are buzzin’ around the pages.
Author: Jim Aylesworth
Illustrator: Stephen Gammel
Genre: Alphabet Book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Death
Opening line/sentence: “Old black fly’s been buzzin’ around, buzzin’ around, buzzin’ around.”
Brief Book Summary: An old black fly is very bad. He gets himself into everything and anything, until he meets his fate.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Holt New ed., 1992.
Just as old black fly gets swatted at the end of his "very busy bad day," this board book edition of a successful picture book will be swatted away by bored toddlers. Surreal and dreamlike, Gammell's energetic, speckled illustrations are the exact opposite of the clean, uncluttered artwork ideal for baby books.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Holt.
Aylesworth and Gammell create a gleeful, messy mix of all the fly's bad doings. The short couplets of text follow in an alphabetical scheme. The rough-hewn pictures are often abstract, which may confuse younger readers, but the enthusiastic celebration of a universal annoyance will tickle many funny bones.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I do not agree with the first review of children being bored, I think they will be intrigued that the illustrations are different and something they most likely have never seen before. It is certainly a new twist on an alphabet book that I do agree will make children laugh with how annoying the fly is to the characters in the story.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Lots of emphasis on the letters since it is an alphabet book, and the letter in focus is in a different color. There is lots of rhymes that are easy to follow and repeated phrases that children can memorize and echo easily.
Consideration of Instructional Application: You could have students look at a picture of a fly up close and construct their own fly. Then you could make a class book assigning children a letter and a page to themselves to draw something with that letter that the class flies will buzz around. The completed product will be a class alphabet book that will get the children giggling as their flies are buzzin’ around the pages.
September 29, 2016
ABC Book:
Aylesworth skillfully creates a fun, upbeat tale for young readers to enjoy while learning about the alphabet. The story centers around an old black fly, who loves to stir up trouble. The narrator takes readers on a journey to watch the havoc ensue. For instance, Aylesworth introduces the letter “B” into the story with a watercolor illustration of a crying baby. Above the baby’s head float the following lines:
“He bothered the Baby
and made her cry.
Shoo fly!
Shoo fly!
Shooo.”
Here, Aylesworth tactfully capitalizes the letter “B,” so that young readers take note of the letter and how it adds to the formation of certain words, like “baby” in this case. He repeats this pattern by inserting various instances -- in particular one about the dog. The author writes, “He drove the Dog / nearly out of his wits / Shoo fly! / Shoo fly! / Shooo.” Once again, Ayleworth creates an educational opportunity by capitalizing the certain letter.
As previously mentioned, the illustrations are water-colored, adding a lively tone to the tale. When the the fly decides to buzz around the mom and her yam, the depiction connects to the action-packed writing, displaying the mother with crazy hair amid a tie dye background. Overall, this story is an exceptional work. Children will stay engaged by the entertaining pictures and words, and, most importantly, develop their knowledge on the alphabet.
Aylesworth skillfully creates a fun, upbeat tale for young readers to enjoy while learning about the alphabet. The story centers around an old black fly, who loves to stir up trouble. The narrator takes readers on a journey to watch the havoc ensue. For instance, Aylesworth introduces the letter “B” into the story with a watercolor illustration of a crying baby. Above the baby’s head float the following lines:
“He bothered the Baby
and made her cry.
Shoo fly!
Shoo fly!
Shooo.”
Here, Aylesworth tactfully capitalizes the letter “B,” so that young readers take note of the letter and how it adds to the formation of certain words, like “baby” in this case. He repeats this pattern by inserting various instances -- in particular one about the dog. The author writes, “He drove the Dog / nearly out of his wits / Shoo fly! / Shoo fly! / Shooo.” Once again, Ayleworth creates an educational opportunity by capitalizing the certain letter.
As previously mentioned, the illustrations are water-colored, adding a lively tone to the tale. When the the fly decides to buzz around the mom and her yam, the depiction connects to the action-packed writing, displaying the mother with crazy hair amid a tie dye background. Overall, this story is an exceptional work. Children will stay engaged by the entertaining pictures and words, and, most importantly, develop their knowledge on the alphabet.
October 30, 2011
ABC Book
Jim Aylesworth's "Old Black Fly" is a rhyming alphabet book about a day in the life of a fly. Throughout the story, the fly "ate on the crust of the Apple pie" "lit on the List for the grocery store" and snoozed on the Quilt on Gramma's bed". After the double page spread that simply says "SWAT!" the old black fly is done causing trouble.
I like the illustrations for their brightness and uniqueness, and I thought the way that the people and the fly in the book looked ugly and disfigured worked well with the story of a gross fly landing on everything in the house. I also loved the “SWAT” page at the end of the book, with a bright burst of colors filling the page, implying that the fly has been killed.
I think this book would work well for first through third grade students, but I could see students even older than that really enjoying the book. Teaching students the “Shoo fly! Shoo fly! Shooo” refrain that is repeated throughout the story could get them involved in the read-aloud process, and this book could be used to talk about rhymes as well as the alphabet. I really enjoyed this book and can see students in a classroom finding it entertaining and humorous.
Jim Aylesworth's "Old Black Fly" is a rhyming alphabet book about a day in the life of a fly. Throughout the story, the fly "ate on the crust of the Apple pie" "lit on the List for the grocery store" and snoozed on the Quilt on Gramma's bed". After the double page spread that simply says "SWAT!" the old black fly is done causing trouble.
I like the illustrations for their brightness and uniqueness, and I thought the way that the people and the fly in the book looked ugly and disfigured worked well with the story of a gross fly landing on everything in the house. I also loved the “SWAT” page at the end of the book, with a bright burst of colors filling the page, implying that the fly has been killed.
I think this book would work well for first through third grade students, but I could see students even older than that really enjoying the book. Teaching students the “Shoo fly! Shoo fly! Shooo” refrain that is repeated throughout the story could get them involved in the read-aloud process, and this book could be used to talk about rhymes as well as the alphabet. I really enjoyed this book and can see students in a classroom finding it entertaining and humorous.
January 31, 2013
This ABC book is an absolutely hilarious tale of a flies daily activities in bugging a family. From messing with the dog to eating a cake, this book does not miss a step of a flies short life. Each page introduces the next letter of the alphabet in such a way that it will have the young reader wanting to see what the fly gets into next.
The illustrations are very interesting...in a good way. When one pictures a fly, they think of this quickly buzzing around insect that makes a lot of noise and that is what these illustrations are. Stephen Gammell does an incredible job creating illustrations that are very "fly" like. They are crazy, colorful, and give a sense of high speed; also, they match the author's words perfectly.
Being an ABC book, I would suggest that this book be used for the Kindergarten level and possibly the 1st grade level. Also, the wording in this book is sophisticated enough that it could be looked at by a 2nd or 3rd grader for it's interesting grammar and word usage.
The illustrations are very interesting...in a good way. When one pictures a fly, they think of this quickly buzzing around insect that makes a lot of noise and that is what these illustrations are. Stephen Gammell does an incredible job creating illustrations that are very "fly" like. They are crazy, colorful, and give a sense of high speed; also, they match the author's words perfectly.
Being an ABC book, I would suggest that this book be used for the Kindergarten level and possibly the 1st grade level. Also, the wording in this book is sophisticated enough that it could be looked at by a 2nd or 3rd grader for it's interesting grammar and word usage.
September 18, 2014
I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would by looking at the cover. I guess you really can't judge a book by that! It was about a fly who kept buzzing around and bothering everyone, and at the end of the book they killed him! I just think that is a little too graphic for children, but maybe I'm being overprotective. It did accomplish its job of having the alphabet in it, each page and mischievous act of the fly being a different letter. That did help a little with the alphabet, because they had an illustration on each page of what the letter stood for.
I did not enjoy the illustrations either, they were just too abstract and messy. They were honestly creepy too. While they did show what was going on in the text and help tell the story, they were not my cup of tea. Each picture had color splattered all over, it looked like airbrush. This majorly distracted from the actual illustration and from the story also.
Even though it helped teach the alphabet a little bit, I would not really want my students reading this book.
I did not enjoy the illustrations either, they were just too abstract and messy. They were honestly creepy too. While they did show what was going on in the text and help tell the story, they were not my cup of tea. Each picture had color splattered all over, it looked like airbrush. This majorly distracted from the actual illustration and from the story also.
Even though it helped teach the alphabet a little bit, I would not really want my students reading this book.
April 15, 2014
Old Black Fly, written by Jim Aylesworth is very funny and would be a great book to read to young children who have begun learning their alphabet or already know it. The story about this fly who only gets in trouble and does everything that we don't want it to is so close to reality that children would really get it and understand it. This is an alphabet book so it would be useful in reading to a classroom and the repetition in the words can allow for students to say it with you as you read it to them. You could easily sing along with the story. Another thing that would definitely get a child's focus as well as an adult is the illustrations by Stephen Gammell. The pictures are so colorful and really flow along with the story that it makes it difficult to look away from the pages. The whole story is entertaining and easily interesting. I would recommend this book in a kindergarten classroom and for teachers to read aloud to the class for lots of fun.
September 25, 2010
“Old Black Fly” is a funny little tale done in poetry that uses rhyme and the alphabet. The book is about a how a fly’s day is spent and everything he lands on and tastes. The book is cleverly written with a rhyme shared between two pages. I love the illustrations in this book! Jim Alylesworth highlights each letter from the alphabet he uses directly in a word on each page. The illustrations are very unique showing the fly’s trail in a spatter form. Strangely, I felt sticky after reading this book! The classroom could go through the alphabet telling all the words they could think of for each letter of the alphabet. The teacher could also divide the classroom into groups assigning each group specific letters and see how many words each group can come up with for each letter.
*American Library Association Notable Children's Books Award
*American Library Association Notable Children's Books Award
January 25, 2013
“Old Black Fly”- written by Jim Aylesworth and illustrated by Stephen Gammell, is a children’s ABC rhyming book that takes readers on the adventures of the pesky, old black fly. The fly becomes an annoyance to the house as he “coughs on the cookies” and “drives the dog nearly out of wits.” In addition, Alyesworth constantly states, “Sho fly! Shoo fly! Shoo” on every other page- making it for a great read aloud to children who could help tell the story by chiming in. The illustrations throughout the ABC book are excellent as they are creative and bright in color. Moreover, the illustrator uses splatter paint on every page making adding to the uniqueness. I think this book is perfect for children from ages 3-7- for even if the child does not know how to read, they would definitely enjoy the illustrations!
February 23, 2015
A pesky old fly makes the rounds in a house in this strange, but humorous alphabet book. The rhyming, sing-song narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations by Stephen Gammell are colorful, if a bit busy.
I actually picked up the book based on the collaboration between him and Jim Aylesworth. We are more familiar with Mr. Gammell's eerie illustrations for the scary short story collections for Alvin Schwartz.
Our girls weren't overly impressed with the A-to-Z feature of the book (too babyish), but otherwise we enjoyed reading this book together.
I actually picked up the book based on the collaboration between him and Jim Aylesworth. We are more familiar with Mr. Gammell's eerie illustrations for the scary short story collections for Alvin Schwartz.
Our girls weren't overly impressed with the A-to-Z feature of the book (too babyish), but otherwise we enjoyed reading this book together.
September 12, 2012
This book, written by Jim Aylesworth, is a wonderfully creative and fresh take to a traditional ABC book. The alphabet is intertwined through a funny story written in rhyme form about a pesky fly in a family's home, who continues to be a nuisance to everyone.
This would be best utilized with older beginning readers, as it is a more difficult ABC book, which requires the reader to follow a more difficult and detailed story line. The pictures are engaging and interesting, and work well to draw the reader into the text. Early readers could interact with the chant form of the story by reciting the words aloud. I would recommend this story to any primary teachers, or beginning readers.
This would be best utilized with older beginning readers, as it is a more difficult ABC book, which requires the reader to follow a more difficult and detailed story line. The pictures are engaging and interesting, and work well to draw the reader into the text. Early readers could interact with the chant form of the story by reciting the words aloud. I would recommend this story to any primary teachers, or beginning readers.
October 1, 2013
Old Black Fly is a story about a little fly who had a very bad day. This story goes through all of the things that either happened to the fly, or that the fly did. What is great about this story is it goes through these events while introducing rhyming words and going through the alphabet.
You can use this book to teach rhyming and to reinforce the alphabet.
The illustrations in this book are full of color and very dramatic. The pictures add character to the book and allow the children to laugh at what happens to the fly as they read the book.
I really enjoyed the pictures in this book, and was impressed at how they incorporated the alphabet and rhyming in such a fun way!
This would be best for first or second grade, but can be used in a preschool or kindergarten classroom
You can use this book to teach rhyming and to reinforce the alphabet.
The illustrations in this book are full of color and very dramatic. The pictures add character to the book and allow the children to laugh at what happens to the fly as they read the book.
I really enjoyed the pictures in this book, and was impressed at how they incorporated the alphabet and rhyming in such a fun way!
This would be best for first or second grade, but can be used in a preschool or kindergarten classroom
November 21, 2015
GPS: ELAGSEKRF1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of
print. d. Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the
alphabet.
This book is a good way to teach children letters, because it functions as an actual story. Children also love animals and the fact that this is a story biased around a fly might seem funny and strange enough to them to grab their attention.
Students would be read this story as a group. They would then revive a worksheet that has a bunch of things the fly landed on such as an apple, cookies, and a Dog. Students would then have to write what letter those things start with and put them in the correct order as the fly landed on them in the book.
print. d. Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the
alphabet.
This book is a good way to teach children letters, because it functions as an actual story. Children also love animals and the fact that this is a story biased around a fly might seem funny and strange enough to them to grab their attention.
Students would be read this story as a group. They would then revive a worksheet that has a bunch of things the fly landed on such as an apple, cookies, and a Dog. Students would then have to write what letter those things start with and put them in the correct order as the fly landed on them in the book.
November 16, 2008
I love this book. It is an alphabet book, in which the fly of the title despoils things from A to Z. Occasionally, the necessity to touch each letter leads to the text being a bit strained.
Stephen Gammell's illustrations are nasty, hairy, slurpy, and drippy--perfect for a book that details the disgusting exploits of a fly. Gammell also creates a loose story through the picture that suggests that the fly's actions are interfering with preparations for a party.
I always read it in a scratchy blues voice (even though the characters appear to be British), and by the end, my throat hurts. But it is totally worth it.
Stephen Gammell's illustrations are nasty, hairy, slurpy, and drippy--perfect for a book that details the disgusting exploits of a fly. Gammell also creates a loose story through the picture that suggests that the fly's actions are interfering with preparations for a party.
I always read it in a scratchy blues voice (even though the characters appear to be British), and by the end, my throat hurts. But it is totally worth it.
March 1, 2017
I loved this book! I loved the creativity and the pictures that were shown throughout. The pictures were realistic and showed a lot of color. The rhyming in the book made it memorable. It follows a journey of a fly's life while telling the alphabet. Wonderful book to have in your class.
August 25, 2012
Not your ordinary book of ABCs! What a great introduction, not only to rhyme, but rhythm!
June 9, 2017
One of my favorites as a kid :)
September 19, 2018
"Old Black Fly", written by Jim Aylesworth and illustrated by Stephen Gammell is a whacky and hilarious ABC book which follows a naughty fly around as he causes trouble in a families house. I really enjoyed this book and think it was a unique way to teach the ABC's through examples instead of just giving words related to each word, for example, "A is for Ant". Aylesworth did an excellent job with making learning the alphabet so exciting for young readers. The text throughout this book is very intriguing and follows a simple rhyming pattern which I think makes it that much better. Alliteration is also used several times, for example, "He played on the Keys by the kitchen door". The rhyming and alliteration make it a great to read aloud, especially to children. The illustrations are even better and really brings the chaos that the fly causes to the families life. With bright colors and hilarious pictures, children would love this book. Each page has amazing detail and so many things that children would love to point out.
This book would be great for children preschool through first grade. Even though it is an ABC book and children know their ABCs later, it could still be used for older grades since it is such a fun read. With first graders, you could go more in depth and talk about rhyme and alliteration. I think that the kids would love listening to this book as it was read aloud to them. They would love looking at all the crazy illustrations and seeing the crazy things that the fly was doing.
This book would be great for children preschool through first grade. Even though it is an ABC book and children know their ABCs later, it could still be used for older grades since it is such a fun read. With first graders, you could go more in depth and talk about rhyme and alliteration. I think that the kids would love listening to this book as it was read aloud to them. They would love looking at all the crazy illustrations and seeing the crazy things that the fly was doing.
April 9, 2019
Old Black Fly is a very funny story of a fly buzzing around the house causing havoc within the house hold. Everyone has had an annoying fly buzzing around them once or twice which makes this book relatable. The reader can tell the fly is causing trouble based off of the pictures the illustrator drew the pictures with lots of motion and paint splatters all over the pages. The illustrator also used a lot of colors to catch the readers attention to every picture on the page. This book is meant to be read to or by young readers, the book goes through the alphabet by having the fly land or destroy something that starts with the next letter that comes in the alphabet. This book also rhymes with is a good thing for young readers to learn so if they are struggling with a word then they can try out words that rhyme with a pervious word on the page. This book also has a lot of repeated words so if a student struggles the first time they try and pronounce the word, after they hear the word or words then the next time they come up on a page then the student will know how to pronounce the word or words correctly this time.
February 22, 2019
Love this book about a naughty fly that bothers a family until it's inevitable end. There's A brightly colored alphabet letter on each page and they are in order. This is a great story to sing to the class and have them do the chorus, which is repetitive: "Shoo fly, shoo fly, shoo..." Give them a hand motion as they sing that chorus. Their arms can do a criss cross in front of them back and forth in a horizontal motion OR have them scoop up and down. Doesn't matter. But do the motion and chorus at the same time. Works great for Kindergartners and 1st grade. When you get to the page with the "Y" and "Z-Z-Z" Stop on that page and determine by vote of hands - the fate of the fly. Will he fly out of the window? Or will he get smushed/ swatted ??? Slap your hands together loudly on that last page! There is a final verse to sing after the swat. Love this book and the colorful pictures.
December 3, 2020
In the book the Annoying old black fly was the main character of the story. He flew around the house annoying, sister, mama, baby, and grandma by flying and landing on everything. The annoyed family was over the fly in the house bothering everyone even the dog. The fly landed on everything like the eggs and frosting that was in the house. The books illustrations capture the scenarios that the fly creates but also shows the different scenarios that the fly creates in landing in the different things in the house. With the illustrations you can see a visually picture what is must have been like for the fly to be buzzing around.
Notes: Simple book that reminds me of the book Chika Chika Boom Boom, for younger readers, entertaining, life cycle, idea of family
Notes: Simple book that reminds me of the book Chika Chika Boom Boom, for younger readers, entertaining, life cycle, idea of family
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2017
Old Black Fly is a story of a fly that continues to be a pest to a family by eating their food and laying on their belongings. The illustrations are very colorful and full of life. Each page of the book has an illustration to go a long with what is going on in the story. This book would be perfect for kindergarten because students in kindergarten are just learning the alphabet and this book reinforces it because each page has a large print letter from the alphabet on the page. Also, younger students won't get distracted or confused when they get read this book because the text is short in length and the illustrations themselves are simple.
September 19, 2018
Looking for a silly book that also teaches children the alphabet? This book is for you! While going through the letters of the alphabet, the main character, a fly, goes through his day with the reader. The letter that is in a different color and size font on each page is the one next in line in the alphabet which makes it fun and easy for children to spot. Also, the lines rhyme which makes reading them that much more interesting! Along with rhyming, the book keeps the reader engaged by having the same common phrase every few pages, "Sho fly, sho fly, shooo!" I would recommend this book to children ages 5-6 as they are learning the alphabet and becoming more comfortable reading.
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