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Classic Books with Holes
Old Macdonald Had a Farm
Bouncy illustrations, innovative die cutting and popular rhymes make Books with Holes a must for every child. Available in three formats, suitable for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and the nursery or classroom.
16 pages, Board Book
First published January 1, 1975
11 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Pam Adams
150 books15 followersPam Adams (1919-2010) was a British children's book author and illustrator, and a graphic designer. Born in Swindon in 1919, she was educated at the Swindon Art College and at the Central School of Art in London, and worked for many years as a graphic designer in the advertising field. In the 1970s she returned to Swindon, and teamed up with Michael Twinn, who had recently founded the publishing house Child’s Play. Her first children's book, There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly, was published in 1972, and remains a bestseller for the publishing house. After writing and illustrating countless other picture-books, Adams died in 2010, at the age of 91.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 29, 2018
3 stars for the classic nursery rhyme/song... but an extra star in this version from my childhood, where Old MacDonald is an actual Scotsman, in a kilt. : )
This was a great picture book to read to my kindergarten class in the fall, especially before a local farm field trip. Some students already knew it as a sing-along, from Pre-K.
Though farms today are a far cry from the agrarian-society farms of the past, it's still good for students to see a more historical example, to identify domesticated animals, and farm buildings & jobs.
We also had a great music cd of animal sounds recorded from real-life, so it was enlightening to compare the "moo moos" and "quack quacks" in the story, to the accurate farm animal noises.
This was a great picture book to read to my kindergarten class in the fall, especially before a local farm field trip. Some students already knew it as a sing-along, from Pre-K.
Though farms today are a far cry from the agrarian-society farms of the past, it's still good for students to see a more historical example, to identify domesticated animals, and farm buildings & jobs.
We also had a great music cd of animal sounds recorded from real-life, so it was enlightening to compare the "moo moos" and "quack quacks" in the story, to the accurate farm animal noises.
February 19, 2016
Title: Old Macdonald Had a Farm
Author: Pam Adams
Illustrator: Pam Adams
Genre: Pattern/Predictable book
Theme(s): Animal Sounds, Farms, Folk Songs, Songs and Music, Children’s Stories
Opening line/sentence: “Old Macdonald had a farm, Ee I Ee I O! And on this farm he had a dog, Ee I Ee I O!”
Brief Book Summary: Everyone knows this story of Old Macdonald and his farm. This book had detailed illustrations and follows the song that students grow up knowing.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature)
Teachers often bemoan the loss of interest in nursery rhymes because they have traditionally been one of the earliest listening and learning experiences for children. They prepare youngsters for the notions of pattern and rhyme. They are often repetitive, which is both comforting and instructive. They are usually silly, adding an element of humor that makes reading fun. Now some of the favorite nursery rhymes and songs have become small board books with holes, each with a different illustrator. In this case, each hole shows a new animal on the farm. The sound each animal makes shows through the hole on the left side of the page. The illustrations are colorful and crowd onto each page without much attention to proportion, but they are fun and will appeal to the newest young book lovers. The final page with all the animals is quite a busy, colorful scene of barnyard confusion. Part of the "Board Books with Holes" series. 2001, Child's Play, $5.99. Ages 3 mo. to 3.
(PUBLISHER: Child's Play $5.99., PUBLISHED: 2001(Child's Play $5.99., PUBLISHED: 2001))
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Amazon: From the Publisher
- Promotes fine motor development as child manipulates variety of shapes on the pages. - Designed for child to interact with book in a physical way. - Uses vocabulary to communicate animal sounds (Old Macdonald) (sensory perception) - Involves use of rhymes and patterns which repeat throughout the books (patterns are excellent for children as they are very easy to memorize so the child very quickly can master these books.) - Incorporates music as most of these books are also songs. - Provides opportunities for developing sequencing skills as child attempts to remember sequence of animals, insects and birds. - Demonstrates print is meaningful as text matches illustrations. - Helps child gain confidence and raise his/her self-esteem - the feeling of "I can do it". --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: The first reviewer talks about how the illustrations are a bit different. Each new animal is shown in a keyhole! The second reviewer discusses how this book can be a song and looks at music being important in the classroom.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The keyhole concept of peeking at the farm animals and their sounds is a good way to isolate the animals if the students are learning them for the first time. Since the text is a nursery rhyme and a song it reads very easily with a rhyme scheme. Also in this edition of the book Old Macdonald seems to be dressed in Scottish-like dress. This would provide a cultural aspect to the classroom.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Much like traditional nursery rhymes this is a song that many children have memorized. I would use it with PK-K students as a part of a memorization plan to memorize different songs and nursery rhymes. Song books also help introduce reading to children, so having this book and books like it in a classroom library will help students to realize that they can read this because they know all the words!
Author: Pam Adams
Illustrator: Pam Adams
Genre: Pattern/Predictable book
Theme(s): Animal Sounds, Farms, Folk Songs, Songs and Music, Children’s Stories
Opening line/sentence: “Old Macdonald had a farm, Ee I Ee I O! And on this farm he had a dog, Ee I Ee I O!”
Brief Book Summary: Everyone knows this story of Old Macdonald and his farm. This book had detailed illustrations and follows the song that students grow up knowing.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature)
Teachers often bemoan the loss of interest in nursery rhymes because they have traditionally been one of the earliest listening and learning experiences for children. They prepare youngsters for the notions of pattern and rhyme. They are often repetitive, which is both comforting and instructive. They are usually silly, adding an element of humor that makes reading fun. Now some of the favorite nursery rhymes and songs have become small board books with holes, each with a different illustrator. In this case, each hole shows a new animal on the farm. The sound each animal makes shows through the hole on the left side of the page. The illustrations are colorful and crowd onto each page without much attention to proportion, but they are fun and will appeal to the newest young book lovers. The final page with all the animals is quite a busy, colorful scene of barnyard confusion. Part of the "Board Books with Holes" series. 2001, Child's Play, $5.99. Ages 3 mo. to 3.
(PUBLISHER: Child's Play $5.99., PUBLISHED: 2001(Child's Play $5.99., PUBLISHED: 2001))
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Amazon: From the Publisher
- Promotes fine motor development as child manipulates variety of shapes on the pages. - Designed for child to interact with book in a physical way. - Uses vocabulary to communicate animal sounds (Old Macdonald) (sensory perception) - Involves use of rhymes and patterns which repeat throughout the books (patterns are excellent for children as they are very easy to memorize so the child very quickly can master these books.) - Incorporates music as most of these books are also songs. - Provides opportunities for developing sequencing skills as child attempts to remember sequence of animals, insects and birds. - Demonstrates print is meaningful as text matches illustrations. - Helps child gain confidence and raise his/her self-esteem - the feeling of "I can do it". --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: The first reviewer talks about how the illustrations are a bit different. Each new animal is shown in a keyhole! The second reviewer discusses how this book can be a song and looks at music being important in the classroom.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The keyhole concept of peeking at the farm animals and their sounds is a good way to isolate the animals if the students are learning them for the first time. Since the text is a nursery rhyme and a song it reads very easily with a rhyme scheme. Also in this edition of the book Old Macdonald seems to be dressed in Scottish-like dress. This would provide a cultural aspect to the classroom.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Much like traditional nursery rhymes this is a song that many children have memorized. I would use it with PK-K students as a part of a memorization plan to memorize different songs and nursery rhymes. Song books also help introduce reading to children, so having this book and books like it in a classroom library will help students to realize that they can read this because they know all the words!
December 2, 2012
A favorite to many children because of the catchy and well known tune, this book version of the song allows for children to develop more concrete images of the written text. These descriptive and colorful illustrations grab the readers attention and provide many different things for the reader to look at. Especially by the end of the book when all the animals are presented on the page. It allows for the children to practice their animal names as well as the sounds that each animal makes. This would be a good book to have for themes such as farm life, animals, and country lifestyles. Also, when reading this book to students you could ask them about the different animal sizes, the foods they eat, the places they sleep, etc. Further, this could be implemented into a writing lesson by creating a worksheet that focuses on the animal names and the children must spell out the name of the animal being described.
November 3, 2016
Award: none
Grade Level: Birth to Kindergarten
Summary: This book is a nursery rhyme about a farmer and all of his animals. One by one the farmer names his animals which are a cow, chicken, dog, pig, duck, horse, cat, and sheep. The name of each animal is said along with the sound that the animal makes ex. " The farmer has a duck, with a quack quack here ...).
Review: The book has great illustrations and shows students what the elements of a farm has (barn, animals, tractor). Every character in the book seems to be having a great time, and it shows by the expressions on their faces. The book is exciting, and I think young children will enjoy the rhythm.
Possible In-class Use:
1. Students do not have to be read this book. The teacher can have students stand up in a circle and sing this song, or they can sing this song on a walk outside.
2. The teacher can call on a student to pick an animal, and then the rest of the class has to say what sound that animal makes
Grade Level: Birth to Kindergarten
Summary: This book is a nursery rhyme about a farmer and all of his animals. One by one the farmer names his animals which are a cow, chicken, dog, pig, duck, horse, cat, and sheep. The name of each animal is said along with the sound that the animal makes ex. " The farmer has a duck, with a quack quack here ...).
Review: The book has great illustrations and shows students what the elements of a farm has (barn, animals, tractor). Every character in the book seems to be having a great time, and it shows by the expressions on their faces. The book is exciting, and I think young children will enjoy the rhythm.
Possible In-class Use:
1. Students do not have to be read this book. The teacher can have students stand up in a circle and sing this song, or they can sing this song on a walk outside.
2. The teacher can call on a student to pick an animal, and then the rest of the class has to say what sound that animal makes
March 29, 2019
Awards: none
Appropriate Grade Level(s): Pre K-Kindergaten
Summary: Old Macdonald Had a Farm by Pam Adams is an interactive song book that puts a little twist on the original Old Macdonald Song. It uses many different animals and animal sounds with bouncy illustrations. Some of the animals include dogs, sheep, pigs, ducks and more.
Review: This is a great book to introduce animals to children and their animal sounds. It is a fun and interactive story for all pre-k or kindergarten students to sing along to. I would definitely use this song book in my classroom.
In class uses:
-After the story, have your students draw a picture of what animal they would be. Have them share what animal sound the animal they drew makes.
-Create a dance to go along with the song and teach it to your students.
-Use props of the different animals in the books, distribute them to the class and have them hold up the animal whenever the animal is mentioned in the song.
Appropriate Grade Level(s): Pre K-Kindergaten
Summary: Old Macdonald Had a Farm by Pam Adams is an interactive song book that puts a little twist on the original Old Macdonald Song. It uses many different animals and animal sounds with bouncy illustrations. Some of the animals include dogs, sheep, pigs, ducks and more.
Review: This is a great book to introduce animals to children and their animal sounds. It is a fun and interactive story for all pre-k or kindergarten students to sing along to. I would definitely use this song book in my classroom.
In class uses:
-After the story, have your students draw a picture of what animal they would be. Have them share what animal sound the animal they drew makes.
-Create a dance to go along with the song and teach it to your students.
-Use props of the different animals in the books, distribute them to the class and have them hold up the animal whenever the animal is mentioned in the song.
November 28, 2018
Old Macdonald Had a Farm is a book containing the titular song and many pictures to accompany it. The bright, colorful, and detailed pictures and the fact that each page has one more hole cut out than the last to reveal each new animal in the song makes the book very fun and engaging for young children. Most children are already familiar with the song and even if they are not, there is a large amount of repetition that makes it easy for them to read along. The book can be read or sung, though I would personally suggest singing it. I think its more fun this way. Additionally, the Old Macdonald in this book is wearing a kilt and traditional hat which allow for the perfect opportunity to teach about cultural awareness and acceptance!
December 9, 2018
1. I would read with pre-k-3rd grade
2. This book is about Old MacDonald and his farm. It gives readers a look at the many different farm animals Old MacDonald has and the noises they make. It is a great story time book.
3. I would recommend this book, it is a catchy nursery rhyme and song that could be read or sung. It will teach children about the different sounds farm animals make. This book is very repetitive and a fun way to learn.
4. This can be used in a classroom when discussing different animals and the noises they make. After reading this book, students can do a worksheet matching animals to their noises and coloring the page. This book can also be used to label different animals and items on a farm.
2. This book is about Old MacDonald and his farm. It gives readers a look at the many different farm animals Old MacDonald has and the noises they make. It is a great story time book.
3. I would recommend this book, it is a catchy nursery rhyme and song that could be read or sung. It will teach children about the different sounds farm animals make. This book is very repetitive and a fun way to learn.
4. This can be used in a classroom when discussing different animals and the noises they make. After reading this book, students can do a worksheet matching animals to their noises and coloring the page. This book can also be used to label different animals and items on a farm.
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October 27, 20161. This book has not won any awards.
2. This book would be appropriate for ages 3-8.
3. In "Old MacDonald Had a Farm", we find out what animals live on the farm.
4. This book is a great read aloud. Children enjoy this book in song form just as much as they do in story form!
5. In class this book could be used as a circle time song warm up. Also, I would consider using this prior to a nap time (if there is one).
2. This book would be appropriate for ages 3-8.
3. In "Old MacDonald Had a Farm", we find out what animals live on the farm.
4. This book is a great read aloud. Children enjoy this book in song form just as much as they do in story form!
5. In class this book could be used as a circle time song warm up. Also, I would consider using this prior to a nap time (if there is one).
January 26, 2017
The big book version of this was perfect for the storytime crowd, but for the babies I did quit right after the pigs because I could feel the parents' attention start to flag. I also didn't repeat all the other animals on each spread, but just went with the new one.
Used for Farm Babies Round Two baby storytime January 2017.
Used for Farm Babies Round Two baby storytime January 2017.
December 6, 2018
This book is a great book when teaching children about different animals and developing their knowledge of the sounds animals make. I would recommend this book to kindergarteners and first graders learning about different animals and the sounds they make. I would love to do a lesson plan with this book in the future. A fantastic read.
August 17, 2008
This book is wonderful!
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August 11, 2009BB-Ada
May 1, 2011
This is a cute version of the song, with cut-outs where each animal peeks through.
May 4, 2011
This is a cute version of the song, with cut-outs where each animal peeks through.
April 12, 2012
This song is a lot longer than I remember! The last spread is pretty funny because all the animals have gotten loose.
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February 12, 2012Oversized book.
May 24, 2013
My two year old loves this book. All the cut outs of the animals and the illustration is great.
January 2, 2014
Totally servicable big book edition. Cute with the cut-outs, but nothing to write home about.
April 19, 2016
A fun version of the traditional song to use and sing together. I used it in baby storytime and it worked well.
October 9, 2017
Always a favorite with my younger learners!
December 5, 2017
Old MacDonald Had a Farm (Board Book)
by Pam Adams
using cut outs and great pictures build the nursery rhyme for you students. this i a great expansion of the song and story
by Pam Adams
using cut outs and great pictures build the nursery rhyme for you students. this i a great expansion of the song and story
October 3, 2019
A classic board book for kids with the classic song. My 8-month old loved it!
June 10, 2020
Old MacDonald Had a Farm is a great book/rhyme to teach children. Would recommend this book while singing along.
June 20, 2025
This little board book is brightly illustrated and features cut out windows that reveal the animal being sung about. Included are a dog, sheep, ducks, pigs, cows, a horse.
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July 14, 2018BB 19
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews