Illustrated by: John O'Brien
Recommended for: Children in Grades Pre-K -2
Themes: Fiction, Music
Summary:
The musical version of I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello is an entertaining story about a young man who swallows instruments. However, in this version after swallowing several different instruments the young fellow does not die. Instead he begins to cough each up, one at a time, with the instruments playing each time he opens his mouth.
Children will love the predictable pattern that the old fellow follows in swallowing the instruments as well as the alternative ending given. They will also enjoy the wonderful illustrations which show the fellows shape changing as he swallows each illustration.
Suggestions for the Classroom:
This would be an excellent book to read in conjunction with I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly to add a musical component to your read alouds. Children will enjoy opportunities to act out the sounds that the instruments make or motions of playing them with you as you read.
*Pre-Reading Activities: Introduce some musical instruments to the students using pictures and musical clips (if available), demonstrating how they are played. Tell them that we will be reading a story today and when we read about each instrument we will stop and pretend that we are playing that instrument.
*During Reading: Throughout the story, as each instrument is introduced pause and have students mimic you as you make the motions of playing the instrument (as previously decided upon). Allow time to pause at the end of page for children to raise there hands and comment on the story (look at that picture, you can see the cello in his belly).
*Post-Reading Activities: Ask students to share with an elbow partner their favorite part of the story, one being the speaker and the other the listener. After about 45 seconds, ask them to switch roles and have the other partner share. After the second partner has shared, give some of the students an opportunity to share what was their partners favorite part of the story (students can mimic the instruments during this share time if it goes with their selection).
Barbara S. Garriel writes books about music for elementary and middle school students. She maintains a website where you can read about her books and learn more about her. In addition to writing books, Garriel travels to schools, libraries and museums to teach children about writing. She has worked previously as a teacher in Long Island, New York and she enjoys writing because it gives her extended opportunities to share with children her passion for reading, writing and music.
John O'Brien has illustrated over 40 children's books, both fiction and non-fiction. His illustrations can be found in the Who Was... biography collection, such as:Who Was Thomas Alva Edison, Who Was Marco Polo, and Who Was Elvis Presley. He lives in New Jersey and his illustrations can also be found weekly in the New Jersey section of the New York Times. O'Brien can also be found working as a lifeguard for the North Wildwood Beach Patrol, lifeguarding is a job that he has had since 1970. In his free time he enjoys drawing, going out on his paddlewheel boat, playing the banjo and has even recently begun to play the bagpipes.
Sounds like a great version of I know an old lady. We have a few different versions of this in my home, and the kids always love them! I have never heard of this one, but I am going to look for it now! I like the idea of introducing the musical instruments before the book, this is especially important because some districts are cutting some of their music programs, so this will be a great oppurtunity for music education. This also looks like a fun book that will make children giggle, and I love that you want them to chat with a partner and then share with the class. Sounds like a fun rugtime activity.
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Bridgid, it is a great book but the vocabulary is more complex. A bit gross at the end but little boys and girls would like that. I think it is important to teach children about music and this book, with a familiar pattern, is a great way to do it.
ReplyDeleteAnd so the Album continues, with almost every track taking you to yet another style and another excellent hook. violin teacher
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