The Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs

By Johnette Downing

A gross and giggle-inducing take on the classic children’s song with “sly humor and a bit of the unexpected presented with bold art” (School Library Journal).
 
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly . . . Young readers will love hearing about the fly and all the other creepy-crawly bugs the old lady gulps down in this fanciful feast. With a taste for slugs, the old lady enjoys a poached roach, a squirmy worm, a wiggly spider, and more during the course of the tale. And a surprise ending reveals that this isn’t just any old lady.
Accompanied by Johnette Downing’s signature colorful collage illustrations, this good and gross tale pops off the page with its fun, musical language and whimsical look at the insect food chain.
 
“Johnette Downing has done it again . . . Another entertaining read for young ones.” —Baton Rouge Advocate
 
“As an enthusiast of fractured tales and a big fan of Johnette’s songs and stories, I give Johnette’s new book a big ten thumbs up. Her funny and surprising version gives a new twist to an old favorite. It is ‘kidtastic!’” —Ann L. Davis, head of children’s services, Napa City-County Library, Napa, California

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Sep 2, 2010
• ISBN: 9781455605477

Johnette Downing

The recipient of the Louisiana Writer Award, Johnette Downing is a musician, author, illustrator, and poet dedicated to sharing her Louisiana roots with children. The author of thirty books and twelve recordings, Johnette has performed concerts, author visits, and educator workshops on five continents. A former early-childhood music teacher, she is passionate about combining music and stories to celebrate childhood, culture, and literacy. Downing lives in New Orleans, Louisiana and Newburyport, Massachusetts with her husband, Scott. Heather Stanley's illustrations and designs are inspired by animals and the natural wonders of our world. Stanley received a BFA from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and an MFA from Radford University in Virginia. Stanley is the Director of Creative Services at Audubon Nature Institute and uses her talents to educate people about nature and wildlife. This is the third book she has illustrated with Johnette Downing. Stanley was raised in Louisiana and lives near New Orleans with her family.

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