Once upon a time, there was a wicked witch who lived deep in the heart of a dark forest. This witch had a peculiar habit of swallowing strange things. It all began one fateful day when she swallowed a fly. She didn't mean to swallow it, but the pesky creature had flown straight into her mouth when she was mid-chant. The witch coughed and spluttered, cursing the insect as it buzzed around inside her. Confused and annoyed, the witch decided to swallow it to make it stop.
6. There was an old lady who swallowed a dog.
What a hog to swallow a dog!
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat.
Then around the 1980 s somebody played me a recording of something called a sean nos voice, and I recognized it as how my old fella had been singing. Growing up in 1960s England I used to be horribly embarrassed by my irish father s terrible voice which he insisted on inflicting on everyone at family gatherings.
Confused and annoyed, the witch decided to swallow it to make it stop. Little did she know, this choice would set off a chain of events that would bring her more trouble than she could have imagined. With the fly now in her belly, the witch's insides began to rumble and churn.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly! (Paperback)
A hilarious twist on the classic song from the bestselling There Was an Old Lady series for kids! You’ll never guess what she’ll swallow next!
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.
I don't know why she swallowed the fly.
She won't say why.
The old lady is swallowing a fly, a spider, a bird, and more. to create a home full of lovable pets! With rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this is the original song young readers know and love with a wacky twist. The perfect story to read all year long!
Also in the There Was an Old Lady series:
- There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat!
- There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick!
- There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Cow!
- and more!
About the Author
Jared Lee has illustrated more than 100 books for young readers. He has received awards from the Society of Illustrators, the Martha Kinney Cooper Ohioana Library Association, the National Cartoonists Society, and others. He lives in Ohio with his wife and a menagerie of dogs, cats, ponies, ducks, and a few unknown creatures.
Lucille Colandro has written many books for children, including the bestselling There Was an Old Lady series illustrated by Jared Lee.
- Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories
- Juvenile Fiction / Animals
- Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations
- Paperback (August 1st, 2010): $6.99
- Paperback (December 29th, 2020): $6.99
- Paperback (January 1st, 2012): $6.99
- Board book (July 6th, 2021): $6.99
- Paperback (July 1st, 2012): $6.99
- Board book (March 26th, 2019): $6.99
- Paperback (January 7th, 2014): $6.99
- CD-Audio (August 1st, 2011): $18.99
- Prebound (January 1st, 2012): $18.25
- Prebound (July 1st, 2012): $18.25
I know an old woman who swallowed a dog.
What a hog, to swallow a dog!
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird.
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
I don't know why she swallowed that fly.
Perhaps she'll die.
She could feel its wings fluttering against her stomach walls, causing her great discomfort. Desperate to get rid of the fly, the witch tried various spells and potions. She drank concoctions made from eye of newt and frog warts but nothing seemed to work. In fact, it only seemed to make the fly angrier. Weeks turned into months, and the witch's belly grew larger and rounder as the fly continued to thrive inside her. The witch's clothes no longer fit, and she became a spectacle in the forest with her oversized stomach. Word spread of the witch with a fly inside her. Villagers came from far and wide to witness the strange phenomenon. Some called her a freak, while others pitied her. But the witch became more determined than ever to rid herself of the fly. She ventured into the depths of the forest, seeking advice from wise old owls and talking trees. They suggested she try swallowing other creatures to catch the fly and release it. So, the witch swallowed a spider, a bird, a cat, a dog, and a horse, hoping that one of them would eat or scare away the fly. With each new creature she swallowed, the witch's discomfort only grew. The spider spun its web inside her, the bird pecked at her insides, the cat clawed her stomach, the dog barked incessantly, and the horse neighed loudly. The witch was in agony, regretting ever swallowing that first fly. In her desperation, the witch stumbled upon an old book of spells hidden deep within a hidden cave. She opened it, hoping to find a solution to her problem. To her surprise, she discovered a spell specifically for getting rid of swallowed flies. With trembling hands, the witch recited the incantation, feeling a surge of power coursing through her veins. Suddenly, her belly began to shake violently. The creatures she had swallowed were unleashed and burst out of her, one by one. Gasping for breath and covered in bruises, the witch surveyed the chaotic scene before her. The fly, however, remained stubbornly inside her. Frustrated but not defeated, the witch knew she would have to try another approach. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and swallowed her pride. With one final gulp, she swallowed her own fear and anxiety, embracing the fly as a part of herself. To her surprise, the fly flew out of her mouth, buzzing away into the forest. From that day forward, the wicked witch learned a valuable lesson about acceptance and self-compassion. She swore never to swallow strange things again, for she realized that sometimes the solution to our problems lies not in trying to rid ourselves of them, but in accepting them and finding peace within..
Reviews for "The Witch Who Swallowed a Fly: A Fun and Educational Story for Kids"
1. Karen - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Witch Who Swallowed a Fly". The story seemed disjointed and confusing, and I had a hard time following along. The illustrations were also lackluster and didn't capture my attention. Overall, I found the book to be unenjoyable and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mike - 1 star - "The Witch Who Swallowed a Fly" was a complete letdown. The writing was weak, and the rhymes felt forced and awkward. The plot lacked any depth or originality, and it felt like a lazy attempt at creating a children's book. Additionally, the illustrations were bland and uninspiring. I regret spending money on this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "The Witch Who Swallowed a Fly" to be a boring read. The story lacked any excitement or engaging moments, and the characters were forgettable. The rhyme scheme was repetitive and got old quickly. The illustrations were also a disappointment, as they lacked detail and failed to bring the story to life. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to children or parents looking for an enjoyable read.
4. Alex - 2.5 stars - "The Witch Who Swallowed a Fly" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The story felt rushed and didn't flow well, which made it difficult to follow along. The illustrations were okay, but they didn't stand out or add much to the overall experience. I also found some of the rhymes to be forced and unnatural. While it may still appeal to some young readers, I personally wouldn't recommend it as there are better options out there.