THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY by Simms Taback

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY
Tabeck, Simms. 1997. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY. New York: Penguin Group.  ISBN: 067068938.

2.    PLOT SUMMARY
This version of THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY, retold and illustrated by Simms Tabeck, is a favorite American folk poem/song. First heard sometime in the 1940’s, the true author remains unknown. This humorous story describes a lady that swallowed a fly, spider, bird, cat, dog, cow and a horse. As the little old lady devours one of the animals, the die cut hole in her stomach takes on the shape of what she has currently swallowed and expands her waist line. The tale ends with the lady’s death. The sing song iteration really makes it fun for children to get involved with the story.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS
From the jacket of the book to the ending moral, this amazing illustrated book retells a most current folktale for children that they will simply fall in love with. Tabeck took the original folktale one step further. Each page is bursting with details and funny quips, from the different types of flies to directions on how to make spider soup, bringing the readers interest to a different level. The animals that have yet to become snacks make side comments that add a delightful spin to the tale. The little old lady, with her bloodshot eyes and silly smile, looks just zany enough to swallow the animal characters.

The book’s design, with the die cut holes, allows the readers to peer inside her rather growing stomach.  With the collage medium Tabeck uses to illustrate, torn colored paper on a black background, there is consistency throughout the retelling. The text appears to be handwritten on bright colored strips and placed haphazardly on to the page, giving the appearance of a ransom note. This style gives the book a feeling of fun, liveliness and makes it personal to the reader.

4.     REVIEW EXCERPTS
1998 Caldecott Honor Book

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “All in all, this illustrator provides an eye-catching, energy filled interpretation that could easily become a classic in itself.”  -Martha Topol, MI

KIRKUS review: “it is good clean fun to watch the old lady bulge and bloat, and the sheer corniness of the verse continues to be deeply gratifying.”

5.    CONNECTIONS
Gather other works by Simms Tabeck to evaluate his art techniques.
Visit Simms Tabecks official website for videos and Tybeck discussing his own works.
http://www.simmstaback.com/Welcome_to_Simms_Taback.html

Recording artist, Cyndi Laupers lyrical version.  A nice alternative to hear it to music then just read out loud.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSlK5YTI3XY