There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs

"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 ' Read it."

--Ann L. Davis, head of children's services, Napa City-County Library, Napa, California

"Johnette Downing knows the child's mind and the child's heart deeply. Her reshaping of the classic tale and her striking illustrations are documentation of her brilliant visitations into those places where the child's imagination resides."

--Darrell Bourque, Louisiana poet laureate 2009-2011

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.