Old Macdonald Had A Farm

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 6, 2018

Review

The classic Old Macdonald song gets a refreshing upgrade with the whimsical, scraggly stylized watercolors by Grimly. As the smiley, pointy-toed farmer surveys his chickens, turkey, ducks, donkey, pigs, cow and sheep he gathers them up for a parade through the vast fields and ends at the barn which houses--a bear! The second read of this classic song will show the hidden surprises that Grimly adds to the action. A chick's eye peeks out of an unhatched egg while a rat licks his chops. The cat gleefully watches the farmer hug his turkey while the rat's tail hangs out of the cat's mouth. Grimly includes a two page explanation with black and white photographs about his own history with the song. The music for the song is also included. The end pages feature a collage of all the animals in the story and the various animal sounds them represent. A perfect addition for story times.

Overall Book Score: very good