Nadine Bernard Westcott

Well I Guess There Is Always One In The Crowd...

Lots of other people seem to adore this book so I guess I have lost my sense of humor because I just don't like this particular version-- at least not for the 3 and under set.

My first objection stems from the use of bug spray by the 'old lady' to get rid of the fly. She is shown sitting on a couch surrounded by cans of depleted insecticide while spraying more in her mouth. Rather than find this funny, it scared me to think that some child show more might get a notion to copy this activity.

Then second is my objection to boiling a cat and chasing a dog with the same intent. Now most children wouldn't do this so that's not a problem but I still don't like the idea of introducing this weird concept to my little boy. (My son asked me if we needed to keep our cat inside and safe from the neighbors - hmmm.)

The funny part of all of this is that I don't mind when the old lady just pops the animals down her throat. Go figure. In any case, Nadine Westcott is a good story teller and her artwork is clever, but I still have to give this book two stars because of the above reservations.

The Accelerated Reading designation for this book is 2.0. Perma-Bound gives the Interest Level as Preschool thru 3rd Grade.

Pam T
mom and reviewer for www.BooksForKids-reviews.com show less

Funny adaptation of a classic clapping / nursery rhyme story. I liked it quite well, except for the stereotyped genders of the doctor and nurse.

“The Lady with the Alligator Purse” is about a lady that cures a young boy by feeding him pizza. In the poem the young boy is trying to eat everything in sight and the boy’s mother calls the doctor, the nurse, and the lady with the alligator purse. The doctor said it was mumps, the nurse said it was measles, and the lady said “PIZZA!” So the boy at the pizza, and they all went on their merry way. This is a cute story to read to small children. It is a short read that is quite show more comical and the illustrations in this book make it even better. I think children can learn from this book because it teaches them to not automatically think the worst. While the doctor and the nurse thought it was something sickening, really the boy was just hungry.
Extension:
1. Pizza party
2. Make our own purses with reminders in them to keep calm and think rationally about situations. show less

There are flies in the sugarbowl, cats in the buttermilk, and pigs in the parlor. There are cows in the kitchen, roosters in the pantry, and sheep in the bathtub. What to do?

And what happens when the farm animals are dancing around the house and the farmer is about to return?

This charming retelling of the folk song “Skip to My Lou” is sure to be great fun for young readers. It’s delightfully silly and infectious . . . filled with chuckles for young readers and parents alike. The show more appealing illustrations in this picture book combined with the engaging rhyme make this a book destined to become a favorite.

Highly recommended. show less