07/27/2015
The duo behind There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea, There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog, and other titles soldier on with a Halloween-themed riff on the cumulative “There Was an Old Lady” nursery rhyme. In this version, a bulgy-eyed mummy rises from its sarcophagus and proceeds to swallow a string of objects, animals, and people, including a spider, crow, bone, and witch. In increasingly frenetic cartoons, Gray stages the debacle on the grounds of a quintessential haunted house, precariously perched in a tree over a graveyard. Full-spread scenes of the mummy chasing his victims alternate with glimpses of what’s going on in his belly—the swallowed creatures appear to be having a reasonably good time, simmering green witch’s brew over a campfire—which should make for some enjoyably silly Halloween reading. Ages 4–8. Agent: Stefanie Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary. (July)
This book has something for everyone and is sure to be a hit in any children’s collection.” —School Library Journal
“In [There Was an Old Mummy Who Swallowed a Spider], a bulgy-eyed mummy rises from its sarcophagus and proceeds to swallow a string of objects, animals, and people, including a spider, crow, bone, and witch. In increasingly frenetic cartoons, [Steve] Gray stages the debacle on the grounds of a quintessential haunted house, precariously perched in a tree over a graveyard. Full-spread scenes of the mummy chasing his victims alternate with glimpses of what’s going on in his belly—the swallowed creatures appear to be having a reasonably good time, simmering green witch’s brew over a campfire—which should make for some enjoyably silly Halloween reading.” —Publishers Weekly
“Ward and Gray exchange the little old lady for an old mummy, and the book gets pleasantly goofy from there...For preschoolers who want a Halloween book that is more silly than scary.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Cartoonish digital illustrations use lots of wide, fearful eyes and luminous backgrounds to make the graveyard and haunted-castle settings glow with Halloween anticipation.” —Horn Book Magazine
09/01/2015
PreS-Gr 2—A new play on the familiar song. In her latest picture book foray, in addition to a spider, Ward's mummy swallows a rat, a crow, a bone from a skeleton, some brew, a witch, and a ghost. In the end, "There was an old mummy—/this story is true./You'd better look out,/or he'll swallow…YOU, too!" Gray's bold illustrations in shades of pink, black, and night-sky blue are wonderfully humorous with a bit of a scare for the younger crowed. The different characters depicted are quirky, many with googly eyes. This is a great tale for Halloween storytimes because of its large trim size and drawings that leap right off the page. It could also be used in primary classes for comparing and contrasting with similarly themed books. Older children can peruse the tombstones for the funny rhymes, such as "Milton Hyde—we put him here because he died." VERDICT This book has something for everyone and is sure to be a hit in any children's collection.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, formerly at Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
2015-07-15
Ward and Gray exchange the little old lady for an old mummy, and the book gets pleasantly goofy from there. Cartoon illustrations with Technicolor clarity follow a round-eyed mummy as he traipses from the cemetery to a haunted house. Along the way he swallows a spider, rat, crow, bone, brew, witch, and a ghost. Obviously the narrator doesn't "know why he swallowed the spider," but the rhyme always ends with an odd "Open wider!" Even though the transitions from item to consumed item seem a bit arbitrary, young readers will focus on the comic details and opportunity to chime in with the familiar song. Fortunately for sensitive children, all the live creatures that end up in the mummy's tummy appear to be getting along well enough. Just remember: "There was an old mummy— / this story is true. / You'd better look out, / or he'll swallow… // YOU, too! / BOO!" For preschoolers who want a Halloween book that is more silly than scary. (Picture book. 4-6)
