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Old Black Fly Paperback – Picture Book, March 15, 1995


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Nothing drives a family crazy faster than an old black fly on a hot summer day, especially when the family's a little crazy already. And this fly is as bad as they come. He knows every low-down trick in the book--and won't rest until he's gone through them all.

He ate on the crust
of the Apple pie.
He bothered the Baby
and made her cry.
Shoo fly!
Shoo fly!
Shooo.


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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

PW dubbed this rhythmic journey through the alphabet on the back of a pesky housefly an "ebullient picture-book romp," lauding the "waggish presentation of a basic concept." Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“A wild, alphabetical romp.” ―Booklist

“* Sure to become a classic.” ―
School Library Joumal, starred review

“Aylesworth's buoyant, rhythmic verse provides inspiration for a wondrous evolution of Gammell's style.... Sheer delight for eyes, ears, and funny-bones.” ―
Kirkus Reviews, pointer

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt & Company; Reprint edition (March 15, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805039244
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805039245
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD400L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.05 x 0.55 x 9.95 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
204 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the illustrations beautiful, colorful, and pleasing to the eye. They say the book is fun to read and sing to young children. Readers appreciate the rhythmic language, rhymes, and alliteration. They describe the book as fabulous, educational, and perfect for elementary music students.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

10 customers mention "Color palette"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations beautiful, colorful, and messy. They also say the book is imaginative and cute.

"...are superb, the subject matter keeps kids interested, and the illustrations are lovely. I finally had to buy it after wearing down the library copy...." Read more

"...The brilliant use of color and messy pictures are sooo pleasing to the eye. The verses are so catchy and cute. A guaranteed crowd pleaser" Read more

"...The rhyme is great, and the pictures are wonderful. She especially loves the page where the black fly gets swatted...." Read more

"...The illustrations are beautiful, too! I gladly recommend this book." Read more

8 customers mention "Fun to read"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderful and imaginative. They say it's fun to read to children and sing to a young child. Readers also mention the subject matter keeps kids interested and the alliteration is superb.

"...language, rhymes and alliteration are superb, the subject matter keeps kids interested, and the illustrations are lovely...." Read more

"This is a wonderful, fun and educational book. It covers the alphabet, rhyming and a repeating line as well...." Read more

"...What a great teacher and author he is! Old Black Fly is so much fun to read to children...." Read more

"This book is wonderfully fun and imaginative with fantastic illustrations--Not like anything I had ever seen or read...." Read more

7 customers mention "Rhythm"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the rhythm of the book superb. They say it covers the alphabet, has a great sign song pattern, and helps with sounding out letters in preparation for learning to read.

"...The rhythmic language, rhymes and alliteration are superb, the subject matter keeps kids interested, and the illustrations are lovely...." Read more

"This is a wonderful, fun and educational book. It covers the alphabet, rhyming and a repeating line as well...." Read more

"...The rhyme is great, and the pictures are wonderful. She especially loves the page where the black fly gets swatted...." Read more

"...Buh-Buh-Baby, Duh-Duh-Dog and so forth. It helps with sounding out letters in preparation of learning to read." Read more

5 customers mention "Literacy"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fabulous, educational, and fun. They say it's perfect for elementary music students to use in a small group center. Readers also mention the kids love the interaction with the story.

"...The kids love the interaction with the story which is an alphabet story about an annoying fly...." Read more

"This is a wonderful, fun and educational book. It covers the alphabet, rhyming and a repeating line as well...." Read more

"Perfect for my elementary music students to use in a small group center before using it as a basis for rhythm patterns & form with percussion..." Read more

"...This book is so much for kids and adults!" Read more

Bleh art but flowing text great for interactive read alouds or to put in ABC center of classroom
3 out of 5 stars
Bleh art but flowing text great for interactive read alouds or to put in ABC center of classroom
It is okay. I bought it because Pinterest had a list of ABC books for my ABC center for my classroom of five years olds — this was one of them. I can see it being very interactive which is important for this age. Predictive text they can join in to “read.” I am not a fan of this art style-good artist, just not my style, especially the creepy humans. But the story is fluid and flowing.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2018
My kids are five, three, and one, and all of them are entranced by this book. The rhythmic language, rhymes and alliteration are superb, the subject matter keeps kids interested, and the illustrations are lovely. I finally had to buy it after wearing down the library copy. I would highly recommend this book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2013
Absolutely one of my favorite books to read to first graders. I tell them every time I show the picture, you say shoo fly! shoo fly! Shoo! (the refrain from the verse) and wave your hand to shoo the fly away. The kids love the interaction with the story which is an alphabet story about an annoying fly. At the end of the story I slam the book shut and then show them the splatter page at the end of the book. The kids just love it and go out of the library saying "shoo fly! shoo fly! Shoo!" They always ask me to read it again. The brilliant use of color and messy pictures are sooo pleasing to the eye. The verses are so catchy and cute. A guaranteed crowd pleaser
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2013
This is a wonderful, fun and educational book. It covers the alphabet, rhyming and a repeating line as well. My special needs students love this book. One student can "read"it by memory because of the rhymes and another non verbal student can grunt a rhythm to the repeating line. Both get excited when I mention the book. On the other hand, my own healthy children love it as well. It has brought me much joy at work and home.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2015
My granddaughter and I first checked this out from our public library after hearing it at story time. She fell in love with it and we checked it out which led to buying her own copy. The rhyme is great, and the pictures are wonderful. She especially loves the page where the black fly gets swatted. She has caught on to a lot of the rhyme and helps me read it. Definitely a library keeper!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2014
I took a children's literature class in college (back in the 90s) and author Jim Aylesworth was the instructor. What a great teacher and author he is! Old Black Fly is so much fun to read to children. You follow a mischievous black fly as he buzzes through the alphabet. The illustrations are beautiful, too! I gladly recommend this book.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2019
SAW THIS BOOK AT MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and had to buy it for the grandsons. Love it!!! And it is in great condition as all the books I have bought on Amazon. Thanks.
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2015
This book is wonderfully fun and imaginative with fantastic illustrations--Not like anything I had ever seen or read. It may be odd, but it's certainly something we all should be able to relate to. I laughed out loud and would highly recommend itfor anyone of any age!
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2018
We really like this book. We put a lot of emphasis on the letters when reading. Buh-Buh-Baby, Duh-Duh-Dog and so forth. It helps with sounding out letters in preparation of learning to read.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kendra
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
Reviewed in Canada on March 3, 2022
My daughter can't get enough. Runs around saying "old black fly, buzzin around, buzzin around, buzzin around"
crazyjen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great interactive book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2014
First saw it 15 years ago when my sister had it for my nieces, they loved it. Bought it for my son who loved it and now I've bought it for my God son. They love the rhymes, and the pictures. The best bit is when you get to slam the book shut!
Claire Sather
5.0 out of 5 stars Another winning review from the 4-year-old crowd!
Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2013
My 4-year-old granddaughter has had this read to her so many times she pretty much has it memorized. Who doesn't love "old black fly's been buzzin' around, buzzin' around, buzzin around??
db
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2015
Best ABC book ever!