There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy

December 1, 2007
K-Gr 2-In this fourth Fly Guy adventure, the same big-eyed cartoon characters occupy ample white space and find themselves in a humorous situation. Grandma has, indeed, swallowed Fly Guy. The standard scenario unfolds and, in the end, everyone lives happily ever after. Though not the strongest in the series, the book will please fans and the fly will gain unprecedented sympathy. Beginning readers will enjoy practicing their new skill with familiar characters and a fun story.Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2007
This amusing entry in Arnolds Fly Guy beginning reader series opens with young Buzz and his pet insect Fly Guy bicycling out to visit Grandma on her farm. Open-mouthed with joy, Grandma gives Buzz such a whopping big hug that she knocks Fly Guy off his shoulder and down her throat. The scene shifts to the inside of Grandmas stomach, where islands of sandwich and apple core jut out of the digestive sludge. Just as Fly Guy starts to fly up and out, a succession of ever larger animalsshoot down Grandmas gullet.Right before she swallows a horse, though, Buzz calls Fly Guy out, and the madness ends happily. This short book is a supportive choice for beginning readers; children familiar with the song will find help in the lyrics as well asin the comical illustrations featuring skinny-legged, broad-necked characters with googly eyes. Great fun for reading alone, sharing with a friend, or entertaininga class.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2008
In his fourth adventure, Buzz's pet fly, Fly Guy, accidentally gets swallowed by Buzz's grandmother. Mirroring the song, Grandma swallows increasingly larger animals to catch Fly Guy until Buzz finally rescues him. Divided into short chapters, the text features simple sentences and silly exaggerated illustrations, all successfully putting Fly Guy's particular spin on this familiar tale.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)