I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a FlyStorybook + CD #Review & #Giveaway

If you haven't already read in previous posts, that we're getting ready for preschool in our house, that surely is the case around here. I'm trying to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for my little being away from me for three hours a day, three days a week, but more importantly, I am trying to get B emotionally and mentally ready for the big adjustment. We have just two weeks left before his first day, and I am using that time to get him into a routine, as to what he might experience when he goes to school.

One of the ways we have been spending our time, is that we've been reading a lot. We just received a special new book that is not only fun to read together, but has a few special surprises along with it, as well.

One of the most iconic and well known children's songs comes to life through I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, which is a beautifully illustrated book, featuring the famous rhyme, written by Alan Mills over 50 years ago. I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is a new release by The Secret Mountain, which offers beautiful, interactive storybooks. This particular book comes with a special music CD, so you can listen and sing along with the rhyming songs as you flip through the pages of the storybook.

The Secret Mountain is dedicated to the creation of children’s books, applications and music of the highest quality. Last year, the company released the Parents' Choice Gold Award-winning book-CD: Listen to the Birds - An introduction to Classical Music.

About Alan Mills

Alan Mills (1913-1977) was a well-known Canadian folksinger, writer, actor, and radio host. For generations, I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, written with Rose Bonne in 1952, has embedded itself as an integral part of childhood across North America. It was recorded by such luminaries as Burl Ives, Peter, Paul and Mary, Judy Collins, Cyndi Lauper, and sung by countless other performers and

parents. Folkways Records released more than 20 of Alan Mills’ albums in both English and French. A popular CBC radio personality, Mills became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1974.

We were thrilled to receive our very own copy of I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.

I thumbed through the pages first, and found the illustrations quite delightful. I couldn't wait for B to see the book.

In the back of the book, was a CD in a sleeve. I think it's so cool that there is music to go along with the book!

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly was one of those songs that my sister and I loved to sing over and over again when we were little. The songs tells the story of an old lady who swallows a fly, and then swallows larger insects and animals, in hopes that each one will consume the previously consumed one, but to her detriment. It's a very silly and quirky song, which is quite catchy. I hadn't yet taught it to B, and was excited to teach him some new rhymes as we read this book together.

Singers Thomas Hellman and Emilie Clepper breathe new life into old traditions, performing rootsy renditions of jaunty songs composed by Alan Mills in the 50's.

We headed to B's room for storytime, and I played the CD as I sat and looked through the storybook with him. He was intrigued by the song and illustrations from the get-go.

B, wondering why anyone would want to swallow a fly?

We laughed and sang along as the Old Lady swallowed a spider and cat...

...and counted just how many animals this old lady swallowed!

After we enjoyed the first song, which was so much to listen to, B noticed that there were more pages to the book. There are twelve songs included on the CD, and they are all illustrated in the book. I Know an Old Lady is the only extended song that continues over several pages in the storybook, and the rest of the songs each have one corresponding illustrated page in the book, with the lyrics fully printed.

Songs Include

1. I Know and Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

2. Animal Alphabet Song

3. Heel Toe and Away We Go

4. 123 ABCD

5. My Father's in the City

6. Sailing Over the Sea

7. Once I Had an Old Red Hen

8. Per Fiddler

9. The Hungry Goat

10. Sing a Little Song Along with Me

11. Twelve Kittens

12. The Twelve Months of the Year

B, enjoying the 123 ABCD song...

Our favorite songs included are 'Heel Toe and Away We Go,' 'I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,' 'The Twelve Months of the Year, and 'Sailing Over the Sea.' I'm sure that the more we listen to the CD, the more songs we'll learn and come to love! We have been playing the CD at home, and have been listening to it while we do chores, while we play, while we do our daily preschool at home lessons and activities, etc. My hope is that by doing this at home in these weeks leading up to the start of the new school year, B will know what to expect and will be super excited about learning and experiencing new things in a new environment with new friends.

We're so glad to have this wonderful storybook and CD in our personal library of children's stories and songs. Reading and music time are both special to us, and I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly combines two elements that we love so dearly. This is a wonderful way to engage one child, or a whole group of children for circle time, storytime, music time, etc. It's so much fun to see the songs and stories that I loved as a child come to life in a way that my own child loves and will carry with him throughout his life, and hopefully pass down to his own children someday.

Details of I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Presented by The Secret Mountain

CD Duartion: 39 minutes

Ages 3-8

Suggested retail price: $16.95

Available in Hardcover or iPad Book

Want It? Buy It!

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly will be available for purchase on September 1, 2014, and is currently available for pre-order. For more information, or to pre-order your own copy, visit The Secret Mountain. You can stay up to date on releases from The Secret Mountain through their e-newsletter. You can also connect with The Secret Mountain on Facebook.

Want It? Win It!

One lucky reader will win their very own hardcover copy of I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly storybook with music CD. This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older. No PO Boxes, please. Just use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter for your chance to win!

Special thanks to our friends at The Secret Mountain for sharing this wonderful storybook and CD with us, and for offering this wonderful giveaway for our readers.

Good luck!