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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (2015) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Name: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Rating: 4.0 (2 reviews)
Author: Lucille Colandro

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

This rhyming cumulative tale introduces an old lady who swallows increasingly larger animals in a desperate attempt to catch a fly. The story follows a nonsensical and absurd premise as the old lady's situation escalates with each new creature she consumes.

Picture Book • 2015 • 32 pages • Pre-K - 2nd Grade

by Lucille Colandro

4.0

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

This is a whimsical, cumulative rhyming story based on the classic nursery rhyme about an eccentric old lady who eats a series of increasingly large animals. The book is very low-intensity and intended for young children, featuring light slapstick humor and repeating refrains. The only potential concern is the mild absurdity of the ending, where it is implied the lady dies after eating a horse, though it is handled as a humorous rhyme… Sign up for the full guide

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Is There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly appropriate for kids?

Content severity in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Sex None 0/10

Violence Mild 1/10

Language None 0/10

Substances None 0/10

Themes Mild 2/10

What happens in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, moment by moment

p. 2 ⚔ Violence & Gore 1/10
p. 6 ⚔ Violence & Gore 1/10
p. 10 ⚔ Violence & Gore 1/10

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Sex and nudity in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

This is a children's nursery rhyme book with absolutely no romantic or sexual content. The character is a solitary, eccentric grandmother-like figure. There are no scenes involving dating, relationships, or physical attraction. The focus remains entirely on her bizarre eating habits and the rhythmic repetition of the animal names. This lack of adult content makes the book highly suitable for its target audience of toddlers and preschoolers.

Violence and gore in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

The book features very mild cartoonish peril presented through a whimsical lens. The central gag involves the lady swallowing live animals like a fly, a spider, a cat, and even a cow. While the concept of consumption exists, there is no blood, gore, or suffering depicted in the illustrations. The animals are shown living inside her in a comical fashion. The final page concludes with the line 'She's dead, of course' after she eats a horse, serving as a silly punchline rather than a realistic depiction of death.

Language in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

There is no profanity, slang, or offensive language used throughout the story. The text consists entirely of clean, rhyming verses and simple vocabulary designed to help young children with phonics and memory. The repetitive nature of the storytelling focuses on rhythmic patterns and animal sounds. Even the final mention of death is handled as a standard nursery rhyme trope without any crude or inappropriate undertones. Parents can read the entire text aloud without concern for any aggressive or exclusionary…

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

No alcohol, drug, or tobacco use appears in this classic children's book. The old lady's consumption is limited to a fantastical list of insects and animals, staying strictly within the realm of nonsense nursery rhymes. There are no scenes involving medication or adult beverages at any point. The narrative remains entirely wholesome and free of any references to substances or adult habits. The focus is purely on the absurdity of her diet and the cumulative nature of the song.

Mature themes in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

The story explores the themes of consequences and absurdity in a fantastical, non-realistic way. It illustrates how one small problem, like swallowing a fly, can lead to a cascading series of increasingly desperate and nonsensical solutions. The tone is lighthearted, focusing on the humor of the lady's impossible physical feats. While the ending implies her demise, the overarching theme is one of playful exaggeration and the traditional structure of tall tales. It encourages imagination and the recognition of…

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is best for ages 3+. This is a whimsical, cumulative rhyming story based on the classic nursery rhyme about an eccentric old lady who eats a series of increasingly large animals. The book is very low-intensity and intended for young…

What age rating does There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly have?

Books don't carry official age ratings. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is published for a Picture Book audience, and Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 3+.

What reading level is There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly?

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is 32 pages and its reading level is Pre-K - 2nd Grade. Bontent recommends it for ages 3+.

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Is there sex or nudity in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly?

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Is the language in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly appropriate for kids?

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly?

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