There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly (Read It Yourself)
Hy Murdock
There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly (Read It Yourself)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Hy Murdock
Illustrated by Terry Burton
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
This old woman can swallow the most unbelievable things — from a tiny fly to a huge horse! Each surprise gets bigger and sillier, making you wonder what she'll gulp down next and why it all matters so much.
Quick Assessment
This classic cumulative rhyme engages early readers with repetitive, rhythmic text paired with interactive adult questions that encourage close observation and critical thinking. Suitable for ages 5-8, it supports language development and comprehension through playful nonsense verses and vivid illustrations.
Why we rated There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly (Read It Yourself) 7C
There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly (Read It Yourself) is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly (Read It Yourself) works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly (Read It Yourself) as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly (Read It Yourself) explores children's poetry, nonsense-verses, early reading, family, and humor — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about children's poetry, nonsense-verses, early reading.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly!
Lucille Colandro
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly!
Lucille Colandro
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly
Jeremy Holmes
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly
Jeremy Holmes
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Book & Cassette.
Simms Taback
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Book & Cassette.
Simms Taback
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Gt Publishing
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Gt Publishing
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Nadine Westcott
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Nadine Westcott
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
William Stobbs
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
William Stobbs
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780721412665
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Penguin U S A
- Published
- March 1990
- Type
- Fiction