Preschool Book Review - Old Black Fly

From the Preschool Book

About the Preschool Book

"Mama, Sister, Baby, and Gramma chase an old black fly through the house - and the alphabet - as it coughs on the cookies and nibbles on the noodles and pesters the parrot. It'll take a nasty trick to get rid of this old black fly . . . and these are just the folks to think one up!" - From the book jacket

From the Reviewer

Old Black Fly is a surprising twist on the traditional alphabet book. The pesky old black fly is making trouble all over the house and all through the alphabet. He ate the crust on the apple pie and bothered the baby and made her cry. This wonderfully rhythmic story mesmerizes preschoolers and will quickly become a favorite. Alphabet letters are printed in large block letters and are bolded on each page so they easily stand out. Preschoolers can take turns finding the letters of the alphabet as you read through the story.

Sing a Story

Old Black Fly can be sung as well as read. Preschoolers love the change of pace that singing brings to story time. Preschoolers can participate in the story by singing the repeating phrases "Shoo fly! Shoo fly! Shooo." while shaking their finger back and forth.

Innovative Illustrations

Stephen Gammell's wonderful splatter painted illustrations are in a class all their own. They have received some criticism for looking "germy", but they add so much to the story. Bright colors explode on every page as the old black fly causes mayhem all through the house.

A Personal Favorite

Old Black Fly is one of my personal favorites. The unexpected main character, the red eyed, germ ridden, fuzzy black fly, is surprisingly enjoyable. Preschoolers love the crazy things that the old black fly does and he goes through the house. Who hasn't been bothered by a pesky fly that just won't seem to go away? Preschoolers and adults can relate to this crazy tale. The musical rhyme is so much fun to sing with preschoolers and makes this book easy to read over and over again.