Mary Had a Little Lamb [Board book]

sarah josepha hale (Author), Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 1 and up

Since this nursery rhyme first appeared in 1830, children have loved it. When Tomie dePaola discovered that Hale had been born near his New Hampshire home, he knew he wanted to illustrate this perennial favorite.

DePaola uses his signature folk art style and sets the poem in a tradi- tional 19th century New England setting. The result is an endearing interpretation of the little lamb that followed Mary to school and how the teacher handled it.

Back in print after fifteen years and in a board book format for the first time, Mary Had a Little Lamb will be cherished for generations of children to come.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

McMillan, the accomplished photographer/creator of many innovative concept picture books, has imaginatively adapted this classic rhyme into an effective contemporary photo-essay. Mary is a perky bespectacled black child who sports yellow overalls; her lamb is snowy white and understandably lovable. The children pictured throughout this fresh, appealing presentation seem relaxed and unposed, and McMillan has coaxed wonderful expressions from all his subjects--even the surprisingly personable lamb. An intriguing afterword includes the history of the poem, the original 1830 version and an excerpt from the 1857 edition of McGuffey's Old Second Reader. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

It is difficult to set a classic piece of poetry in the historical context in which it belongs and at the same time enable it to evolve and stay alive and fresh. But that is just what McMillan has so artfully done in this picture-book version of the poem. In an inventive blend of layout and design, he meshes the old and new together. The delicate endpapers and old-fashioned edgings to the photographs all serve as the proper background for the black, bespectacled young girl who is the model for Mary and the real coup of the book. This is a Mary who goes to school in an old-fashioned building, but with a male teacher. With her bright smile and yellow overalls, she is sure to connect with children meeting Mary for the first time. Mary has been portrayed elsewhere, such as in the picture-book version by Tomie dePaola (Holiday, 1984) as a lovely old-fashioned figure complete with pinafore and ringlets. McMillan has proven that this is no longer a universal portrayal. The fine design and excellent color scheme as well as the afterword, original poem, and explanations about the book make this a wonderfully crafted book that no library should miss. --Jane Marino, White Plains Pub . Lib . , NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Board book: 28 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (January 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039924221X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399242212
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #844,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZON! EDITORIAL AND CUSTOMER REVIEWS ARE FOR WRONG BOOK!, May 8, 2005

By 

Kelly Mathews - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mary Had a Little Lamb (Board book)

ALERT TO ALL READERS AND AMAZON CONTENT EDITORS YOU HAVE REVIEWS HERE FOR MCMILLAN, NOT HALE & TOMIE DEPAOLA VERSION! THIS IS THE SARAH JOSEPHA HALE AND TOMIE DEPAOLA VERSION. IT IS TOLD IN A LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE EARLY AMERICAN PIONEER SETTING NOT MODERN TIMES, NOR WITH A YOUNG BLACK GIRL AS MARY. THERE ARE CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT ETHNICITIES IN THE CLASS.
That said, this is a fine and worthy book, full of color and the graphic remind me of woodcut style. The lyrics are poignant, as are the illustrations. Great for toddlers as this is a board book. My toddler loves the bright colors and clear definitions of drawings. This story ends on a high note with the teacher telling the children that her lamb loves her so because she takes care of him and that each child can have the special affections of a pet animal if they treat the animal with kindness. Really great if you have a child wanting a pet. Good for discussing what being kind means, because it's more than feeding or cleaning up after a pet, it's thinking of the pet's needs with love, not as a chore; you can explain that when they understand this anjd show it, then they can have a pet!

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Pictures to Accompany a Classic Poem, September 20, 2005

By 

A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com "What should ... (Glen Ellyn, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mary Had a Little Lamb (Board book)

That Mary had a little lamb is a known fact. That the lamb followed her everywhere, and even to school is common knowledge.

Why, then, a book "Mary Had a Little Lamb?" As adults, we might think the story has been done to death. Children are new to it, and so begins the enjoyment.

Sarah Josepha Hale wrote the original in 1830, with 24 lines. Most of us are only familiar with the first six. Included here is the entire poem, with illustrations by Tomie dePaola.

As with any book for younger children, the pictures help tell the story. DePaola's illustrations have a woodcut, watercolor look to them. They have a flavor that tends to the way pictures were done years ago, before technology computerized children's illustrations.

A few paragraphs before and after the story explain briefly the history and controversy of the poem. Its authorship was questioned, although Hale is generally considered the true writer.

I fully recommend "Mary Had a Little Lamb" by Sarah Josepha Hale and Tomie dePaola.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must have, March 9, 2007

By 

Luiza Marrandino (Shangri-La) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mary Had a Little Lamb (Board book)

This is a wonderful book that I look forward to reading to my son day after day for its beautiful poem and detailed and unique artwork. My thirteenth-month old son absolutely loves the book, especially when I sing it to him. This book also teaches the wonderful bond that can be had between children, adults and animals through caring deeply for all creatures.

This review refers to the Sarah Hale / Tomie de Paula book