From: Melody Allen <melodyan>
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 10:22:22 -0500

I think what stands out about There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is the way the illustrated emphasized the absurdity of the tale/song. The alternative lines show the playfulness of the song and encourage imaginative interpretation. They also involve the reader/listener in an active process of involvement with the book. The cut-outs are satisfyingly meaningful as they convey the increasing size of each animal, making the putting of each animal in her stomach incredibly real in its physical depiction and, of course, gross. This is fun and you are meant to laugh and participate after all.

It was pointed out to me that if you stand back about 10 feet from the cover of Rapunzel, you will appreciate the amazing three dimensionality of the tower. By the way, I noticed seeing all four Caldecott titles on display that the covers are all in varying tones of the same color palate. Interesting, but I'm sure insignificant.

Melody Allen Melodyan at lori.state.ri.us
Received on Mon 26 Jan 1998 09:22:22 AM CST