The classic nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb” seems to never get old. This book gives line for line words to the nursery rhyme. Some of the lines I did not know where in the song because I have only heard the song through word of mouth. The illustrations give life to the story in a new way for me. For each rhyme, the very next page is an illustration of what was said. dePaola created animated images of Mary and the lamb. I would read this book to younger children, and then have a sing along of the rhyme. This would be a great book for story time as well. ( )

Mary had a Little Lamb is an old story that to this day I still love. When searching for books to read, I came across it. This story is so wonderfully written and also greatly illustrated. Tomie dePaola did a wonderful job with the illustrations. Reading this book to my niece, I didn’t realize that I was singing the song for it too! I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others! There was many rhymes in this story which made it all the more entertaining. For example, “Mary had a little lamb its fleece was white as snow; and everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.” This goes on throughout the entire book. Also there was use of a metaphor when the author was comparing the little lambs fleece to being “as white as snow”. This is also considered a simile when it says “as snow.” I think the theme of the story is to teach others to be good to even animals. Since Mary was good to the lamb, he was also good to her. ( )

Traditional tale accompanied by pretty paintings. Brief biography of Hale. Endnote includes brief information on the controversy regarding authorship of this tale; references. ( )

This book had the poem in it with lots of pictures, but it also explained that the lamb loved mary so because she was gentle and kind to him. All children need to understand how important it is to be good to animals. ( )

Title: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Author: Sarah Joseph Hale
Publisher/Date: G.P. Putman’s Sons; 2004
ISBN: 0-399-24221-x
Summery: “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” is about a girl, named Mary, who had a lamb that followed her everywhere. One day, the lamb followed Mary to school and the children found it to be funny. The teacher made to lamb go outside where is waited patiently.
Personal Response: This rhythm is a personal favorite. It is a fun and catchy rhythm. I will definitely have this book in my classroom.
Extensions:
1) The students could make a lamb out of cotton balls, Popsicle sticks, and wiggly eyes.
2) The teacher can teach this rhythm as a song. ( )