During a visit to Riverhills School in Tampa, Florida, Jim Aylesworth shows off his "Shoo Fly 'Shoe'."
Old Black Fly
by Jim Aylesworth
Illustrated by Stephen Gammell
(Holt, 1992)
Aylesworth's rhymes and rhythmic verses has old
black fly buzzin' around and through an alphabetical list of groceries
on a very/busy bad day. "He frolicked on the Eggs/for the birthday
cake./He licked up the Frosting,/ for goodness sake./Shoo fly!/Shoo
fly!/Shooo." In the end the Old Black Fly meets his fate -- when the
baby drops the cake.
Acclaim for Old Black Fly
Nominated for the 1995-96 Florida Reading Association (FRA) Children's Book Award
Nominated for the 1995 Golden Sower Award (Nebraska)
Included on the New York Public Library's List of 100 Great Picture Books
Notable Book for Children Award, from the American Library Association
This book is currently available as a paperback and as a board book (see information, below).
"Aylesworth's funny, rhythmic chant is strong enough to
stand alone. Add Gammell's spattery, jumpy illustrations, splashed with
color, alive with movement, line, and humor, and what emerges is a book
that's sure to become a classic. To be enjoyed at home as a lapbook, to
be read aloud with relish at story times, to be chanted again and again
and again!" -- School Library Journal
"Aylesworth and Gammell create a gleeful, messy mix of
all the fly's bad doings. The short couplets of text follow in an
alphabetical scheme....the enthusiastic celebration of a universal
annoyance will tickle many funny bones." -- Horn Book,
"Aylesworth's buoyant, rhythmic verse provides inspiration for a
wondrous evolution of Gammell's style. ... trademark rainbow colors,
laying them on a white ground in vibrant clouds. [A] sheer delight for
eyes, ears, and funny-bones." Kirkus Reviews
"[An] ebullient picture-book romp....Ayleworth's snappy couplets constitute a waggish presentation of a basic concept.'' -- Publishers Weekly
"Rollicking fun for everyone." -- Marilyn Courtot; "A sure-fire hit." -- Jan Lieberman; "Jim Aylesworth's Old Black Fly is a jolly experience-even when insects aren't on the agenda!" -- Beverly Kobrin -- Children's Literature
Aylesworth, Jim. Old Black Fly.
Illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Holt, 1992. 32 pages. ISBN: 00805014012
(o.p.); ISBN: 0805039244 (paperback, 1995); ISBN: 0805058400 (Board
Book, 1998).
Acclaim for Old Black Fly
