There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea

Book Review:

There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea, written by Jennifer Ward, is a clever Southwest version of the traditional story-song, "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly."

In this variant, a hungry coyote goes searching the desert for something to eat: "There was a coyote who swallowed a flea, plucked from his knee, that tickly flea. Yippee-O-Ki-Yee!" He goes on to swallow a lizard, snake, bird, chile, cactus, and other unlikely tidbits.

This story is told with rhythm, rhyme and repetition, which make it ideal for lessons in sequencing and recalling details because students become familiar with the fun patterns. Additionally, the setting of the Southwest desert lends itself to geography lessons and is an opportunity to explore regional cuisine, or discuss nutrition and good food choices.

The colorful cartoon illustrations by Steve Gray endear the reader to the comical coyote and also to his dinner. Gray's pictures give an accurate impression of the Southwest desert landscape.

Published in 2007, this book has been nominated as both a 2009 Grand Canyon Reader Award in Arizona and a 2009 Mockingbird Award in Texas. Teachers can access a discussion guide, and teaching curriculum for this charming book on the author's Web site at www.jenniferwardbooks.com.

About the Book | Book Review | Children's Voices | About the Reviewer