Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?
The traditional ending implies that the old woman dies after swallowing a horse, without depicting grief or graphic death.
book
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Is There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.
Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Pam Adams. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Educational value.
Book 1 · Classic Books with HolesSource checked
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10-second decision
Is this likely to fit your family?
Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 1/5 · Frightening scenes 1/5 · Violence 1/5
Strongest positivesCreativity & curiosity 3/5 · Educational value 2/5
Series positionBook 1 · Classic Books with Holes
Recommendation2/5
Creativity & curiosity; strongest caution: death of a character.
This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.
Quick context
What parents should know
Creativity & curiosity; strongest caution: death of a character.
Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 1/5
Recommendation 2/5Show Wikipedia summary
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Quick view
At a glance
Recommended ageNot listed
Strongest cautions
- Death of a character1/5
- Frightening scenes1/5
- Violence1/5
Strongest positives
- Creativity & curiosity3/5
- Educational value2/5
- Positive messages2/5
Reading order
Series progression
All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.
- Starting point
- Gets gentler
- About the same
- About the same
- About the same
- About the same
What’s in it?
What’s good in it?
Family discussion
Talk about it
Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.
- What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
- How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
- Which choice in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly would you have made differently, and why?
- Who changed the most in There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, and what caused that change?
Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings
What families noticed
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