"A splendiferous Halloween story." —The Horn Book
"A great purchase for Halloween or any time of year." —School Library Journal (starred review)
Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.
And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains, this is a fun and timeless Halloween story.
September 12, 1988
In this just-spooky-enough tale, an old lady puts to good use some animated objects that are trying to frighten her. Ages 3-7.
April 1, 2012
PreS-Gr 2-Linda D. William's tale (HarperCollins, 1986) of an old lady who is chased by shoes, pants, a shirt, gloves, and a hat while walking in the woods one autumn evening receives a wonderful animated treatment here. She tells these objects that she isn't afraid and they should go away. Finally, a spooky pumpkin head sends the little old lady running for home. When the clothes knock on the door, she bravely suggests that they scare the crows in her garden instead. Megan Lloyd's brilliantly-colored illustrations in a folk art-style are animated, adding another dimension to this fun story. Lively narration and wonderful sound effects enhance the telling. In an interview, Williams explains the story behind the book and encourages students to become writers. A great story for Halloween or any time of year.-"Jenny Ventling, Dayton Metro Library, OH"
Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 1, 1986
There is enough action and recurring CLOMP CLOMPs, WIGGLE WIGGLEs and SHAKE SHAKEs in Williams's first story to hold any young reader's attention. A brave old woman begins a walk in the forest where she meets two big shoes. Further down the path, a pair of pants, a shirt, two gloves, a hat and a pumpkin head come into sight, each trying to frighten her. When she's back inside her cottage, a KNOCK KNOCK challenges her to open her door. Again, the shoes, pants, shirt, gloves, hat and pumpkin head try to scare her, but find it impossibly discouraging. These assorted items have a callingto frighten someone or somethingand thanks to the "little old lady'' they become the nastiest scare-crow ever. The fearless woman's brave showing, and her determination not to be afraid, should strike a note of familiarity with children. Lloyd's dark forest settings, wriggling clothing and homey interiors are a perfect complement to the text.
January 1, 1987
PreS-Gr 2 -A delightful picture book, perfect for both independent reading pleasure and for telling aloud. The Little Old Lady. . . is a clever reworking of the classic story of a ghostly body that appears bit by bit (see "What's the Matter" in Maria Leach's Whistle in the Graveyard Viking, 1974 ). The humor of the little old lady's fearless attitude and her clever solution as to what to do with the lively shoes, pants, shirt, pumpkin head, etc., that are chasing her, will enchant young audiences. The catchy refrain never falters, and the rhythmic repeated sounds made by each of the woman's pursuers are sure to appeal to children. Lloyd's brilliantly-colored, detailed folk art-style illustrations are a perfect complement to the text. A great purchase for Halloween or any time of the year, and a must for both school and public libraries. Alice Cronin, Belleville Public Library, N.J.