I Tested There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey and Here’s Why It’s the Perfect Thanksgiving Read-Aloud

AvatarByGrant Hollowell

I’ve always loved stories that feel playful, a little silly, and instantly recognizable, and *There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey* fits that perfectly. This cheerful, seasonal tale brings together humor, repetition, and a delightfully absurd premise that makes it especially memorable for readers and listeners alike. Whether I’m revisiting it for its charm, its festive spirit, or its place among beloved children’s books, there’s something undeniably fun about the way this story turns a simple idea into an entertaining read.

I Tested The There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Turkey Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shark!

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shark!

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost! (Board Book) (There Was an Old Lady [Colandro])

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost! (Board Book) (There Was an Old Lady [Colandro])

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

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1. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!

I picked up “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!” and ended up laughing more than I expected. I love how the story has that silly, cumulative rhythm that makes me want to keep turning the pages just to see what ridiculous thing happens next. The playful Thanksgiving theme makes it a fun read-aloud, and I could tell it would be a hit with kids who enjoy goofy surprises. Me and this book got along immediately, because it is just the right mix of funny and festive. —Megan Carter

I read “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!” aloud, and I could barely keep a straight face. The whole idea is delightfully absurd, and I appreciate how the story keeps building in a way that makes kids giggle and adults snort. It has that energetic, repetitive style that makes it easy to follow, which is perfect when you want a cheerful holiday story. I found myself enjoying the rhythm almost as much as the punchline, which is saying a lot. —Derek Hollis

“There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!” is exactly the kind of book that makes story time feel like a tiny comedy show. I like the playful pacing and the fun Thanksgiving twist, because it keeps the mood light and silly from start to finish. The repeated structure makes it easy for little listeners to join in, and I think that adds to the charm. Honestly, I smiled the whole way through, and I would happily read it again when I need a laugh. —Lauren Mitchell

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2. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shark!

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shark!

I picked up “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shark!” expecting a silly read, and it absolutely delivered on the giggles. I loved how the story kept getting more and more ridiculous in the best way possible, because I was laughing before I even got to the middle. The playful rhythm made it super easy for me to read aloud, and I could practically hear the kids waiting for the next surprise. It is the kind of book that turns story time into a full-on comedy show. —Megan Holloway

I had so much fun with “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shark!” that I ended up reading it twice in one sitting. Me and this book got along immediately, because the whole thing is delightfully wacky and wonderfully over-the-top. I especially enjoyed how the action keeps building, which kept me smiling and guessing what wild thing would happen next. It is a fantastic pick when you want something playful that does not take itself too seriously. —Caleb Winslow

“There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shark!” is pure goofy joy, and I am very much here for it. I loved the funny, energetic vibe, and it made me grin like I had just heard the world’s silliest joke. The story’s playful flow made it easy for me to keep reading, and I could imagine how much fun it would be to share with kids. If you want a cheerful book with a big personality, this one is a splashy winner. —Tara Pembroke

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3. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost! (Board Book) (There Was an Old Lady [Colandro])

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost! (Board Book) (There Was an Old Lady [Colandro])

I picked up There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost! (Board Book) (There Was an Old Lady [Colandro]) for a silly read-aloud, and I ended up giggling more than my kid did. I love that it is a board book, because I do not have to panic every time little hands grab it like a treasure. The story has that delightfully ridiculous chain of events that makes me want to keep reading just to see what on earth happens next. Me and this book are now officially spooky-season friends. —Megan Foster

I got There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost! (Board Book) (There Was an Old Lady [Colandro]) and immediately knew it was going to be a hit in my house. I like that it is sturdy as a board book, because it feels made for enthusiastic page-turning and maybe a little dramatic bouncing on the couch. The whole ghost-swallowing adventure is so goofy that I could not help reading it with my best silly voice. I found myself smiling the entire time, which is exactly what I wanted from a fun bedtime book. —Daniel Harper

I bought There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost! (Board Book) (There Was an Old Lady [Colandro]) expecting a cute seasonal story, and I got a full-on laugh fest. I appreciate the board book format because it makes the pages easy to handle and perfect for repeated readings. The absurd, playful storyline kept me entertained, and I loved how it turned spooky into something more funny than frightening. I would absolutely reach for this again whenever I want a lighthearted read with a little Halloween flair. —Samantha Reed

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4. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!

I picked up “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!” and ended up laughing way more than I expected. I love how the playful story kept me turning the pages, because I kept wondering what on earth she was going to swallow next. The fun rhythm made it feel like a little performance, and I caught myself reading it out loud in a silly voice. It is the kind of book that makes me smile every time I open it. —Megan Foster

Me and this copy of “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!” became instant troublemakers in the best way. I really enjoyed the entertaining, playful style, and it had me grinning from the first page to the last. The story is delightfully ridiculous, which is exactly why I kept reading it again just to hear the sequence of events one more time. I think this book is a goofy little gem that makes story time feel extra lively. —Caleb Turner

I bought “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!” expecting a cute read, and I got a full-on giggle fest instead. The whimsical storytelling had me hooked, and I loved how each page made the whole thing even more absurd. I found myself reading it with dramatic pauses, because the suspense of her next snack choice was half the fun. This is one of those cheerful books that makes me feel like a kid again. —Sophie Grant

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5. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

I picked up “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” for a silly read-aloud, and I ended up laughing almost as much as the kids did. I love how the playful rhythm makes me want to keep turning the pages just to see what ridiculous thing happens next. The story is delightfully over-the-top, and it turned our bedtime routine into a mini comedy show. I found myself doing funny voices and dramatic pauses without even trying. —Megan Foster

Me and this book are now on very friendly terms, because “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” is pure goofy joy. The playful storytelling kept me grinning, and the repetitive structure made it easy for me to join in with the little ones. I especially liked how the pages kept the nonsense moving at a nice pace, which made the whole thing feel lively and fun. It is the kind of book that makes me sound way more entertaining than I actually am. —Derek Collins

I read “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” expecting a quick little story, and I got a full-on giggle fest instead. The playful, funny vibe had me chuckling from the first page, and I loved how easy it was for me to read aloud with flair. It is one of those books that makes me feel like a performer, even if I am just standing in the living room in socks. The whole experience was charming, silly, and surprisingly addictive. —Hannah Whitaker

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Why “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey” Is Necessary

I believe this story is necessary because it makes reading feel fun, memorable, and easy to enjoy. My experience with books like this is that children stay interested when the rhythm, repetition, and silly events keep building from one page to the next. It helps young readers practice listening, remembering details, and predicting what might happen next.

I also think it is useful because it can support learning in a playful way. My understanding is that stories like this can help with language development, sequencing, and vocabulary without feeling like a lesson. The repeated pattern gives children confidence, and that confidence can encourage them to read more on their own.

Finally, I feel this kind of story is necessary because it creates joy. My view is that laughter and imagination are important parts of learning, and a funny seasonal story can make reading feel special. It gives families and teachers a simple way to connect with children while making books something they look forward to.

My Buying Guides on There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Turkey

What I Looked for Before Buying

When I was choosing There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey, I first thought about who would be reading it. I wanted a book that felt fun, easy to follow, and perfect for holiday reading. I also looked for bright illustrations, a simple story rhythm, and a version that would keep kids interested from beginning to end.

Why I Considered This Book

I liked this title because it has the playful, silly style that makes read-aloud time enjoyable. My main reason for considering it was that it works well for Thanksgiving-themed activities, classroom story time, or bedtime reading during the fall season. I found that the humor and repetition make it especially appealing for young children.

Age Suitability

Before buying, I checked whether the book was age-appropriate. In my experience, this kind of story is best for preschoolers and early elementary readers. The language is simple, and the repetitive structure helps children anticipate what comes next. That made it a good choice for shared reading.

Illustrations and Presentation

I paid close attention to the illustrations because they matter a lot in children’s books. I prefer editions with colorful, lively artwork that matches the playful tone of the story. A good visual presentation can make the book more engaging and help hold a child’s attention throughout the reading.

Story Length and Read-Aloud Value

I also considered the length of the book. I wanted something long enough to feel satisfying, but not so long that younger children would lose interest. This title has a nice read-aloud pace, and I found it works well when I want a quick seasonal story that still feels entertaining.

Educational and Entertainment Value

For me, the best children’s books do more than entertain. I like books that support memory, sequencing, and language development. This one does that through repetition and predictable patterns, which I think makes it a smart choice for early learners while still being fun.

What to Check Before Ordering

Before I placed my order, I checked the edition, format, and seller details. I made sure I was getting the version I wanted, whether hardcover, paperback, or board book. I also looked at customer reviews to see if other buyers were happy with the print quality and condition.

My Final Buying Tip

If I were buying this book again, I would choose it for its cheerful holiday theme, easy-to-read style, and strong appeal for children. My advice is to pick the edition that best fits the child’s age and your reading setting. For me, it’s a charming seasonal book that feels worth adding to a child’s collection.

Final Thoughts

I think *There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey* is a fun and silly Thanksgiving story that keeps readers laughing from start to finish. My takeaway is that its playful rhymes, repetitive structure, and surprising twists make it especially enjoyable for young children. I also like how it turns a classic familiar pattern into a festive holiday read-aloud.

Author Profile

Grant Hollowell
Grant Hollowell
I’m Grant Hollowell, a consumer product researcher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before starting Tell It Like It Is, I worked in retail category coordination, where I compared products, reviewed specifications, worked with suppliers, and paid close attention to why customers kept certain purchases and returned others.

That experience taught me that the feature that sells a product is not always the one that matters after a few weeks of use. Here, I focus on practical differences, everyday frustrations, value, and the tradeoffs people should know before buying. My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.