Fun and Learning with Lucille Colandro Stories

 

Are you looking for silly, engaging stories that get children laughing while learning? Books by Lucille Colandro are a fantastic choice for young learners.

From There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly to seasonal favorites like There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat!, her stories are full of humor, repetition, and surprising twists that keep children entertained from beginning to end.

Whether you’re teaching in an ESL classroom, homeschooling, or working in a primary school, these stories are interactive, memorable, and easy to bring to life.

About the Author

Lucille Colandro is best known for her playful retellings of the classic cumulative tale There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Her books build on this familiar structure, adding seasonal themes, humorous elements, and repetitive patterns that children love.

Her stories are ideal for encouraging participation, laughter, and language development.

Why Use Lucille Colandro Stories?

Perfect for Repetition and Memory
The cumulative structure helps children remember and retell the sequence easily.

Great for ESL Learners
Repeated phrases and predictable patterns support comprehension and speaking confidence.

Highly Engaging and Funny
The silly concept keeps children motivated and eager to participate.

Builds Sequencing Skills
Each new element adds to the story, making it perfect for practicing order and recall.

Rich Thematic Vocabulary
Seasonal and thematic books introduce vocabulary in fun, meaningful contexts.

Fun Activities for Any Lucille Colandro Story

Sequencing Practice

After reading, ask students to:

• Order the items the old lady swallowed
• Draw or match each step
• Retell the story using simple sentences

This works well for both ESL learners and native speakers.

Act It Out

Turn the story into a fun role-play:

• Assign roles (old lady, objects, animals)
• Use simple props or picture cards
• Act out each part of the sequence

This builds confidence and comprehension.

Retell with Props

Use real or classroom objects:

• Place items in order as you retell the story
• Let students “feed” the old lady in sequence

This adds a hands-on and visual element to learning.

Draw and Tell

Ask students to:

• Draw their favorite part
• Create a new version of the story
• Illustrate a different item the old lady could swallow

Then have them explain their ideas.

Vocabulary Practice

Choose key words from the story:

• Match words to pictures
• Act them out
• Use them in simple sentences

You can group vocabulary by themes such as seasons, objects, or animals.

Create Your Own Version

Follow the pattern:

• “There was an old lady who swallowed a ___…”

Students can invent their own funny and creative versions of the story.
This is great for speaking and early writing.

Rhyming and Repetition

Focus on repeated phrases:

• Encourage students to join in
• Pause and let them complete sentences
• Practice rhythm and intonation

Hands-On Activities

If possible:

• Create a paper “old lady” craft with a pocket
• Use cut-outs to retell the story
• Do seasonal crafts connected to the book

These activities make learning interactive and memorable.

Create a Fun Storytime Environment

• Cushions, rugs, and a lively reading space
• Props or visuals to support the story
• Opportunities for movement and participation

These elements help keep energy high and students engaged.

Stories by Lucille Colandro are more than just funny—they are powerful tools for building language, memory, and sequencing skills. With their repetitive structure and playful themes, they encourage participation and make learning enjoyable.

Whether you focus on speaking, vocabulary, or storytelling, these books are a perfect addition to any classroom.

So pick your favorite version, gather your students, and get ready for a storytime full of laughter and learning.

Pin for later