The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, Eileen Spinelli, Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

‘A clever reworking of a classic story. The little old lady’s fearless attitude and her clever solution as to what to do with the lively shoes, pants, shirt and pumpkin head that are chasing her will enchant young audiences. With brilliantly colored, detailed folk art illustrations. A great purchase.’ —SLJ.

Children's Choices for 1987 (IRA/CBC)
Notable 1986 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Children's Books of 1986 (Library of Congress)
1988 Keystone to Reading Book Award (Pennsylvania Reading Association)

Publishers Weekly

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. (3-7)

Children's Literature

A delightful story of a brave little woman who, during a walk through the woods, finally starts to notice the shoes clomping behind her, the pants swishing, and others sounds. Her pace quickens until she makes a dash for her safe, snug little home. There is more to the story, and it has a happy not very scary ending, just right for the little ones. Book (1988) and audiotape for listening or reading along.

School Library Journal

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.

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