Mary Had a Little Lamb (Iza Trapani's Extended Nursery Rhymes) Paperback – Picture Book, February 1, 2003

I discovered this book when one of my piano students brought it in to her lesson. She was so enthusiastic about playing along with the storybook that I ordered several copies to share with my other students. Sheet music in the key of F Major is included at the front of the book. However, it is a simple 3-note melody that can be transposed to any key. Students can play the song in whatever key they learned it (e.g. 3 black keys on piano, or key of G on recorder). They are not reading the music anyway--just looking at the words and pictures. It is a delightful book, and I highly recommend it!

One of our favorite series of books. I love the way this book takes the simple song and expands it to a story. Perfect for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who like to "read" to themselves. I purchase this book over and over for baby showers and welcome gifts. I wish more of Iza Trapani's were available in board book fashion.

My little kiddos loved this book! Fridays after PE they would come in exhausted and I would turn down the light and sing this with them. They loved pointing out the silly animals and signing

My daughter absolutely loves this book! Iza Trapani’s books are so nicely illustrated and fun to explore. We got this book after we fell in love with her version of the Itsy Bitsy Spider (also a great investment)… This book is our morning snuggle book, my 18 month old enjoys pointing all the animals out and saying “oh-oh” as the mischievous lamb goes around the farm causing a mess!

I love Iza Trapani. Her rhymes are easy, no need to twist your tongue around awkward beats. Her expanded stories are delightful and the illustrations are works of art.

Don't let the title of this book steer you away from buying it. This is not the sad little poem we remember from our childhood about the lamb following Mary and getting her into trouble.In this version, Mary's little lamb decides to be independent and wander around the farm by himself. He does get into a bit of trouble, but at the end of the day, Mary is there to clean him up and tuck him into bed.The poem is funny, cute, and catchy enough to get your toddler's attention, but the real reason to buy this book is the artwork. Every animal has a wonderful, comical expression on his or her face and there are lots of little details to notice. For instance, there are kitty cats in the background of most of the illustrations that my toddler likes to pick out.The only thing I don't like about this book is that most of the animals - including the lamb - are referred to as "it" rather than "he" or "she." I don't think it's a good idea to refer to living things as "its" to a small child, so when I read this book I insert "he" and "she" where appropriate.

This book is by Iza Trapani. Not much more need be said. Her books are wonderful and my granddaughters like them all! Teaching them the old children's song classics is fun and they ask to have them read over and over. I wonder if they realize the lessons they learn, animals introduced, kindnesses shown and the outstanding art in the pictures. Highly recommend for ages 2 to 6...My older granddaughter who is almost 9 still sneaks up to hear as well.

I had made a felt and fabric lamb doll for our 2 year old great niece for Easter and sent this book and another to her with the doll. The book is cute and she sits through some of the story but is much too busy most days. It will be there for her when she is a little older though.