Old Mikamba Had a Farm - by Rachel Isadora (Hardcover)

About the Book

The inhabitants of Old Makimba's farm in Africa, including a baboon, an elephant, and a lion, are described, verse by verse. Includes facts about African animals.

Book Synopsis

This fabulous version of the classic nursery song "Old MacDonald" introduces children to a menagerie of African animals and their sounds. It is beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Rachel Isadora, with her signature collage-style artwork.

Old Mikamba had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. And on this farm he had . . . a giraffe, a baboon, and an elephant! Meet Old Mikamba, who watches over a wide variety of animals on his game farm in the plains of Africa. Children will discover a whole new set of fun animal sounds as they are invited to sing along and roar with the lions, bellow with the rhino, whinny with the zebras, honk with the wildebeests, and more!

A wonderful introduction to African wildlife that is great fun to read aloud, this truly irresistible rendition of a beloved song includes a list of animal fun facts and gives children a huge variety of animal sounds to imitate as they pore over the detailed animals, landscapes and patterns in the stunning illustrations.

Review Quotes

"Provides a variety of fun sounds to re-create with a partner. The 'trill-trill' of the dassie and the 'bleat-bleat' of the giraffe are sure to delight. Isadora's stunning collage brings the colors and textures of the African plain to life. . . . The animals are parent/child pairs and this augments the shared feel of the song. Concluding pages provide background on the featured species, including habitat, communication systems, and endangered status. Lovely to look at as well as pure joy to read aloud, this title will demand an encore again and again." -- School Library Journal

"A familiar text is adapted to use in an unfamiliar environment with happy results. . . . The combination of the known and the unknown, the amusing noises that each animal makes, and the exuberant collages incorporating woven fabrics, newsprint, and other materials all make for a winning strategy. . . . Young children will want to visit this farm and 'grunt-grunt' with the hippos and 'chirp-chirp' with the ostriches." -- Kirkus Reviews

"While the animal sounds are fun and lend themselves perfectly to a storytime rendition, the artwork is a particular treat. Collages that give a distinct sense of place, set against plentiful white space that allows the animals to pop. . . . An extensive concluding note provides interesting facts about all of the animals included, as well as a mention of the role game farms and parks play in protecting Africa's endangered species." -- Booklist

"Old Mikamba may have a farm, but it's a game farm on the African plains, and the animals on his farm are a far cry from the typical cow/pig/chicken that hang out with Old MacDonald. Here, baboons, zebras, and elephants share space with rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs. . . . A whole new lot of animal sounds. . . . Intriguingly composed figures." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Rachel Isadora puts a new spin on the tale of Old MacDonald's Farm. . . . Readers will discover the animals and sounds of Africa. . . . Creatively designed." -- Library Media Connection

About the Author

Rachel Isadora received a Caldecott Honor for Ben's Trumpet. She is the author of Bea at Ballet, Peekaboo Bedtime, Say Hello! and the Lili at Ballet series, and has written and illustrated several classic stories and songs set in Africa. She lives in New York City.