Welcome to KIWIreviews - product reviews
•  click here to return to the homepage  •
Welcome visitor.Join us or log in

Product reviews on kiwireviews.nz : Saturday 30th March 2024 - 00:51:39

QuickSearch for:    What is QuickSearch?
QuickJump to:    What is QuickJump?
logon name: p/w:  

I want to:

You Are Here...

Home > Categories > Books > Kids - General > Old McDonald's Farm review

« The Wheels on the Bus reviewThe Wheels on the BusThe Horrifying Truth reviewThe Horrifying Truth »

Score: 9.5/10  [5 reviews]
5 out of 5
ProdID: 3619 - Old McDonald's Farm
Author: Donovan Bixley

Old McDonald's Farm
Price:
$25
Available:
Your local book store

Old McDonald's Farm product reviews

Old Macdonald had a farm - e-i-e-i-o ..." Everyone knows the song. But now the farm and animals are in New Zealand and old Macdonald has a Swanndri and gumboots. Donovan Bixley's illustrations depict the beautiful New Zealand landscape - with farm animals! But what are those crazy animals up to?



Tags:
book   donovan bixley   farm   old mcdonald   animals   nzmade
Other listings you may be interested in:
Mathematical CuriositiesMathematical Curiosities
Rating: 9.8
All Tomorrow's PartiesAll Tomorrow's Parties
Rating: 8.8
Time to Smell the Roses - A New Life in OphirTime to Smell the Roses - A New Life in Ophir
Rating: 10.0
Galactic Pot-HealerGalactic Pot-Healer
Rating: 8.3
The Silly Goat GruffThe Silly Goat Gruff
Rating: 9.1
Farrah's Kitchen - Creative Ideas with WrapsFarrah's Kitchen - Creative Ideas with Wraps
Rating: 9.6
Openly StraightOpenly Straight
Rating: 10.0
Star of Deltora #1: Shadows of the MasterStar of Deltora #1: Shadows of the Master
Rating: 9.4
How To Hide A Lion At SchoolHow To Hide A Lion At School
Rating: 9.5
Diabetic's JourneyDiabetic's Journey
Rating: 8.8
A Maori Phrase A DayA Maori Phrase A Day
Rating: 9.3
The Paris Of The EastThe Paris Of The EastBig Little Blue 2: Rockybottoms!Big Little Blue 2: Rockybottoms!
Rating: 10.0

Product reviews...

Everyone is welcome to post a review. You will need to Join up or log in to post yours.

Click here to read the profile of k_waterbaby

Review by: k_waterbaby (Kylie)
Dated: 15th of November, 2016

Link to this review Report this review

 

This Review: 8.5/10
Price:
Score 8 out of 10
Value for Money:
Score 8 out of 10
ReReadability:
Score 9 out of 10
Personal Choice:
Score 9 out of 10

This was a beautiful gift given to our son for his 1st birthday by his amazing Porse educator., I guess its one of those "special and thoughtful gifts" that you hope will get passed on, as its so much more than just "Old MacDonalds Farm".

We love that this is a real "Kiwi" take on one of the real classics that we have all grown up with, and is definitely a go to at bed time in our house. It evokes so many amazing scenes as we sit on the bed reading this with our 3.5 year old - he loves to call out the noises in his loudest possible voice, I'm sure scaring our own animals into hiding. And has also been known to jump off his bed to mimic their actions on his bedroom floor.

Add to this the absolutely gorgeous illustrations that just ties in so nicely with the story and again the twist on each of the animals has always meant a chuckle or funny moment from our son. He is particularly fond of the cow I think because its his favorite "noise to make", but we always laugh at the black cat who reminds us so much of our own cat Diesil who recently passed away - it has kept his memory alive for us which has been a really lovely and unexpected bonus.

This is one of those books that have bought us so many memories already, and I know will continue to do so for many more bedtimes to come.

Click here to read the profile of kymmage

Review by: kymmage (Kym)
Dated: 10th of May, 2014

Link to this review Report this review

 

This Review: 10/10
Price:
Score 10 out of 10
Value for Money:
Score 10 out of 10
ReReadability:
Score 10 out of 10
Personal Choice:
Score 10 out of 10

My daughter recently got this book, Old MacDonald's Farm, for her birthday in board book form. I was thrilled as I love Donovan Bixley's artwork. I was keen as to get my hands on the book and have a good look. However, my daughter had different ideas. She hogged it for about half an hour, pouring through the pages and ohhhing and ahhing. Whenever I came over to see or asked to look, she made a big show of not letting me anywhere near it.

Finally when she was finished p[ointing out all the animals, or finding all the noses on the pigs she decided I could read it. So she let me read the first page once, twice, three times. She thought it was hilarious, shutting the book on me and asking me "again". Lucky for her I am patient. Eventually we read the book. The words are nice and traditional and easy to sing or talk your way through.

What makes the book is Bixley's drawings. The animals are great and full of character. We had a laugh at all the antics. My favourite was probably the pigs and their spa treatment, but the little black sheep's haircuts were great and the dog baking was cool too. There is a nod to Country Calendar and to a few other kiwi icons as well.

There is also an eye spy game throughout looking for a magpie. That was fun and also a bit hard in places. Good to allow the book to be re-readable for years to come! The board book is a good size and really sturdy. I'm not sure on the price because it was a gift, but I would absolutely buy this as a gift for another child. It has been a huge hit with my daughter.

Click here to read the profile of shellcruise

Review by: shellcruise (Shelley)
Dated: 17th of October, 2013

Link to this review Report this review

 

This Review: 9.5/10
Price:
Score 9 out of 10
Value for Money:
Score 9 out of 10
ReReadability:
Score 10 out of 10
Personal Choice:
Score 10 out of 10

I am sure everyone knows the Old MacDonald story - but what is great about this book is its completely "Kiwiana".

The graphics in this book are absolutely fantastic! There are only four animals in the book a Cat, Dog, Sheep and Cow and each page you need to locate the Magpie. Also in the front of the book it tells you other items that you can find (unfortunately it does not tell you what page to find them on which can be frustrating for the younger kids.)

I have lost count of the number of times I have read this book to my two children they love it. My eldest daughter now reads/sings it to her baby sister and she spends ages just looking at the pictures and pointing things out which I think is fantastic. I especially love the picture of the kitchen with the fridge which has Pavlova, L & P, Tomato Sauce, Just Juice - great for playing eye spy with - even has the iconic Bumblebee.

I would have liked it to be longer but with all the activities you can play with this book it makes up for it. If you play an instrument there is the sheet music for you as well. A must for every household.

Click here to read the profile of flabbergastered

Review by: flabbergastered (Karyn)
Dated: 19th of December, 2012

Link to this review Report this review

 

This Review: 10/10
Price:
Score 10 out of 10
Value for Money:
Score 10 out of 10
ReReadability:
Score 10 out of 10
Personal Choice:
Score 10 out of 10

This book couldn't get more kiwi if it tried. It's a classic story/song that will live on forever and keep entertaining many more generations of kiwi's to come. I love all the illustrations!! I love the kiwi icons on every page.....black stubby shorts paired with the black singlet...typical kiwi farmer attire. Pavlova!! L&P!! Swanndri, the old rusty cars and tractor left to rust in a paddock.

Songs and stories that we all grow up with that our mums and dads read to us that we are now reading to the next generation, that they will read to their children and grandchildren. A catchy sing along song that encourages the children's imaginations, and emerging verbal communication skills as they sing along or call out the different farm animals on Old Macdonalds farm. A book that encourages interactions and participation as everyone joins in to sing the song.

The chunky hard cover pages makes this book ideal for babies through to young children or even adults...a book that will survive being read over and over and over. Totally recommend to everyone that lives in New Zealand that wants to own a slice of real kiwiana...also ideal as presents for children or even adults that live overseas as a parting gift so they can read through the book and remember the good times of growing up in New Zealand.

Click here to read the profile of cherrycola27

Review by: cherrycola27 (Cheri)
Dated: 19th of October, 2012

Link to this review Report this review

 

This Review: 9.3/10
Price:
Score 8 out of 10
Value for Money:
Score 10 out of 10
ReReadability:
Score 9 out of 10
Personal Choice:
Score 10 out of 10

This is another fantastic book by Donovan Bixley... I have owned the Wheels on the Bus version for a good year or so now when i discovered this on the shelf i didn't even open it to look at it, just went ahead and brought it. Again, its a song most children grow up knowing but this book version is totally New Zealand focused and soo awesome! The illustrations are simply gorgeous and has children noticing all sorts of details they wouldn't normally.

Its not just the animals that are (obviously) New Zealand but the entire picture on each and every page really shows what it is to live in New Zealand... there's pavlova and L&P in the fridge and Old McDonald looks like a real farmer should! I would definitely recommend this book to others, children will love this New Zealand version. I have considered sending it as a present to nieces in Australia too.. but i am still deciding on that one :)

Random listing from 'Books'...

Score: 10.0
Product reviews for listing 4827: Written in Red
Written by Anne Bishop

Product image for Written in RedMeg Corbyn is on the run. Alone and desperate, and ill-equipped to deal with the real world after a lifetime of imprisonment, Meg stumbles into Lakeside Courtyard, where the Others reside. Meg knows entering a courtyard is a dangerous risk - most people who tangle with the Others end up dead - but it's the only place she'll be safe from the people chasing her. For Simon Wolfgard, leader of the Others residing in Lakeside, Meg is a ... more...

Go to the listing

General Disclaimer...

Protected by Copyscape Plagiarism Checker - Do not copy content from this page. Creative Commons Licence All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.

"Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?"
unattributed