There Was a Man and He Was Mad (First Steps in Music series)

A classic folksong is brought vividly to life in this enchanting children’s picture book, accompanied by beautiful paintings that capture the essence and wonder of this story and pull the reader in to a fantastic world of music and wonder. “There was a Man and He Was Mad” exists in many variations, and was popular as early as 1886, when James Orchard Halliwell published it in his “The Nursery Rhymes of England.” The melody is very simple and therefore easy to learn, and is reminiscent of the favorite children’s folk song, “Old McDonald.” Throughout its aural life, “There Was a Man and He Was Mad” has been continually reinvented for no other reason than the pleasure of placing this man in more and more ridiculous situations. This book captures one of the many wonderful versions of the song—with an added twist! Read more