Mrs. O'Leary's Cow

Mary Ann Hoberman adapts the famous song about the Great Chicago Fire into a lighthearted, rhyming story. When Mrs. O'Leary's cow accidentally kicks over a lantern, a fire starts, leading to a bustling community response. The book, with Jenny Mattheson's luminous illustrations, focuses on the humorous and heroic aspects of the event, ensuring it remains non-threatening for young readers. It is a great way to introduce a historical event with a gentle, reassuring tone, highlighting themes of community and problem-solving.

Mary Ann Hoberman has adapted the well-known song based on the true story of the Great Chicago Fire, "There'll be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight," into a funny and memorable story. When Mrs. O'Leary leaves her lantern in the barn, the cow kicks it over and starts a fire. Hoberman's humorous text and Jenny Mattheson's luminous illustrations keep this picture book comic and non-threatening, and, of course, the fire is put out in the end by 10 heroic firefighters.