Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s short and memorable. Many families soften the old-fashioned harsh line and focus on the cozy ‘everyone settles into bed’ feeling.

Story Synopsis

“There was an old woman who lived in a shoe” begins with one unforgettable picture: a shoe so big it’s a home. The rhyme says she has many children and doesn’t know what to do. It mentions a sparse supper and an old-fashioned punishment line that many parents choose to adapt. Read today, it’s often treated as exaggerated nonsense—like a cartoon snapshot of chaos—followed by the part that matters most for bedtime: everyone ends up in bed. A gentle modern way to share it is to keep the playful shoe-house image and then rephrase the ending into a calm routine: warm broth, a tidy-up, hugs, and lights out.

Story Excerpt

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do; She gave them some broth without any bread, Then whipped them all round, and sent them to bed.

In One Glance