happy monkey day to you

We have another flurry of small people birthdays coming up and I can't seem to hand-make anything right now, it's just too crazy around here—but I love giving books. These are my 2 new (old) favorites to give. If I were smart I'd buy 3 copies of each, because it seems this one above is out of print (?) but that would involve too much planning ahead. They are I'll Be You and You Be Me and A Hole is to Dig, both by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Marice Sendak. It's hard to describe how magical and amazing these books are.

We first read them from the library last summer by accident. They ended up in my bag and I don't even know who found them and put the them in there. The drawings are diminutive and charming—in a detailed black and white, pen and ink style that I love. The text is written the way children really speak to each other—nonsensical yet sweetly formal, which is how my kids talk. They are just so heartwarming to read. Ruth Krauss has many more books too, but these are my favorite. I think she actually just quoted kids directly for the text in these books.

    
I could barely read these at first, I was too distracted by the drawings and all the small details. The illustrations are grouped in a very unique way, often with little hand drawn borders and lots of white space. The clothes the kids wear in these pages are classic—the books are from the 1950s and I love this style of dressing.

Here's some info about Ruth Krauss and her husband, Crockett Johnson (best name ever?) of Harold and the Purple Crayon fame. I am sure many of you already know about these books and love them as well, but just in case. . .they are golden. (Here's Powell's, too.)

Comments

[Annika]

The Carrot Seed is one of my very favorites. These two are going on the wish list right away!

[Emily]

Too too cute, in the greatest, simplest sort of way. I may have to buy these and tuck them away!

[Melinda]

GASP!(as she delurks at long last)...how eerie, Just last night, while trying to find inpsiration to write a little ditty on what inspires me (yeah, I'm an idiot,I know!)I stumbled across my "Harold" books, conveniently located next door to my Krauss/Sendak stash! They ARE golden...yet again, you prove what lovely taste you have!:)

[beetlegirl]

Oh, I love those books, especially I'll Be You and You Be Me. I keep meaning to buy myself a copy. I also think it would be a cute engagement gift. Another wonderful Maurice Sendak illustrated, and lesser known, book is Kenney's Window. It has all the charm of the books you mention here.

[jen j-m]

i absolutely adore everything ruth krauss has ever done. yay.

[Jennifer]

Thanks for the book recomendations. I have two birthday gifts to buy in the next week! I'll check them out!

[Fanny]

I LOVE A Hole is to Dig! I used to always read it at the library I worked at. Thanks for reminding me of it!

[Nevis]

Yes, indeed.

Crockett Johnson is the best name ever.

[Fanny]

I LOVE A Hole is to Dig! I used to always read it at the library I worked at. Thanks for reminding me of it!

[amy]

i love that first book!

[deborah]

Ruth Krauss is genius - - my mother-in-law has a lot of her books, and they are all delightful!

[Jill]

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,
Jill xo

[Brittany]

Those are such charming books! My kids love them. I'm glad to see they're getting love from other people, too.

[meg]

those are total faves of mine, too!

[Lil' d]

I love the old fashioned style books. We were given The Carrot Seed. I'll have to check these two out - thank you.

[heidiminsocal]

Try A Very Special House - it's a great one to read out loud. Fun and silly

[LIlia]

Thanks for posting about these. I love giving books too!

[Maggie]

A Hole is to Dig is one of my all time favourites -- never heard of the other one but I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Why are the best books always out of print?? Grr. Now if I could only invite your girls to my birthday party ;)
Thanks for sharing!

[kari]

Another goodie is Sendak illustrated "I Saw Esau", edited by Iona Opie (not a bad name either!)

[Christina]

My mom bought I'll Be You . . . for my daughter when she turned one (three years ago). She found it at a children's clothing store called Janie and Jack. Maybe they still carry it? My mom read it as a child (1940s). I love these books that stand the test of time.

[Annika]

Oh, I have to second the Kenny's Window recommendation! That is my very favorite children's book.

[stephanie]

a hole is to dig is one of my favorite books ever. it's kind of my philosophy on life, really. when i get overwhelmed, i just think, "dishes are to do...", you know? it's also the first book mia ever read aloud to us.

you'll like "open house for butterflies" too if you haven't seen it yet.

[Lauren]

Thanks for sharing these - must look for them! The Carrot Seed is also one of my all-time favorites. Also, I just found "My Apron" by Eric Carle at the library. A great book, a little different from his others (though they are great too, this one is just different)

[Josie]

We have, and love A Hole is to Dig but I never thought to look for other books by her. (?) Thanks for the tip about the other one, I can't wait to get it.

[readersguide]

A Hole is to Dig is my very favorite book ever. Deedle deedle dee.

[readersguide]

A Hole is to Dig is my very favorite book ever. Deedle deedle dee.

[Kara]

Hi Amy, we had both of these books at home growing up. I have always, always loved everything about them. My Mom was so thoughtful and shipped these books to me, so my 3 kids now get to enjoy them, tattered as they are. Simply the best. Oh, and I have to echo Stephanie's recommendation of "Open House for Butterflies", too; it's great.

[stephanie s]

'a hole is to dig' was, hands down, our favorite book as kids - still is. i have ownership of it now, but keep it in a drawer, in the back, should my sisters drop by and start rooting around... it would be a sad day if i had to part with that gem.

[t]

I love A Hole is to Dig! You should also look for What Can You Do With a Shoe, by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, illus by Sendak.

[t]

Just thought of another book you should look for, a newer one that's still in print, and oh, so funny. I think it will appeal to your sense of humor (I only "know" you through your blog, but I think I'm right aobut this...): I Ain't Gonna Paint No More, by Karen Beaumont.

[Dawn]

I thought to Dig A Hole was the best gift I received when my first daughter was born. I couldn't wait to read it to her.

[Toby]

I love, love, love those books. All my girls have had "little black shoes with little black bows." :)

[cathy]

The next time you go to the library, look up an article in the June 1994 issue of The Horn Book Magazine. Maurice Sendak writes about his relationship with Ruth Krauss in "Ruth Krauss and Me: A Very Special Partnership." I wish the article was online, but it's not. It's very, very inspiring.

[Wendi Gratz]

Oooh - I love everything by Maurice Sendak. One of my daughter's favorites was The Nutshell Library. Those books later became Really Rosie with songs by Carole King - fabulous! Another favorite author/artist is Leo Lionni. He's best known for Swimmy and Frederick but he's got tons of other books that are slowly being brought back into print. Beautiful art and stories with lovely messages - but never heavy-handed or preachy.

[Wendi Gratz]

Oooh - I love everything by Maurice Sendak. One of my daughter's favorites was The Nutshell Library. Those books later became Really Rosie with songs by Carole King - fabulous! Another favorite author/artist is Leo Lionni. He's best known for Swimmy and Frederick but he's got tons of other books that are slowly being brought back into print. Beautiful art and stories with lovely messages - but never heavy-handed or preachy.

[lissilulu]

we love old books...expecially the graphics of the children dressed like you described.
i will be looking for these two to read to my two younger daughters (8&5).
thanks!
lori

[luckybeans]

We loved my father's copy of "A Hole is to Dig" as children, and now my own children have a beloved tattered copy. Ruth Krauss actually interviewed a kindergarten class in writing this book (she thanks them inside).

And we still yell "doodley doddley dooo!" when we come across a mud puddle.

If anyone is able to share a copy of The Horn article with those of us without library access, I would be very grateful.

[Sharon]

I had these books as a small child and learned to love them again when my kids were small as well. I have them saved in my "books for potential grandkids" collection, as well as another Sendak fave- the "Nutshell Library". My grandma was a children's librarian and so many of the books she gave me are absolute treasures. You brought back some good memories- thanks!

[mary]

I love when you share books with us. I can't wait to pay off my library fines so I can check them out.

[Carrie]

Thank you for posting about these books! I love Maurice Sendak (who doesn't!) and I have never seen these books!

[Carol]

I love these books too -- and you're right that they're transcriptions of kids' actual words, and the combination of words/text/design are pure genius.

Crockett Johnson was a nickname/pseudonym - his real name was David Johnson Leith - but it is a wonderful, memorable name and absolutely suits him.

And I wanted to let you know I gave you a You Make My Day Award. I always enjoy your blog - inspiring and interesting. Thanks! (You can read details on my blog.)

[Trudy]

I LOVE those books, too!! Having been a kindergarten teacher for a hundred years...I used them ALLL the time in the classroom!! They are MUSTS in every personal library, in my opinion!! Thanks for reminding me how wonderful they are!!! Sincerely, Trudy

[Gabreial/VintageIndie]

Just wanted you to know you've been given an "You make my day" award on Vintage Indie today!

[Lisa M]

awwh I love Harold and the purple Crayon!! Such great memories!
Have a wonderful weekend!
♥Lisa

[Annie]

I have this book about a hole to dig and love it too. Fantastic stuff!

[susan]

sigh.
i miss reading childrens books.
we use to go to the library a few times a week and get loads of books each time. our fave was anything by maurice sendak. i still have a soft spot for in the night kitchen. my daughter would say a few of the lines in the book, such as "mama, papa" . gotta love him! maybe i will make my daughter sit with me and we can read him together(shes 14) hehe

[d. Sharp]

A hole is to dig - one of our favorites!

[jennifer]

I see I'm not the only one who loves these books! I remember having them as a child. Even back then I loved the little drawings. They gave me a cozy feeling and still do.

[kristi]

I come by here all the time (thanks to Amy's link on her site) but usually see so many comments that I get too nervous to comment. Well, I have to this time--I have that book A Hole Is to Dig! I love it. I don't remember where I found it, but it's a super old copy and when I bought it I thought I would just decorate with it, but my daughter, who is 6, loves to read it. I love the way the sentences are written. Thanks for sharing such a great blog!

[cloth.paper.string]

a hole is to dig is one of my all time faves. my little one is all about making faces lately thanks to that book -- because after all, a face is for making faces...