Product Description

What is a hole?
A hole is when you step in it
you go down

A hole is
for a mouse
to live in.

And, of course,a hole is to dig.

This is the funniest book
of definitions you'll ever read!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62990 in Books
• Published on: 1989-09-07
• Released on: 1989-09-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

From Publishers Weekly
First published in 1952, this hilarious classic is now available in paperback to a new generation. Krauss's definitions--from "toes are to wiggle" to "a hat is to wear on a train"--tell what's what--and Sendak's inimitable early illustrations show how. All ages.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"A unique book . . . with drawings bouncing with action and good humor." -- --NYT

About the Author
Ruth Krauss, a member of the experimental Writer's Laboratory at the Bank Street School in New York City in the 1940s, imaginatively used humor and invented words to create some of the very first books for children that highlighted the child s inner life.She collaborated with some of the greatest illustrators in children s literature, including her husband, Crockett Johnson.

Customer Reviews

An overlooked classic -- Early Sendak for kids and adults
This book is a terrific classic -- a listing of definitions, "laws" if you will, that are really almost self-evident in childhood. Each page contains a collection of drawings that illustrate the definition of something. The illustrations tend to show the early Sendak style, but in this book, there is essentially no overwhelming background -- each boy or girl or dog is illustrated in black and white (or beige). Each picture is self-contained, but there is some flow to the text on certain pages.

It's difficult to describe this book, but there is really a separate level for adults in these definitions that makes this an enjoyable read for parent and child. For the adult, this book evokes the simplest play of childhood and a return to certain basic principles that were probably totally accepted and later forgotten. I don't know why, but this is an overlooked classic. I can't think of another book like this.

A wonderful book that my kids want to hear over and over
Or maybe it's me that picks out the book over and over at bedtime. I was really touched the other day when my 5-year-old son helped my 3-year-old son zip his jacket, looked at me and said "a brother is to help." A great book that everyone should read.

a "must-have" for the bookshelf
I stumbled on an old copy in a used book store and bought it for myself (I'm 43!). It made me smile out loud as I stood reading it in the aisle. The illustrations and text are sweet and engaging... an example of what every book written for a young child (or young-at-heart adult) should be. I'd give this book more stars if they were available...