A Hole Is to Dig

By Ruth Krauss

Book Overview

Back in print with gorgeously restored artwork From beloved children's book creators Ruth Krauss and Maurice Sendak, this iconic hardcover book of first definitions is a clever, humorous read-aloud."A... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060234059
• ISBN13: 9780060234058
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.5" x 0.4" x 5.1"
• Age Range: 2 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

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...

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.

Mind-blowing! brilliant!

My girlfriend got this book as a Christmas present, and I picked it up and read it. We don't know why it isn't listed with the zen books! Simple, profound truths about the world we live in: dishes are to do.

Delightful!

My mother told me about this delightful little book, one of her favorites from childhood. It makes note of things I might have thought myself as a child, and mixes in wonderful details like the sound "boodly boodly boodly!". Excellent reading for a child of any age, even those who are only inner children anymore!