A Hole Is to Dig

by Ruth Krauss

Book Overview

The author's merry text and Sendak's bouncing illustrations provide young readers with a host of "first" definitions that explain everything from faces to books. Illustrated. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060234059
• ISBN13: 9780060234058
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 6.8"
• 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!