Hole Is To Dig: Amazon.ca: Krauss: Books

Product Description

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

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews

5 star:		(5)
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Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An overlooked classic -- Early Sendak for kids and adults, Aug 10 2000

By

"nymom" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hole Is To Dig (Paperback)

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.

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2.0 out of 5 stars A Hole Is To Dig, May 5 2004

By

missliss23 "missliss23" (Nebraska, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hole Is To Dig (Hardcover)

A friend of ours bought this book (among hundreds others) at a book sale that a library was having and let my family take it as she was moving and didn't have room to take five boxes of ex-library books with her.

When I first saw the book I thought, "Oh, cute and old-fashioned!"... then I read it and was like, "Ok, this is just....weird..."

This book is full of definitions. Some of them are pretty cute, like the opening one, "Mashed potatoes are for everyone to have enough," and there are several others, as well.
But some of the definitions are just plain confusing. They are worded in such a way as to leave you scratching your head and trying to figure out WHAT is wrong with the phrase.

The illustrations are cute, I gotta admit. And some of the phrases are pretty catchy. But overall, I don't like this book.

My (...) twin sisters love having it read to them but it's just a very different and poorly written book.

I'm really sorry to those of you who love this book, but...in my opinion, this book is just awful... I mean, I guess I can see how I would love it if it reminded me of when I was a little kid (because I'm really sentimental;)) but I wouldn't recommend purchasing "A Hole Is To Dig".

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5.0 out of 5 stars a "must-have" for the bookshelf, April 25 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Hole Is To Dig (Hardcover)

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...

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst Book
My 2 1/2 year old loves to read. We have 2 bookshelves full of books from several authors. After reading this book, I can say without hesitation that it is the worst book on his... Read more

Published on Dec 30 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars 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... Read more

Published on May 12 1999