Customer Reviews

In The Night Kitchen

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This book has survived the test of time and is one of the favorites of my grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A highly unique concept of a boy who has a 'dream' experience in the night kitchen of a baker! Yummy dessert delights as well as a feast for the eyes ... the illustrations are out of this world ... and a feast for the ears ... the chantable text is delightful! Highly recommended for kids of all ages.

Reviewer: Betty Dravis, author of TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY

Mickey is a fantastic throwback to the lovely lovely adventures of Little Nemo In Slumberland, an illustrated comic in American newspapers during the early 20th century. Like Little Nemo, Mickey's adventures drift from panel to panel in a dreamlike trance. The cooks who look like Oliver Hardy always struck me as the best part of the book; as well as Mickey floating in the giant bottle of milk as his little dough plane disintegrates.

Why do people find this book controversial? They are the same people who fear and have stifled the powers of their own imaginations. We have all had strange dreams like this, and Sendak has beautifully captured those sleepy moments. Why are they bothered by Mickey's state of undress? Who cares?

My mother read this book to my sisters and I many times when we were children. I still love it! I have bought it for all of my friends who have children. Lesser known than "Where the Wild Things Are", but just as wonderful.

I bought this book for my yet to be born child because my husband and I love cooking and we liked "Where the Wild Things Are". I really liked the story and the illustrations are wonderful.

It was noted in the other reviews, but I will mention it here as well that in select frames, Mickey is naked and does have a penis. If anyone has any concerns about this with reading it to their children they should probably find a different book.

It continues to amaze me how much of my childhood I can't remember. All the lesson I've learned from my parents were taking in, whether I truly listened was a different issue entirely. So when I recently mentioned to them that I remember this book. They were surpirsed. They joked how they wish other things they had read or said to me would of stuck as well. I'm 32 now, and what I do remember most about my childhood is a full of books. In The Night Kitchen - is one of those. I remember loving it so much back then that I asked if they still had it. Surprised and grateful - the book remains in our family. I'm looking forward to reading it again. In that instant I become the child in the backseat. "Are we there yet..."

I remember reading this book as a child and I have to say that I was neither disturbed by the nudity nor frightened by anything in the book. we must remember that Sendak is writing for children and as much as we hate to admit it adults often have no idea what will or will not frighten a child, at the same time each child is very different and what may frighten one child may not affect another in the least. From what I can tell children at a young age do not think being naked is a bad thing and the idea of playing in cake batter is a pleasent idea.
When it was read to me I was not at all embarrassed that Micky was naked in fact to me that was just part of the fun.
A children's story should be written for the audience and I think that Sendak possesses an incredible talent for telling the stories that children will love. And the really important part after all is that the child loves it.

My son is twenty now, but I can still recite this book because I read it to him so many times when he was small. He still loves this this book and buys it for mothers-to-be and our young cousins.

I am truly surprised at some of the negative reviews regarding this book. My three year old daughter and I both reach for this as a favorite nighttime read. The illustrations, while muted, are imaginative and engaging. The story is whisical and entertaining.
That being said, I can understand if some do not enjoy the illustrations or the story. Art & literature are not the same for every person. However, I am appalled at the controversy over the "naked boy" illustrations. These are clean, fun drawings. I dare say that those who find this book controversial will be banning Huck Finn for our teenagers.

I got this book because I thought my 16-month-old was having nightmares and I'd read this was a good book to explain what dreams are to little children. I was in a big hurry when I bought it and didn't read it first. I'm glad I didn't, because I probably wouldn't have bought it. It is very strange - but it grows on you. At first, I really didn't like it at all - but my son just ADORES it! As soon as I get to the last page he is whining for me to start reading it all over again! Apparently something about it appeals to most kids because he just wants to hear it over and over again!

I think it's weird, but I understand it and respect it, and it really doesn't matter what I think about it - the fact that my son enjoys it so much is good enough for me. As for the nudity ..... BIG DEAL! Get over it!

My three year old son has heard this story at least once a week since he was born. He is not tired of it yet. Neither am I.
The illustrations are reminiscent of 1960s children's advertisements, and are positively gorgeous! The cityscape made of kitchen containers and cooking utensils stimulates children's imagination and makes for a dreamy, innocent background to the charming story.

Some parents will no doubt fixate on the fact that Mickey is naked and has a penis (gasp!). If you are the parent of a little boy this should not shock you. If you are not the parent of a little boy, you are surely aware that boys do in fact have these things. I cannot understand why this one aspect of the book creates such controversy.

The cadences of the story are fun, and children are likely to take up chanting "Milk in the batter! Milk in the batter!" as they become familiar with the story. My son loves to say the words with me as I read, and the marching rhythm of the story makes it easy for him to remember.

It's a fun, silly book sure to become a favorite in your child's library.

As a sidenote, The Nutshell Kids collection has a video version of this, which is very good.