A Hole is to Dig ~Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
–1952, this version 1980.
–48 pages, HarperCollins
–5/5 stars
In cleaning out my basement for recent garage sales I started going through my piles of saved magazines to determine which to keep, which to toss, and which to donate to my work for group art therapy projects. While doing so I came across a one page article in Decor magazine, I believe, in which an architect was listing 12 favorite things. One showed the cover of this book and I was immediately intrigued. It had illustrations by Maurice Sendak so it is a no-brainer why I was drawn to it. I came right upstairs, got on the computer, and put a hold on it at my local library.
I picked it up yesterday afternoon and both Mary and I read it and talked about it last night.
It is a wonderful little treasure.
If you could say that a book is about nothing and is about everything at the same time and mean it as a genuine compliment, A Hole is to Dig epitomizes that very description. It is little wonder to me that a book categorized in Baby-Preschool is considered a favorite by an adult because I’ve read it and it is great. Ruth Krauss writes such simple phrases that are so profound. Coupled with Maurice Sendak’s nostalgia-inducing illustrations these brief red type-faced phrases speak volumes.
There is a great deal of humor in the book as well, most often found in the form of much tinier definitions and illustrations scattered randomly across pages. A Hole is to Dig is the perfect summer read because so many of the illustrations remind me of just how fun and full of freedom summer was when I was a carefree child.
A Hole is to Dig is about the matter-of-factness of play and imagination and friendship. Sendak’s illustrations convey a sense of love and bonding amongst children and between parents and their children. Whimsical? Yes. Delightful? Double yes!
Reading A Hole is to Dig made me want to schedule a day to just go out and play the old fashioned way, with a pale and shovel, with trucks and cars, with a ball or with my dog. Digging in the sand, playing in mud puddles, climbing all over stuff, dancing for joy…life was simpler at that age but we can learn a lesson in how to bring some of this simplicity back into our own lives.
I’m sure I’m reading a lot into a very quick read, but the fact of the matter is that you can just as easily get lost in thought with each page and the words and pictures featured therein as you can tearing through it quickly to get to the end.
And what a marvelous end! I won’t spoil it for you by showing you that last page. It is worth tracking down the book just for that one page in my opinion.
Dreams are for seeing things in the night, holes are to dig, and I plan on saying, “Doodleedoodleedoo-oo” far more often than I do now!
This is one of my very favorite books! Ruth Krauss was a genius, without question, as is Maurice Sendak.
Thanks for these excerpts and so glad to hear you’ll be dreaming and doodledoodledoooing. xoxo
I loved this one when I was a kid but haven’t seen it for years. I’ll have to track down a copy!
I guess i missed this one as a kid.. but then again, I missed most all of them…
I don’t even have to read it to say.. that many times simplicity is by far the better way to understand something.
i wish insurance companies would take the hint and make their things “simpler to read!”
Are you aware of this blog? http://www.terribleyelloweyes.com/
I think you might like it in the unlikely event that you dont already know about it…
Its a tribute to Maurice Sendak’s “Where the wild things are”. Very cool.
Oh, this sounds like such a sweet book!
This looks like an absolute treasure!!!
I’m so glad you enjoy this book as much as I do! I still have my copy from when I was little, and it was wonderful being able to read it to my children. It is a gem.
Darla: I’m glad I came across that magazine article…again. Both my wife and I really enjoyed reading it. A gem it is!
Debi: It is, I think you’d enjoy it…good book to find at your local library.
Nymeth: It is sweet too! And funny.
Masha: No, I wasn’t aware of that site, so thank you so much for the link. There are some really fun works of art over there and I’m really excited about the upcoming film adaptation.
Deslily: There is a lot to be said for simplicity. Sometimes those simple messages can pack the biggest punch!
Kristin and Lily: It is fun to read about others enjoying this book since it is certainly one that I’d never heard of before now. I can see why it would be one a kid would love, especially if read aloud, and the illustrations are wonderful.
Lily: I will be dreaming and doodledoodledoooing for a long time!
Sounds like a great book for Uncle Carl and Aunt Mary to read to little miss Madeline.
The book looks great. Thanks for shareing. I’ll have to track it down as well.
Hear Hear for bringing more simplicity back into our lives!
LOVE the opening pic, as well, of the book on the shovel. So very well done, Carl!
Rusvw: So great to hear from you! Its been too long. And too long since I’ve been over to your site as well! And thanks.
Jeff: That’s what I was thinking too.
Most often than not simplicity carries a certain air of wisdom and depth than pages long analytical writing. This is what Japanese, I think the least, praise in their culture and where else can you find such simplicity than in the child’s eyes. 🙂 Sounds like a brilliant book.
What a lovely book. I’m only familiar with his Where the Wild Things Are, but this looks great, too. It’s nice to know some books never go out of style and this seems like one of them!
I love love love this book and have an old copy that I found years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. Now it’s my second son’s most favourite book. He reads it all the time, because, he says, “it’s silly, Mom!” His fave passage is: “A tablespoon is to eat a table with.” My faves are: “The world is so you have something to stand on.” and “A castle is to build in the sand.” Thanks for sharing! 😀
Harry: You are dead right there.
Danielle: I am so looking forward to the movie version of that book. I hope it is as good as the trailers look.
Claire: It is silly, much more silly than I anticipated and I’m glad my wife and daughter saw the silliness in it as well.
Carl, I have this book!! I found it at an antique store in Whittier, CA for like 2 bucks!! I love it, and it was sure helpful inspiration for my book!!
Super!! Thanks for always coming by my blog and leaving me some love!! Here’s some love back!! XOXO!!
Brandi: That is a steal. I’d definitely buy myself a copy if I found that kind of a deal on it. It is a delightful book and I can see why it inspired you.
And thanks for the love, it is always appreciated.