The Growing Story [Hardcover]

Ruth Krauss (Author), Helen Oxenbury (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

From this simple beginning grows a story that celebrates those little changes that tell us we're growing up! This Ruth Krauss classic enchanted young readers when it was first published in 1947. Now it blooms again with lush illustrations by one of the world's best-loved illustrators: Helen Oxenbury.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* In the original, 1947 edition of Krauss' classic story, Phyllis Rowand's illustrations featured a small boy, dressed in checked pants, a red jacket, and a jaunty cap, who wonders if he is getting bigger. Now, Oxenbury lightens and brightens the palette and sets the boy against pages of inviting white space that open the story. In late spring, the boy, his puppy, and some baby chicks are "very little." As the days grow longer and the grass grows faster, the boy informs the animals, "We're growing too." Together he and his mother put away his winter clothes, forgotten as spring stretches into summer and summer shortens into fall. The boy asks more than once if he is growing, even as he can see his puppy is now a dog, the chicks have now become chickens. Winter approaches, and it's time to take down the warm clothes. To the child's delight, his pants are too tight, his sleeves are too short. Finally, he has visible proof. "I'm growing too," he shouts as he does handstands across the final spread. The story gets right to a child's experiences as it expresses both wondering and wonderment. This comes out beautifully in art that captures the affection between a boy and his hardworking mother who makes a bountiful place of the land they farm. Ebullient. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Ruth Krauss, a member of the experimental Writer’s Laboratory at the Bank Street School in New York City in the 1940s, imaginatively used humor and invented words to create some of the very first books for children that highlighted a child’s inner life. She collaborated with some of the greatest illustrators in children’s literature, including Maurice Sendak and her husband, Crockett Johnson.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060247169
• ISBN-13: 978-0060247164
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

This outstanding American illustrator and author was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1928, the son of Jewish immigrants from Poland. Sendak's career as an illustrator began after a stint as a window dresser. He illustrated more than 40 books between 1951 and 1962. Where the Wild Things Are--the book that made Sendak's name internationally, appeared in 1964, and its popularity has never waned.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Love Helen Oxenbury's Illustrations, July 12, 2007

By 

San Diego Mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Growing Story (Hardcover)

We have "The Big Baby Book" by Helen Oxenbury, and I was so impressed by her illustrations that I searched for more of her products. I got a couple of copies of this book as presents for friends.

The story is about a boy and his puppy and how they grow. There's a lot of text, by the way. The recommended ages for this book are 4-8 unlike "The Big Baby Book". Of course the illustrations are lovely.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story, June 11, 2007

By 

M. J. Lickteig "Grandma Book Lover" (Belton, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Growing Story (Hardcover)

This is a book that my children enjoyed many years ago. I had been looking for a copy for years...Finally tried Amazon...Original story but new illustrations....beautiful illustrations...sweet story. Have sent copy to grandchildren to enjoy. Wonderful story for children under 7....my children enjoyed it so much that they actually wore out the copy we had...and it was a hard back book. Kudos to those who saw fit to reprint with updated illustrations.....Thank you!

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Book!, October 3, 2011

By 

jlk - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Growing Story (Hardcover)

I got this for my son's 2nd birthday. I love reading it to him and he loves having it read to him. We're huge Oxenbury fans. This book is super sweet. I love the illustrations.