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A Hole Is to Dig
 
 
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A Hole Is to Dig (Paperback)

by Ruth Krauss (Author), Maurice Sendak (Illustrator)
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

List Price: $6.95
Price: $6.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Frequently Bought Together

A Hole Is to Dig + I'll Be You and You Be Me + Open House for Butterflies
Price For All Three: $32.04

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  • This item: A Hole Is to Dig by Ruth Krauss

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  • I'll Be You and You Be Me by Ruth Krauss

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  • Open House for Butterflies by Ruth Krauss

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Editorial Reviews

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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Product Details


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Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover


What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

A Hole Is to Dig
89% buy the item featured on this page:
A Hole Is to Dig 4.3 out of 5 stars (13)
$6.95
The Carrot Seed 60th Anniversary Edition
4% buy
The Carrot Seed 60th Anniversary Edition 4.8 out of 5 stars (35)
$6.99
A Very Special House
3% buy
A Very Special House 5.0 out of 5 stars (7)
$13.22
I'll Be You and You Be Me
2% buy
I'll Be You and You Be Me 5.0 out of 5 stars (4)
$11.53

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (10)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An overlooked classic -- Early Sendak for kids and adults, August 10, 2000
By "nymom" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book that my kids want to hear over and over, May 12, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: A Hole Is to Dig (Hardcover)
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.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars a "must-have" for the bookshelf, April 25, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: A 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

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for a little one
I chose this adorable book after combing through best loved classics childrens book lists on other sites. It is a gift for my 3 yr. old nephew. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Auntie Mel

3.0 out of 5 stars Prefer the Hardcover Version...
This is an imaginative little book that makes a great gift. "A Hole is to Dig" is a compilation of child-like observations with whimsical pictures. Read more
Published 13 months ago by J. Neal

5.0 out of 5 stars My first Ruth Krauss/Maurice Sendak book
I love this book! It's my first one by Ruth Krauss/Maurice Sendak. I've read it 3 times already. I love the text and the illustrations; I could look at them over and over. Read more
Published 15 months ago by PixieBella

5.0 out of 5 stars Rugs are so dogs have napkins!
I spent HOURS with this book as a child -- the hands down favorite in our family then and now with another generation -- I have bought oodles of copies for kids I know. Read more
Published 17 months ago by professor mom

5.0 out of 5 stars Second generation read
I was looking for something to send to my 4-year-old grandson and discovered this wonderful book that his father, now 44, loved when he was little. Read more
Published on July 10, 2007 by MaryAnn Jackman

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is to share.
this is a wonderful, sweet, introspective book with precious, timeless illustrations. I plan on giving it as a gift to friends' children in the future.
Published on January 21, 2005 by Allison Miller

2.0 out of 5 stars A Hole Is To Dig
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... Read more
Published on May 5, 2004 by missliss23

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 December 29, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars 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! Read more
Published on January 4, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars 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... Read more
Published on July 21, 1998

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