Thursday, June 24, 2010

My Favorite Counting Book

I love Maurice Sendak's rhyming counting book, ONE WAS JOHNNY. I can read it over and over again and still appreciate the humor. I always read the middle section in a crescendo that has me roaring the "I'll eat all of you!!!!" because it makes my kids giggle. Have any of you read it?

We bought ONE WAS JOHNNY as part of Sendak's NUTSHELL LIBRARY, and all four of the books are great. They're just so tiny. Gwenyth likes that they're tiny, but it makes reading them to more than one child at bedtime more challenging. And once they hear me start reading it, I have more than one child to read to, and they want me to read it more than once (this is why I only buy picture books that I like to read).

If you're not sure who Maurice Sendak is, he also wrote and illustrated WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, one of the most beloved picture books of all time.

Do you have a favorite counting or Maurice Sendak book? And do you think my reading choices are warping my children? At the moment, this is their favorite Muppet clip.


I wish you could hear them laughing. :o)

14 comments:

  1. The more warped, the more my girls liked a story!
    The all seem to be turning out ok.

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  2. I haven't read or see the picture book WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, but I quess it's the same as The Wild Things?!:) I did read that one. I still have to write a review for it, but it was very good. I really adored it. Have you seen the movie? I haven't, but I really want to.

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  3. That was a great video! And I don't see anything wrong with your kids think it's great, either.

    I really liked "One Hungry Monster" growing up, mostly because all the little monsters did crazy stuff with their food. Which was great.

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  4. Haven't read ONE WAS JOHNNY, but I'll have to check it out. Being a math major and everything, I'm all about the number books:)

    The new look is very stylish, by the way.

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  5. When I was a kid I loved Sendak's work.

    I have a blog award for you.

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  6. Thanks, Al!

    I think it's the same, Nina. I googled The Wild Things, and Where the Wild Things Are came up. I haven't seen the movie, but I want to.

    Thanks, Debbie! I think it's funny, and I enjoy watching them watch it.

    Yes, I think that both of yours would like it, Krista. And thanks!

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  7. Thanks for the award, Medeia!

    I like Sendak's work even more as a parent than I did as a kid.

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  8. I love Where the Wild Things Are...but I haven't read the others.

    Warping your children? Heck NO!

    Keep being the great mom that you are!

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  9. My son-in-law actually has scenes from Where the Wild Things Are tattooed on his leg.

    I know, slightly strange. And at first glance, they look like gang tats. Not always a good thing...

    ;)

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  10. I love his "There's a monster in my closet" book. I think he wrote it. I haven't read the counting one, I'll have to look for it.
    I'm totally with you on only buying books you like to read. I have too many that I have hidden from my kids because I just can't stand them. :)

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  11. How have I missed this book all these year? I need to get my hands on a copy somehow.

    I also do not read books to my children that I don't like. If we bring one home from the library that I detest, I hide it -- or return it early. If they ever do manage to find it and bring it to me I tell them I'm not going to read it. Aren't I a mean mom? But I can't help it. Reading bad books is torture!

    Amy

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  12. After seeing that clip, kids' books are the last thing on my mind. I'm just jammin' like those poor little rabbits . . .

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  13. Haha...I have a feeling my daughter is going to be just as warped!

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  14. Um... if the book choices don't warp them, the Muppet videos might! Ha, ha.

    My favorite Sendak as a kid was I Don't Care, Said Pierre. I used to read it over and over again. But I needed a counting book for the three year old, so thanks! I'm going to check this one out!

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