Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
19th out of 570 books
—
211 voters
Nutshell Library
This 4-volume boxed set contains an alphabet book, a book of rhymes about each month, a counting book, and a cautionary tale all written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Includes the titles Alligators All Around, Chicken Soup with Rice, One Was Johnny, and Pierre.(Titles available separately in library and paperback editions.)
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
October 10th 1962
by HarperCollins
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,034)
May 02, 2008
Ycart6
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone
Recommended to Ycart6 by:
Matthew Chan
These books are great! The rhymes are simple and catchy. There is a moral to every story, and a three year old will sit through all four. When Matthew and I read Pierre, I have Matthew read the "I Don't Care" part. Hmmm...maybe that wasn't such a good idea, Matthew went through an "I don't care" phase when his parents first started reading him the books. I guess he's over it, but he still likes to read the "I don't care" part. Sendak really caught the essence of imagination combined with simplic...more
We based our story times this week on Sendak's "Nutshell Library" which consists of 4 hand-sized concept books.
Alligators All Around -- an A B C book featuring an alligator family bursting balloons, catching colds, doing dishes, entertaining elephants, etc. For purposes of story time the pictures were enlarged.
One Was Johnny -- a Counting book featuring Johnny who lived by himself. The story builds one character and event at a time, such as the house that Jack built. By the time there are nine v...more
Alligators All Around -- an A B C book featuring an alligator family bursting balloons, catching colds, doing dishes, entertaining elephants, etc. For purposes of story time the pictures were enlarged.
One Was Johnny -- a Counting book featuring Johnny who lived by himself. The story builds one character and event at a time, such as the house that Jack built. By the time there are nine v...more
Oh, how I loved this little boxed set. I reviewed the books individually at an earlier date. But it is worth noting that beyond the books themselves there was something so wonderful about owning the entire set. The child-sized box, taking the treasured books out and admiring their covers, deliberating about which volume to read first, that satisfying snap when all four books were safely back in place and ready to be toted around. Ah, life's simple pleasures!
These are a favorite from my childhood. I love "Alligators all Around", "Pierre: A Cautionary Tale", and "Chicken Soup with Rice" set to music. Wonderful to be able to share these with my kids, especially when Pierre, sung by Carole King...
"[He:] rubbed his eyes, and scratched his head
And laughed because he wasn't dead.
His mother cried and held him tight.
His father asked 'Are you all right?'
Pierre said 'I am feeling fine,
Please take me home, it's half past nine,'
The lion said, 'If you woul...more
"[He:] rubbed his eyes, and scratched his head
And laughed because he wasn't dead.
His mother cried and held him tight.
His father asked 'Are you all right?'
Pierre said 'I am feeling fine,
Please take me home, it's half past nine,'
The lion said, 'If you woul...more
Nutshell Library is a very cute set. Four charming books by Maurice Sendak in a beautifully decorated box. First there's Chicken Soup With Rice, a book about a little boy so obsessed with chicken soup he'll eat it on anything: toast, rice, you name it. Then there's Pierre, about a little brat of a boy who learns a lesson. Next comes One Was Johnny, a counting book, and finally Alligators All Around, all about a alligator family acting out the alphabet. All of the books are great, but I I do thin...more
Okay, usually I don't add both a collected set of books and its components separately, because to me it's sort of "cheating." But the minute I saw this on one of the listopia lists, I had to add it, because my childhood memories of this darling little sleeve with the darling little books in it came rushing back. My experience of the Nutshell Library was a separate thing from my experience of the individual books! And, to be fair, I'm almost certain I had at least one, perhaps two, of the little...more
There's nothing on earth that compares to the moments spent snuggled up with my granddaughter reading these little books. Her bright blue eyes widening when the rhyming catches her funny bone! I treasure this time ... Stolen away from our hectic, busy, rush rush lives... These are the memories that stay with us and I wouldn't miss it for the world. Sharing "Nutshell Library" is more than reading a cute book - it gives us a chance to bond with our little ones, recall our own childhood memories, a...more
I'm adding these books because they are my first recollection of reading myself. And I've got to tell you that the similarity between myself and Pierre cannot be a coincidence. I have stolen his line ever since I read the book at probably six. All my life I have given a spontaneous response of "I don't care" to a myriad of situations. Mr. Sendak's recent demise made me remember why and solidified in my mind where it comes from. Personally I think it has served me well.
There is something so appealing and intimate about a tiny book, undoubtedly because the small size necessitates "up close and personal" sharing. These four titles are forever entwined with memories of snuggling close with my daughter as we delighted in Pierre's cautionary tale, alphabetical alligators, counting up and down with Johnny, and a year of chicken soup with rice. These are precious memories, and just the sight of this mini set makes me smile.
The 1st book I loved to almost death, well collection of books. Every Child, everywhere should own this small set of SUCH IMPORTANT, Moral Tales. Well made, Bound great, lovely Illustrations in color. If u need to buy a child a gift, and they are just reading or have been for a year, buy them this. You will both love them!! Chicken Soup With Rice, Pierre, all found within.
Chicken Soup with Rice is the current favorite. You like to chant "chicken soup with rice." You always want to turn to the March page with the wind blowing down the door, whose violence slightly scares you. When you heard a song about a robin, you remembered the robin who concocts soup in his nest. You call the "goblin" on the first page a lion.
May 03, 2010
Alisa Tazioli
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
kids
Shelves:
all-time-favorites
My parents got this little series for my sister and I when we were little kids. We LOVED these, and many many years later discovered that my parents kept this little treasure on their bookshelf all these years. Clever little stories illustrated beautifully.
A fantastic four book collection of children's books that fits neatly into the palm of your hand. So portable and easy to manage for kids. Fun stories and illustrations that are engaging to read over and over again.
I recently dug these cute little books out of a box from my childhood to read to Riley. They are fabulous - my favorites are Pierre, who always says "I don't care!" and Chicken Soup with Rice.
In my household, with my children now grown up, we still now and then remark...And So The Lion Ate Pierre....
This set belongs in any home with children. And probably in those without too.
This set belongs in any home with children. And probably in those without too.
Also make sure to listen to the CD "Really Rosie" by Carole King.
"Pierre" is one of the best stories ever, and includes the lines (after cold and uncaring Pierre has been rescued from a lion's belly):
"He rubbed his eyes, and scratched his head
And laughed because he wasn't dead.
His mother cried and held him tight.
His father asked 'Are you all right?'
Pierre said 'I am feeling fine,
Please take me home, it's half past nine,'
The lion said, 'If you would care
To ride on me, I'll take you there'
And ever...more
"Pierre" is one of the best stories ever, and includes the lines (after cold and uncaring Pierre has been rescued from a lion's belly):
"He rubbed his eyes, and scratched his head
And laughed because he wasn't dead.
His mother cried and held him tight.
His father asked 'Are you all right?'
Pierre said 'I am feeling fine,
Please take me home, it's half past nine,'
The lion said, 'If you would care
To ride on me, I'll take you there'
And ever...more
Feb 01, 2009
Rosa
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes books from their own childhood.
Recommended to Rosa by:
Through Self.
These books are so cute. I can recall a time when I used to watch short TV Program about the book Chicken Soup with Rice. These books will take you down memory lane !
My kindergarten teacher sang through these books with our class. Now, I enjoy them with my children. The tiny size is just right for little hands and big imaginations!
I'm a huge sucker for tiny things and kids' books, so this definitely fit the bill. Enjoyable books which teach counting, letters, months....unique and quirky!
Julie gave these to me right after Luxmi was born and not only are they adorably tiny but great stories with beautiful illustrations, of course.
Iremember these books from my childhood. My favorite is Pierre and the lesson learned about caring. This set of books are must reads.
Adorable box set of tiny nutshell library by the great Sendak - had to add this to my kid lit bookshelf.
A lovely and sweet little collection of stories for young readers, but adults will have fun as well.
Jul 31, 2012
Lisainberlin
marked it as to-read
I treasured these as a kid and now my two-year old daughter LOVES them.
Best loved of the four - Pierre! Oh yes, we cared!
My favorite of these books is Chicken Soup with Rice.
Mar 18, 2010
Jamie
marked it as childrens-to-read
Havent read it yet, it was on a recommendation list.
Hope these can last through Jonas. He loves them!
Jun 11, 2009
Ehbluemle Bluemle
added it
Nutshell Library (Caldecott Collection) (1962)
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Maurice Bernard Sendak is an American writer and illustrator of children's literature who is best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963. An elementary school (from kindergarten to grade five) in North Hollywood, California is named in his honor.
Sendak was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents, and decided to become an illustrator after viewing Wal...more
More about Maurice Sendak...
Sendak was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents, and decided to become an illustrator after viewing Wal...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
May 03, 2008 10:05am