I'll Be You and You Be Me (Sendak Reissues)

Rating:
Summary: A Timeless Treasure.....
Review: Almost fifty years ago, Ruth Krauss and Maurice Sendak collaborated on this special little book, told from a child's perspective, about love and friendship (love is the same as like/only you spell them different-/only more of the same, sort of-/Love has more stuff in it!), and it is as fresh and meaningful today, as it was back in the early fifties. I'll Be You And You Be Me is a marvelous collection of poems, stories, short plays, fairy tales and other bits of whimsy and imagination. Ms Krauss uses her talented ear to capture the essence of a small child at play and you can almost hear that little voice talking and explaining his or her vision of life and the world, as you read (I went to you./I went to me./I went to/every where./And I went/THERE.). Mr Sendak complements each written idea with his expressive and wonderfully detailed pen and ink drawings. Together, this dynamic duo has authored a simple, gentle book full of childlike insight, wisdom and humor that will charm and delight both youngsters and adults. Perfect for preschoolers, I'll Be You And You Be Me is a masterpiece and a timeless treasure to read together and share and pass along to friends family and future generations.

Rating:
Summary: The Finest Children's Book I Know
Review: As a child in the 1950s, this was my very favorite book, much like a deeply treasured playmate. When I became a father, I looked for it to share with my daughter, but it was way, way out of print. Decades later, I became a father again and found a used paperback copy in Canada. My 2 1/2 year old daughter now loves this book as much as I did almost fifty years ago, and asks for it every night. It is timeless. One of the reasons I think it has lasted so well is that much of the ideas the great Ruth Krauss used for the book came from small children themselves. It also features the early work of Krauss'long-time collaborator who went on to write wonderful books himself, Maurice Sendak. I'm very happy that I'll Be You and You Be Me has now been reissued in hardback. If you are a parent of a child under five, do yourself a favor and buy this book--before it goes out of print again