Nutshell Library: Alligators all around / Chicken Soup With Rice / One was Johnny / Pierre

Maurice Sendak must haves. The "nutshell library" is a classic. Books are hard cover, beautifully made, artwork is vibrant. The small cardboard case that holds them also well constructed. These books, from 1962, are fun, rythmic, and sing-songy. Easy for children to hold. A word of caution. Some modern parents find them too scary. Really, a lion that swallows a child because he didn't seen to care about anything or anyone. To me, it's fun and interesting. I get requests to read this one over and over. If there is any drawback, it is that they are manufactured in China.

My grandparents read these to me and it was cozy to get to hold these adorable books in my tiny hands while they read to me. I had to get a set for my grandchild to pass on that joy. But o find I take them out for my pen pleasure as well.

This set was much loved by my siblings and me when I was a child (f68) and my grandchildren loved it just as much. Bonus, on Youtube there’s a video of Carol King singing the Chicken Soup with Rice book to an animated cartoon. Warning though, if you play it more than twice, you will not be able to get it out of your head! My personal favorite is Pierre.

I bought this for a friend of mine. I already have a set and love the tiny books. They're very lovely stories.

I read these books to my own toddlers many years ago. The kids love the images and the rhythm of repetition. Now I buy them as gifts for new babies as well as for parents of babies and toddlers. At one time there was recorded music available for Chicken Soup With Rice. Suitable for babies and kids up through about age 5.

A personal favorite. I bought this for my kindergarten age grandchild, hoping she might be able to read some of it herself. Mini-size books fit in her little hands very nicely. Books are also fun to read out loud to a child; good rhymes and silly stories/drawings. Each little book is hardcover with a paper jacket and all of them fit into their little box together to make a nice set.

My children and my grandchildren loved this Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak! That little box of 4 books is worn around the edges because they were much loved. I'm so glad they are still being published and I love giving them to young children of friends since I know they will be a hit. Each book teaches a skill (alphabet,counting, months of the year, and manners) in such a fun way. The illustrations are delightful and in true Sendak style, just a little bit naughty and just a little bit scary but very fun and reassuring too.

I re-discovered this collection two years ago, and took a very fond walk down memory lane - I loved these as a child. My two-year old recently became hooked, and I have now had the exquisite pleasure of revisiting "Chicken Soup with Rice", "One was Johnny", "Pierre", and "Alligators All Around" on a regular basis. With the same arch humor and sly drawings that Sendak brought to "Where the Wild Things Are", the four books in the Nutshell Library entertain as they instruct. The rhyming pattern makes it very easy to memorize (I've gotten to be a whiz at reading in semi-darkness circa bedtime...) - in fact, my daughter can "read" almost all of "Chicken Soup with Rice" now by associating the rhymes with the pictures. This collection is a rarity in children's books - it's fun for both kids and parents! Plus, it easily fits into a purse or diaper bag to take along on trips - whether to the supermarket, or Grandma's. And the kid-sized volumes are a delight for small hands. DON'T MISS IT!

These little books are part of a full play, Really Rosie, sung by Carole King and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. The whole play (in 3 videos) and each of the four books has a you tube video. The books are much more fun with the video. Or at least with the soundtrack.

These are the best books on Amazon. Started when my boy was 12 months old, he's 24 months now and we will read one or all everyday. So cool how they are small, I can easily keep one in my small handbag. And perfect for his little hands of he wants to thumb through it in his own. The best books!

Everything was perfect!

We love this designer. They are light small books that I can carry easily in the bag so I can entertain the kids when we go out without carrying heavy books. For the rest use your imagination ... Adoriamo questo disegnatore. Sono libretti piccoli leggeri che stanno nella borsa così posso intrattenere i bimbi in giro senza portare libri pesanti. Il resto poi la nostra fantasia ...

Very Cute. Great Books. Makes a super gift.