Speaking of Children's Books

March 4, 2011 by Rieshy
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There's not a room in our house without a bookcase or two- or at the least a stack of books.  This means that books disappear and reappear into family circulation in somewhat mysterious ways.

Yesterday my 3 year old carried In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak, in his stack of to be read aloud books.  I hadn't seen that book in a couple of years.  As I started to read a bevy of older kids were attracted to the sofa.

Evidently they all wanted to see the 3 year old's reaction to this admittedly quirky book.  After all our 3 year old has shown a strong preference for personal nudity.

No reaction.  No reaction at all.  He had a poker face- even after Mickey fell out of his clothes.

I finished his stack of books.  He paused and then pulled out In the Night Kitchen again.  "Read this again," he said with a perplexed look.  So I did.

This time he responded.  Each page turn was a new expression.  He was enchanted.  This time he did not disappoint his siblings.

After I finished the book he turned to the page where Mickey is swimming to the top of the jar of milk.  "That's disgusting," he announced with enough facial expression to make a child-Disney-actor proud.

I thought it was Mickey's lack of clothing that was bothering my son, but for my Feel Good Friday funny it was something different.

"His BOTTOM is in the milk!" he exclaimed with 3 year old revulsion.

You know, that is gross.


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4 comments:

Melanie said...

I adore that book! I remember when it came out and there was a terrible fuss among librarians about it being inappropriate! I've know lots of kids with a propensity for nudity. My ds included!

JoAnna said...

As a teacher, I am thrilled to hear about the "stack" of read aloud books. Go you!!!

Anonymous said...

What a fun post to read. I'm not familiar with that book. I voe hearing about the response. XD

dollycas aka Lori said...

I love this post!!!! I had not heard of this book but have added it too a list for my grandson!!

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