this week's library book
Summertime means lots of things at our house: lazy mornings, corn on the cob, afternoons at the pool, ice cream cones, Saturdays spent at the beach with the cousins, the county fair, going to bed a bit later than usual.. and, of course, trips to the library.
I was first introduced to Don and Audrey Wood when C received The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear as a birthday present several years ago. So when I saw The Napping House at the library, I added it to our pile without even opening it up. I do this a lot at the library, find an author I like and then search through the stacks to see how many other books they've written. I figure if I love one book, the other books can't be half bad.
The Napping House tells the story of "a napping house, where everyone is sleeping". First the snoring granny, then a dreaming child, and on and on with a dozing dog, a snoozing cat, a slumbering mouse... and finally a wakeful flea, all in a pile on grandmother's bed.
When the flea decides to bite the mouse, which scratches the cat, which claws the dog.. and so on and so on, needless to say the nap is soon over.
I read in an interview with Audrey Wood that this book was based on the napping habits of their son Bruce, who refused to nap at home, but would nap at his granny's house where everything was quiet. "We learned by trial and error that the only way we could get him to sleep was to walk him the two blocks to his granny’s house. Everything there was restful and calm, and granny (my mother) always loved to take an afternoon nap. She owned a fluffy dog, and when granny, the dog, and Bruce settled into her cozy bed, everyone was dreaming in minutes. This became a daily ritual, and we began to refer to my mother’s home as "the napping house." That’s how the book was born."
08.3.2010
Reader Comments (49)
One of my favorite children's books! The illustrations are so soothing. They make me want to crawl into that house and take a little snooze. I LOVE this weekly post you do!
I received this book as a baby shower gift and we now LOVE this book! Our book came with a bonus cd that we keep in the car. Perhaps we'll head over to the library after nap today and look for other books by this author!
I have to say that I LOVE this series on your blog...the photos are so cute, and I always enjoy seeing what will be next.
What an adorable story! I love children's books. They pull me in every time! I could spend hours in the children's section at Barnes and Noble!
We love all things Don and Audrey Woods! My 5 year old has many of their books memorized and can "read" them to her little sisters. Thanks for the inspiration story on this one!
The napping house is one of my favorites! I loved it when I was younger. I think one of my teachers read it to us at school, I don't remember very well though. I was shocked to find it as a board book. So that's how I read it to my kids now.
Lovely post. Thank you for the inspiration! :)
Lovely post. Thank you for the inspiration! :)
We love this book too! I read it for many a napping time and the bed crashing sequence always had my boy giggling - sadly his napping times are long over now much as I wish they weren't...This is such a lovely series and I enjoy looking out for the books you write about that we don't know yet.
I love love reading your blog! You give so much inspiration and insight into so many things! I especially loved your idea on "the favorite things" party. I was wondering if you would share with me your invitation to the party or what font style you used. I love the simplicity of your recipe cards and want to do something similar in my neighborhood. Thanks again!
I love this book and read it to my preschool class often. I love the story about how it was written. I will have to share that with my class. Love your books posts!!
I LOVED that book as a child. Both of my parents are artists, and they always looked for books with beautiful illustrations. This was one of my favorites. Also check out:
1. "The Tinder Box" (illustrated by James Warhola - dogs with giant eyes on a drawbridge as the cover)
2. "My friend the Moon" (by Andre Dahan, french author, beautiful water colors)
3. "Princess Furball" (Charlotte Huck and Anita Lobel)
4. "Twelve Dancing Princesses" (Marianna Mayer)
5. "Heckedy Peg" (Audrey Wood)
6. "King Bidgood's in the Bath tub" (Audrey Wood)
7. "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" (Mercer Mayer)
These were my favorites, and at 26 years old, I can still see their illustrations in my head.
a personal favorite, too
Awesome book!
I have read this book with my daughter. We both liked it and enjoyed reading it. If you also need some Educational Toys for your kid then we will be glad to serve you.
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