In a People House

In a People House by Theo LeSieg
Illustrated by Roy McKie
Random House, 1972

Even in this remarkably simplistic book, Dr. Seuss uses rhyme and rhythm to capture the attention of his young readers as mouse gives bird a tour of the "people house."

"These are doughnuts. Here's a door. Come along, I'll show you more...."

One of my favorites is a page with baked beans, bureau drawers and books, and mini me crossed OUT the word bureau and wrote "dresser" because I was apparently concerned someone might not understand that word since it wasn't the one --I-- used in describing that bit of furniture. I love my young editorial marks in books, they really crack me up!

Do They Dare?

Stan and Jan Berenstain, Random House, 1978

I always loved the Berenstain Bears books and wished I had a hollowed out tree for a home. So, when they explore the spooky old tree in this book, it seemed like a wonderful adventure. It reminds me a bit of the bit of Pippi Longstocking in which she is holed up in a tree or now that I've seen the film, the way the kids explore the underground chambers and tunnels beneath Astoria. I love that sort of thing.

This is another one of those Beginner Books with easy to read print and language. I should have scanned the image of this, but I didn't think of it. I love how Stan and Jan depict "fear" in the bears with a sort of illustrated shiver. Good stuff.

Is Marvin Oppositional Defiant?

Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!
by Dr. Seuss, Bright and Early Book
Random House, 1972

Seuss brings new meaning and transportation options to the phrase, "Hit the road, Jack." Whether by Bumble-Boat or Zumble-Zay, Marvin K. Mooney has orders to go! The mysterious large and bossy hand with his large wrist watch offers plenty of friendly suggestions before getting tough. It's a bit like how I feel some days as a teacher. Friendly and firm to start and finally letting loose with some all-in-caps words!

The Butterfly Effect for Beginners.

Because a Little Bug went Ka-Choo!

by Rosetta Stone, Illustrated by Michael Frith
Random House, 1975

Today I learned that "Rosetta Stone" is another alias for Dr. Seuss. I had no idea! Of course it makes sense since so many of these Beginner Books are by Seuss.

The Beginner Book Story
"Ten years ago, Dr. Seuss took 220 words, rhymed them, and turned out The Cat in the Hat, a little volume of absurdity that worked like a karate chop on the weary little wold of Dick, Jane, and Spot."
--Ellen Goodman, The Detroit Free Press, Nov. 1966


I loved this cause and effect, chain of events sort of book. It's a bit like the recent Laura Numeroff books If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. (The illustrator of those, Felicia Bond is another favorite) In this Beginner Book story, what begins with a sneeze ends up being utter pandemonium.

I remember loving this last set of pages. It was so fun to see where the various characters ended up and to follow all the different disastrous moves on the pages.

Dum ditty Dum ditty Dum Dum Dum...

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb
by Al Perkins, Illustrated by Eric Gurney

Bright & Early Book, Random House, 1969

This book is pretty primitive and I'm not saying that in some evolutionary, "from ape to man" way. Instead the language in the book is remarkably limited and yet I remember really liking this book. I have decided it's the rhyme and rhythm that appealed to my poetic nature. Here are some favorite images:

Look Pa, I'm Doing a Figure Sixteen!

Stan and Jan Berenstain, illustrators, Random House, 1970

The early rhyming Berenstain Bears books have a special place in my heart. When they started mass producing moral tales in the 8 x 8 size I lost some interest. However, I had a few of these Beginner Books and even some large size almanac or encyclopedia type books of theirs.

In this BB book, as in so many of theirs, Papa Bear is prepared to educate his son in the ways of the world. In this book, it's how to use all his fantastic Christmas presents--skis, sled, ice skates. Ahhh... the joys of seeing old Papa Bear's "Great Belly Flop." Of course, his son is wise beyond his years and kindly helps out his pop when he finds himself in a pickle. Is it my imagination or does Mama Bear have a sort of knowing look in her eyes. I can almost hear her patient sigh as her husband bounds out the door with their son in tow!

A Horse by Any Other Name...

P. D. Eastman, illustrator, Random House, 1962

Robert the Rose Horse by Joan Heilbroner has such wonderful images. I love the expressiveness of Robert--particularly his eyes. The start of the story reminds me a bit of Sylvester of Magic Pebble fame or possibly of Steve Martin in The Jerk. Hmmmm.... The look on his face when the doc brings in some roses is classic. It's like he just knows what's about to happen. The illustration on the next page has him sniffing and I love the little lines around the nose that indicate that! He discovers a powerful allergy to roses and leaves his happy life on the farm to pursue work in the city where he won't be subjected to roses so often. Only in the city, they turn up more often than one might expect. It's entertaining and everything works out in the end. This book is just one of many books I have in this Random House Beginner Books series and I love them all.