Open House for Butterflies

This was and is one of my favorite books, of childhood and adulthood! As a child I loved the idea of throwing my hat in the air when I was happy and being friendly to the butterflies, by leaving windows open for them to come and go. "Dog-dog" became a part of our household vocabulary and as a budding writier I admired (and copied) the way the author used different font sizes as emphasis for words. I still like that, and think Ruth Krauss was ahead of her time in that regard. Maurice Sendak's illustrations are, of course, delightful. As an adult rereading it, I admit to being taken aback by that one segment the one-star reviewer referred to, where it says "there are some people whose mothers you know you'll hate," but honestly...ain't that the truth?? And that didn't even register in my child-brain. More important a memory was the page describing all the different ways to say "I'm sorry." If you don't like whimsy, don't take this book. It's not meant to be a story. It's a celebration!

This is not supposed to be a storybook, it's supposed to be a child's way of looking at things, things they wonder about, you know, why wouldn't you leave the door open and invite the butterflies in for an afternoon? It's lovely and charming. Any adult who has been asked a perfectly good question by a child and can't come up with a perfectly good answer will also appreciate it.

This was my most treasured book when I was a child, and I still love it today. I very happily hung off my bedpost and cried out, "All aboard for bed!" when I was reading this book.This book is an excellent book for children of all ages, and for adults who would like to smile. I can't express how happy reading this book makes me, even 30 years after I first read it. Lots of happiness and silliness and wonderful sayings to remember. And, "Lovabye is a very good word to know."

I read this book countless times when I was a little girl, and my daughters enjoy reading my copy now. I spent many fun hours playing games similar to the children depicted in the book. I enjoyed climbing into bed and hanging from the side of the post, calling, "All aboard for bed!" each evening... This book doesn't have one simple "story" in it; it has many small pictures and sayings that relate to children and how they feel and think. (I remember as a child agreeing completely with what the children in the book said!) I cannot more highly recommend this book; it is a pure treasure. I look forward to the new addition being published, because my old copy is falling apart from so many years of loving use.

This is my favorite Bad day book on earth. to me, it represents the perfect blend of Nonsense and sensibilty, and though it may seem ridiculous, under closer scrutiny, it offers sensitive alternitives to those just a little grumpy with what everyone else is doing.