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

I bought two of these for my granddaughters because I had originally bought sets for their mothers when their mothers were little. The art work and stories are great and children love reading them over and over and over. I'm for anything that encourages a love of reading and these lovely, silly little books do just that. I highly recommend these for any young children on your gift-giving list.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Love these books!!! They are Awesome. As a senior in college about to graduate with my degree in elementary education, I was excited to find that Amazon still sold this book series. These are books that were brought up many times, in regards to children's literature, in my courses. I was disappointed to see the negative reviews commenting on how Small they are. That is the point!!! These books are made to be small on purpose! Little children have little hands, they are meant for children to hold and read on their own to enjoy. I bought these for my Niece for Christmas and cannot wait for her to read them and enjoy them. The stories are great, one teaches a lesson while the others teach reading basics like letters and numbers. Also, for those book buffs out there, it is written by Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are) and the illustrations are beautiful.

Love these stories.

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.