Picture book of the Month: I'll Be You and You Be Me

September 2005

I'll be You and You be Me

By MRuth Krauss

Illustrated by Maurice Sendak

Publisher: Michael di Capua Books, 40 pages

You know how thrilling love at first sight is? That was how I felt when I opened the book – and promptly fell deeply in love with it.

Its great charm is that the text sounds like Krauss is repeating verbatim the words of children: “Love is the same as like – only you spell it different – only more of the same, sort of – Love has more stuff in it!”

And, of course, Sendak’s pictures! Drawn entirely in fine black ink, there’s a spontaneous, doodly air about them, and a tremendous sense of mischief and fun about his rendering of little people. One can’t help but exclaim, “Cute!” and, “How sweet!” Truly, this is a very cute and sweet book, but not in a sickly, icky way.

It’s about friendship and love, and the funny little scraps kids get into. And it’s also about how children see the world – with imagination and honesty and the best sense of humour. “You look just like an elephant,” says a little girl to her friend. “Oh, thank you very much!” comes the gracious and delighted (and delightful) reply.

“I think I’ll grow up to be a bunny before I grow up to be a lady,” says another tiny tot, to which a little lad responds, “I think I’ll grow up to be a steam-shovel.” This is just one of the many instances when the book made me laugh out loud. My eight-year-old enjoys the humour too and I think so will all children (and adults) who enjoy letting their imagination run havoc.

I’ll Be You and You Be Me goes straight to the top of my “must have” list.

Comments

[Kevin]

Hi, thank you very much for your recommendation, my son loves the book!! It took me about few weeks to search around the book in our local bookstore- Kino, Borders (Times), Borders (IKANO)... but with no luck. And finally my friend directed me to get the book from a local children book club - caterpillarhouse.com , and receive the book within 1 day!!Just in time to give as the birthday present for my son and he loves it, becos he is the Maurice Sendak's fen...