100 books I keep on keeping: What Do You Do, Dear & What Do You Say, Dear

[scripsi]

I feel a need to revisit my childhood favourites in my 100 books right now. Perhaps not so strange, all things considered.

When I was about twenty-five I was browsing a bookstore, coming across a great big stack of picture books. As soon as i saw them, I was flooded with memories of reading just those books as a small child. I had loved them, but somehow they got lost, and they were forgotten. Reading them brought back all the joy I always felt as a child when I looked in those books. If I need an instant gush of happiness, I go and pick one of them up.



As you see this is really two books, but I always see them as a whole. What Do You Do, Dear and What Do You say, Dear were written by Sesyle Joslin and illustrated by Maurice Sendak in the early 60’s. In truth I love basically everything Sendak has ever illustrated, especially Where the Wild Things Are, but these two book on manners and proper conduct, will always be my favourite.

The concept is simple, someone is presented with a problem, and the authorial voice ask what do do, or say, and on the next page, we’ll get the answer. But the problem is always absurd, often fantastical, and the protagonists, a boy and a girl, are clearly dressed up, and even for a small child it’s obvious that even a potentially dangerous situation, are just make believe.



And when the young lady you are making walk the plank waves good-bye, and drops her handkerchief. What do you do, dear? We'll, pick it up for her, of course!



Or what you do when a villain captures you in a library.

Comments

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

These books are delightful!

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Completely!

[bunn.livejournal.com]

'when a villain captures you in a library.' :-DDDD

It had never occurred to me that this might be a situation where there was a protocol! Brilliant.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Now you know and won't have to worry about what to do when it happens. No more sleepless nights! :D

[liadt]

Lol, being interrupted by villains is always a worry in a library;p

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Indeed! But now you know what to do! ;)

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Those books look adorable!

A few years ago, a friend gifted me a copy of Harold and the Purple Crayon. I'd never read it and it's most definitely a children's book but it was such a good read, even as an adult! I go back and re-read it every now and then, when I need a boost :-)

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

They are!

I never read the book you mention, but I know exactly what you mean! :)

[keli]

Those look so familiar! I almost think I read those when I was little!

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Not unlikely. :) I think Sendak always was way more popular in USA than he was in Sweden.

[double_dutchess]

Oh, I remember reading those when I was a kid! That is, I had completely forgotten about them until your post reminded me.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Glad to remind you! :)

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar with those, but the illustrations are delightful.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

They are. But then I Think Sendak's illustrations usually are. :)