Henry’s Library
Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
There’s a humor book out called Porn for Women that is just photos of men cleaning and doing the laundry and cooking (because we don’t usually do such things). It’s a one-joke book, but it’s sort of funny. Well, if someone would ever be so uncouth as to publish a book called Porn for 18-Month-Old Boys, it would look something like this. Because this is 64 pages of cars and trucks and bulldozers and ambulances and fire engines and boats and every possible thing that makes Henry happy. The best part, of course, is that Scarry had a good sense of humor for adults, so there are all these little inside jokes and things that would go over the heads of any child (whether they’re Henry’s age or 5).
I’d like to say that every Dr. Seuss (and Dr. Seuss family) book we own is a winner. Some, Henry loves. (“Wocket in My Pocket” is a winner, as is “Go, Dog, Go!”) Some, Henry just tosses away. (“Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!”) But this one clearly is his favorite. It has all the things a little boy would want in a story: drums, monkeys, and more drums. It’s also become the potty book of choice, so we distract his pooping with a little drumming. (I can’t believe I just wrote that.)
Kristen had this book as a kid (although I don’t remember it), and it’s become Henry’s go-to read right before he goes to bed. It’s a circular story about various types from Mother Goose fairy tales (plus, oddly, Robin Hood) where the person (or thing) that you have to find on the one page, becomes the main character on the next page. (For example, “Mother Hubbard in the cellar, I spy Cinderella”; “Cinderella on the stairs, I spy the Three Bears”.) Henry’s a little too young to really understand this, but it doesn’t stop him for really enjoying it. (I’m indifferent about the book, but will read whatever he brings to me. You see, he’s taken to crawling into my lap for storytime, and how am I supposed to deny him anything when he’s relaxing in my lap and I can smell his wonderful head? I’d read him “Valley of the Dolls” if it meant I could kiss the top of his noggin at will.)
Henry’s favorite book for the past couple of months has been this very simple, yet very compelling, pop-up book. It’s only 16 pages, doesn’t have a real story (other than a bit of a surprise in the last couple of pages), and doesn’t really do anything out of the ordinary pop-up wise (if you know what I mean). But it’s also a book that Henry was quickly able to master in the sense that he was able to learn to pull this tab up or that tab down or move this velcro-attached ball here or open and close those pages there (for optimal movement). It’s not a book that a parent can really get into (not like the Grover book or others), but that doesn’t really matter, does it?
The Monster at the End of This Book
Usually when Henry pulls a book down from the shelf, it requires one to read it to him 3 times before he tosses it aside and grabs another. With this one — a classic — you must read it at least 5 times. Why? Because this is one of those books with ample opportunity to make funny noises. At 13 months, Henry’s not so great at assessing the quality of story and pacing or even the art. But he does know that when Daddy says, in a gravelly, vaguely-Grover-like voice, “YOU TURNED THE PAGE!”, we’re all having fun.
