A HOLE IS TO DIG

When a book of imaginative nature such as this comes along, we get all excited, expect it to be top flight. Though the definitions in this "First Book of Definitions" may bring a few squeals of delight from the young mind making its first associations between the things he knows and what they make him think about- they are not up to the level of warmth and humor of Ruth Krauss' other work. Attractively laid out, each small page has on it one or two phrases- each accompanied by the miniscule drawings of Maurice Sendak reminiscent of the old British picture books. The funniest definition: "Hunh! Rugs are so dogs have napkins". An ordinary definition, and there are a lot like this one: "A mountain is to go to the top". One that calls for a mental leap: "A principal is to take out splinters". A just plain silly one: "Little stones are for little children to gather up and put in little piles". Lastly, some imaginative ones, and these will set kids smiling and perhaps thinking up a whole lot of their own: A castle is to build in the sand", "A hat is to wear on the train", "Eyebrows are to go over your eyes", "Buttons are to keep people warm". They are cute and they are thought provoking. What they should be is more thought provoking.