Betsy's question, walking into this podcast, was to figure out whether or not this book has anything to actually say to the 21st century child. Is it still pertinent or is it like some kind of archaic Kids Say the Darndest Things? Betsy and Kate talk about the historical view of American childhood and how it might have affected this book's popularity in certain decades. As you might expect, the book also causes them to get a little philosophical at times. "This is like Schrödinger's 's Cat. The hole both is and is not there when the digging takes place. Right. Okay. As long as we're clear. This is complex physics." Kate discovers that the absolute best way to read this book from 1952 is as a Beatnik. Oh, and I hope you like terrible terrible British accents, because we have lots and loads to give when quoting a discussion of The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

Show Notes:

The Ruth Krauss book coming out later this year is Roar Like a Dandelion, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier.

We would be amiss in not mentioning, once again, the invaluable Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children's Literature: http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1541

Here is a Kirkus Review A Hole Is to Dig that isn't really enamored of the text: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ruth-krauss/a-hole-is-to-dig/

For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/17/fuse-8-n-kate-a-hole-is-to-dig-by-ruth-krauss-ill-maurice-sendak/