If you and/or your baby are ever in Kansas City, I highly recommend visiting the Rabbit Hole Children's Book Museum which features a larger-than-life Great Green Room. Visitors must remove their shoes before entering, which solidifies the impression of standing on holy ground.
I was so overawed that I bought a bandana from the gift shop, which I have never once used but don't for an instant regret buying. It is bright yellow and green striped, matches nothing in my closet, and says "I went to the Great Green Room".
I determined I was reading board books like this one to my son too exuberantly about 11 years ago when I turned to him at my side and saw that he looked blown back like the guy in the Maxell tape ads. My bad
Oh my goodness. I always love learning what Rocco is up to, and to learn that the kid is already a close reader and appreciator of words and art like their papa? Heaven.
I don’t know if you are aware….USPS is releasing a first class letter stamp in 2025. There is not a specific date yet. You can see a picture of it on post office website or just do a search….I’ll be using it even though my grandchildren are all between 18 and 21 years of age, Sounds like you have a budding write or reader in your family. Enjoy. It goes by quickly.
This is a masterpiece of literary criticism. My toddler used to scream “MOOOOON!” like a deranged cultist every time we reached the cover, and then descend into open combat around the mush page. “Goodnight nobody” always got a reverent pause from me — like a philosophical bow to the void. Thank you for elevating bedtime chaos into something sacred and hilarious.
My 3-year-old just walked by while I was reading this and whispered “hush” to no one in particular. Which means I’ve failed at many things, but not that. Also fully agree that “goodnight nobody” is weirdly profound. That page always feels like a little metaphysical curveball Margaret Wise Brown slipped in just for the adults. Bravo to Rocco for having excellent taste in both kittens and chaos.
This is so soothing to read. So many times I bought books with high expectations of gleam from the youngster. In retrospect - who was I kidding. Nice piece
I’d be jealous that you had an easy-sleeping newborn, but I’m actually just glad that the “put your baby down drowsy but awake” advice works for somebody. I’d hate to think it was based on nonsense or dreamed up just as a cruel joke to play on parents with a baby like mine was. Your kid sounds adorable, and your post made me smile.
Cincinnati also has a replica Great Green Room - at Blue Marble Books in Fort Thomas. It's super magical to bring a kid into their book. Right up there with putting the book of The Grinch on the table and the cartoon of The Grinch on the TV and watching a toddler put it together while their head explodes with possibility.
If you and/or your baby are ever in Kansas City, I highly recommend visiting the Rabbit Hole Children's Book Museum which features a larger-than-life Great Green Room. Visitors must remove their shoes before entering, which solidifies the impression of standing on holy ground.
I was so overawed that I bought a bandana from the gift shop, which I have never once used but don't for an instant regret buying. It is bright yellow and green striped, matches nothing in my closet, and says "I went to the Great Green Room".
I determined I was reading board books like this one to my son too exuberantly about 11 years ago when I turned to him at my side and saw that he looked blown back like the guy in the Maxell tape ads. My bad
One of the best book reviews ever!
Now I’m sleepy….the book works.
You might like this close reading of Goodnight Moon from picture book geniuses Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett: https://open.substack.com/pub/lookingatpicturebooks/p/goodnight-moon?r=isez&utm_medium=ios
Oh my goodness. I always love learning what Rocco is up to, and to learn that the kid is already a close reader and appreciator of words and art like their papa? Heaven.
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
I don’t know if you are aware….USPS is releasing a first class letter stamp in 2025. There is not a specific date yet. You can see a picture of it on post office website or just do a search….I’ll be using it even though my grandchildren are all between 18 and 21 years of age, Sounds like you have a budding write or reader in your family. Enjoy. It goes by quickly.
I needed to read this today. Rocco gives me hope for the future.
This is a masterpiece of literary criticism. My toddler used to scream “MOOOOON!” like a deranged cultist every time we reached the cover, and then descend into open combat around the mush page. “Goodnight nobody” always got a reverent pause from me — like a philosophical bow to the void. Thank you for elevating bedtime chaos into something sacred and hilarious.
My 3-year-old just walked by while I was reading this and whispered “hush” to no one in particular. Which means I’ve failed at many things, but not that. Also fully agree that “goodnight nobody” is weirdly profound. That page always feels like a little metaphysical curveball Margaret Wise Brown slipped in just for the adults. Bravo to Rocco for having excellent taste in both kittens and chaos.
This is so soothing to read. So many times I bought books with high expectations of gleam from the youngster. In retrospect - who was I kidding. Nice piece
awwwwwww so sweet!
I’d be jealous that you had an easy-sleeping newborn, but I’m actually just glad that the “put your baby down drowsy but awake” advice works for somebody. I’d hate to think it was based on nonsense or dreamed up just as a cruel joke to play on parents with a baby like mine was. Your kid sounds adorable, and your post made me smile.
My three-year-old still giggles when he hears “goodnight mush.”
Cincinnati also has a replica Great Green Room - at Blue Marble Books in Fort Thomas. It's super magical to bring a kid into their book. Right up there with putting the book of The Grinch on the table and the cartoon of The Grinch on the TV and watching a toddler put it together while their head explodes with possibility.
Beautiful