1990 The Nutshell Library - Maurice Sendak (Collins) 4 x Miniature Books Small Boxset of hardbacks with jackets. Slight fading to spines but books bright.
First, a note: The Nutshell Library was originally published in 1962 by HarperCollins, and the 1990 Collins edition is a reprint of the classic 4-volume boxed set of miniature books, all written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Here’s its synopsis:
This pint-sized library contains four pocket-sized books perfect for small hands, blending whimsy, rhyme, and life lessons:
• Alligators All Around: An alphabet book where silly alligators demonstrate each letter with playful actions (e.g., "A alligator eating apples").
• Chicken Soup with Rice: A rhyming celebration of the months of the year, following a child who enjoys chicken soup in different ways through each season.
• One Was Johnny: A counting book about a boy named Johnny whose quiet day is interrupted by a series of visitors, from one fly to ten cats.
• Pierre: A cautionary tale in rhyme about a boy who always says "I don’t care" – until a lion eats him. He’s eventually rescued, and learns the importance of caring.
With Sendak’s distinctive, expressive illustrations and lyrical text, the set is a beloved classic that appeals to both children and adults, perfect for sharing aloud or for young readers to explore on their own.
Would you like to know more about how these stories were adapted into the 1975 TV special Really Rosie with music by Carole King?
