Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop

by Kitty Crowther, Claudia Zoe Bedrick (Translator)

Every evening the sun sets over the pond. And every evening, Jeremy feels afraid. Dad reads him a story and Mom comes to give him his goodnight hugs and kisses, but once they've left, he begins to hear terrible noises under his bed. Scritch scratch scraww plop. . . . What can it be? Kitty Crowther was born in Brussels and lives in Wallonia, Belgium. She has created over forty books, many of which have been translated into other languages. In 2010, Crowther won the most prestigious award for children's the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Belgian, Family

34 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2002

About the author

b. 1970

Kitty Crowther developed a love for books in early childhood, due in part to the fact that she was born with a hearing defect that delayed her speaking until the age of four. Her dossier provides this comment on her work: "Kitty's style speaks for itself. A simple, pure line, a light stroke that creates movement, that traces emotion, that touches the heart. Characters are drawn with a few, clear pen strokes and are revealed subtly. 'I'm fascinated by movement, the line that trembles, that is agitated, hard, soft.' This young woman is not interested in reproducing reality. She is concerned much more with reinventing experience. As she searches for meaning and for accuracy, she does not allow herself to be distracted by the gaze of others. 'I am not a fan of drawing only after painstaking sketching. I prefer to draw a gesture or an attitude that I recall from memory. I trust my visual memory. I try to be true to myself. Everything that I put in my books comes from experiences that have touched me profoundly. I try to recreate this special energy as closely as possible because it is beautiful. Restoring things because they are pretty does not have meaning for me. I live what I draw."

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about fear of bedtime and night noises felt a bit slight to me, and I wasn't wild about either the illustration style or the title. I'm pretty sure also that's I've already read some earlier, better picture book about a parent teaching a child to not near the dark by taking him or her outside to see what is making the night noises... Hmm, I feel like I'm talking myself into lowering this rating. But there wasn't anything particularly wrong with the book, it was just a bit weak.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little frog is terrified by a nighttime noise until his patient father shows him that noises can be comforting, as well as scary.

The story here is sweet enough, but I was annoyed by the fact that the frogs wade around in water within their house, yet wear pajamas. Do they like sleeping in wet clothes?

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every evening, as bedtime approached, Jeremy the frog was afraid. Although his father always read him a story, and his mother tucked him in and gave him a kiss, he knew that eventually he would be alone in the dark, alone with the inevitable sounds - Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop! - that seemed to haunt his nights. Fleeing his frightening solitude for the safety of his parents' bed one night, Jeremy is twice returned to his own room by his father. When his third effort finds him taken in by his mother, his father decides to sleep in Jeremy's room himself, only to discover that he too is disturbed by the many sounds. Together father and son set out to investigate what is creating this Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop...

Originally published in French as Scritch Scratch dip capote!, this charming Belgian children's book from Kitty Crowther, winner of the 2010 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, takes the classic childhood theme of bedtime terrors, and goes in a slightly different direction. The frightening sounds that Jeremy hears turn out to be real, rather than imagined, and they seem to discompose his father as well. But their source - the creatures who live in the river on whose banks the frogs' house is built - proves to be less fearsome than first supposed. In fact, with knowledge comes appreciation, and Jeremy concludes that he is no longer afraid of the dark. This is the first of Crowther's titles that I have been able to obtain, and I am glad to have read it. A solidly engaging bedtime tale, one featuring appealing illustrations that merge natural and anthropomorphic elements - the frogs live in a house, but it is water-logged, with river-water running along the floors - and a sweet story of a boy, his fears and his family, Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop! is a book I would recommend to those looking for stories about overcoming nighttime fears.

[Gijs Grob · Rating 5 out of 5]

'In het pikkedonker' is een veel helderder verhaaltje dan het wat enigmatische 'Kleine Man en God', maar het werkt als kinderboek waarschijnlijk veel beter. het prentenboekje verhaalt over de kleine kikker Jeroen die niet kan slapen omdat hij de geheimzinnige geluiden 'krits krats piep plats' hoort... Deze geluiden vormen ook de oorspronkelijke titel van het boek en gezien de belangrijke rol die ze spelen in het verhaal is het merkwaardig dat het boek vertaald is als 'In het pikkedonker'.

Enfin, 'In het pikkedonker' kan niet anders dan een prachtboek zijn om voor te lezen voor het slapengaan. Er straalt een enorme geborgenheid uit het boek, maar dat weerhoudt Crowthes niet van expressionistische tekeningen die Jeroens angst goed verbeelden. Vooral het plaatjes met de teksten 'wat is dát?' en 'Jeroen is weer alleen, helemaal alleen' zijn prachtig.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

#fear #trouble_sleeping lovely tale of a little frog unable to sleep and how the family resolves it by investigating the noises at night

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This straightforward story about a young frog's fear of the dark is not very notable but is likely to appeal to some children. While reminiscent of the Froggy books (Jonathan London), Crowther's illustrations are much more rudimentary. Translated from French. For preschoolers.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Open Library.

[Anne with Violets · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I thought this was going to be a standard bedtime story about a little boy who keeps coming to his mom and dad's bed to tell them he's scared of the sounds he hears in the dark, the sounds that spark his imagination. I thought, "Well, it's going to be a story about a little boy who plays with the imaginary animal that made those sounds for a while and then goes to sleep." But it's not.

But the story goes a little differently. A father and son venture out into the darkness outside their home to find out who is making the noises. The night is spent with the characters who were making the noises in the dark. Now, every night, the son sleeps peacefully because every time he hears a noise in the dark, he's reminded of that happy night. And his father will sleep soundly.

I remember when I was a kid, falling asleep at night with a frog singing under my blanket. I miss it.

[Monserrat Fuentealba Rivero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es buen libro para para enseñarle a los niños que el miedo en normal, y que siempre hay una explicación lógica detrás de las causas ,como por ejemplo cuando Jeremy descubrió que el sonido que lo aterrorizaba todas la noche era causado por cosas tan comunes que también sucedían en el día, como el pez saltando sobre el agua o el ave en el cielo. Gracias a la paleta de colores e ilustraciones genera sentimientos de miedo para el niño y le de curiosidad por trata de se saber que es el ruido al cual le teme Jeremy, como por ejemplo cuando el sapo esta solo en su habitación imaginando el "monstruo bajo su cama".

[Arnela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute story about a young frog that's scared of the dark, and a weird noise that keeps him up at night.

The art is simple and sweet, having that drawn by a child quality, with wooden pencil coloration.

It's a good story teaching kids that being scared is normal, that you should always seek out help no matter what someone says if it still feels off, and that sometimes the things that seem or sound spooky are just regular things who's noises are coming together to sound weird.

[Guinevere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been reading this book to my daughter for over a week. We checked out from the library. I love the fact that the dad is the hero that helps the son patiently overcome his night time fears. It is a very loving story.

[bookblast official · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop! takes Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Jeremy Fisher as its inspirational starting point.

Reviewed on The BookBlast® Diary 2017

[Sippy · Rating 1 out of 5]

tsja... not impressed...

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how much I would like this one, but the ending is so sweet.

[Lina Ydrefelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Klassisk Kan inte sova-saga.

[Frans Kempe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fin bok om att sova

[Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

sobre els sorolls i les pors durant la nit

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy doesn't like the dark. So when bedtime comes, he is just fine as he gets ready for bed. He's happy when his father reads him a bedtime story and his mother comes in for a final hug and kiss. But once he is left alone in the dark in bed, he hears something. It's a "scritch scratch scraww plop" and Jeremy is fairly sure that it is some sort of monster in his room. He goes to tell his father, but his father just moves him back to bed. Eventually after being unable to sleep after several tries, Jeremy climbs in bed with his parents. His father can't sleep then, and goes to sleep in Jeremy's room. And that is when he hears a "scritch scratch scraww plop!" He heads back to get Jeremy and the two of them go outside together to figure out what is making that noise.

Crowther takes a universal situation of being scared of the dark and places a lovely natural twist at the end. The fact that Jeremy is not making up or imagining the scary noise he is hearing is central to the story. Reading this book aloud is a treat with the "scritch scratch scraww plop" offering a great opportunity to add a little shiver into the room. The design of the book is old-fashioned and warm. I immediately thought of Jeremy Fisher by Beatrix Potter when I opened the book. The clear celebration of nature at the end of the book is a strong way to finish on a high note.

Crowther's art is done in discrete panels on each page adding to the vintage feel. The art itself is jaunty and friendly. The pools of water on the floor that make up their carpet is funny and the real darkness on the page done in black is deep and adds to the scary feel when Jeremy is alone.

This import from Belgium will be welcomed as a bedtime story for those who have their own monsters and scary noises to deal with at night. It may also invite exploration out into yards and gardens to discover what is making those noises. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Holly Scudero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy is afraid of the dark and has a hard time sleeping alone, so a series of strange noises in the night sends him back to his parents’ bed over and over again. His dad repeatedly downplays the noises until he hears them for himself, and then it’s up to the two frogs to solve the mystery of the mysterious noises together.

Author and illustrator Kitty Crowther has been creating picture books for children for many years, and her latest, “Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop!” is certain to be well-loved by youngsters and parents everywhere. Fear of the dark, especially of the strange sounds heard at nighttime, happens to many children at some point in time or another, and Crowther delves into this topic with understanding and empathy. Children will identify with Jeremy’s need to stretch bedtime out as long as possible, as well as the way he feels most secure when nestled into bed beside his parents. Parents will see themselves in those extra hugs and kisses, the mild exasperation over repeated trips back to bed. Crowther’s illustrations stand out from the bright colors and smooth lines so prevalent in many modern children’s books; hers are pencil drawings that add extra depth to the emotions of the story, with colors that truly capture the scenes. This is a fun book that may be helpful to families everywhere that struggle with fear of the dark.

(Review originally written for San Francisco Book Review.)

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this import from France and Belgium, Jeremy dreads going to bed because of the scary noises he hears in his bedroom. Although his parents provide lots of reassurance at bedtime, still, once he is alone, he hears those sounds and becomes frightened. Both parents comfort him at night when he wakes them up, but still, he crawls into bed between them. After his restless father tries to sleep in his son's bed, he, too, hears the noises, and decides to investigate. Once he and Jeremy have identified the sounds of nature, both of them are able to rest more easily. The simple story is one with which youngsters will be able to relate, and the colorful illustrations, surrounded by a great deal of white space, have appeal for young eyes. This title has uses for alleviating fears of those night sounds that seem so scary when someone is all alone.

[CzytaNika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polski tytuł tej książki "Szur szur ćwir plum".
Opowieść o tym, jak mały żabek Tymek bał się sam spać. Gdy po wieczornych całuskach z mamą i czytankach z tatą zostawał sam jego wyobraźnia podpowiadała mu straszne obrazy. Do tego były one potęgowane właśnie "szur szur ćwir plum", które ktoś...
Nie będę opowiadała całej historyjki. Moja trzyletnia córka ją uwielbia. Czytałam jej kilkanaście razy i przyznam, że zapowiadają się kolejne.
Mnie podobają się ilustarcje. Opowiedziana w niej historia pozwala oswoić nocne strachy i pokazuje bliskość i miłość w rodzinie.
Zdecydowanie polecam!
#dwiesiostry #wydawnictwodwiesiostry #dladzieci #czytamksiazkidladzieci #hereandnow #KittyCrowther

[Marta Timbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle, sweet story about a little frog who is afraid of what makes noise under his bed until he and his father discover what it really is. Beautiful illustrations but small in size. Perfect for one-on-one time with a little one.

[Paulina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy divertido y los dibujos hermosos.

[madziar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mała żabka nie może zasnąć, bo wciąż słyszy tajemnicze "szur szur ćwir plum!"

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little frog is afraid of the noises he hears in the dark.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing how true and realistic this feels even with frog characters. A great book about fear of night.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little frog with fear of the dark is comforted by his mother. Simple and perfectly relatable. Belgian import.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theme: Frogs, family, afraid of the dark

[Tegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little book about facing your fears!

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy is afraid of the dark when he goes to bed. He hears scritch scratch scraww plop sounds coming from under his bed.