Play with Me

by Marie Hall Ets

A little girl goes to the meadow to play, but each animal she tries to catch runs away from her--until she sits still by the pond, and they all come back.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Nature, Friendship, Pre K

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Marie Hall Ets was an American writer and illustrator who is best known for children's picture books. She attended Lawrence College, and in 1918, Ets journeyed to Chicago where she became a social worker at the Chicago Commons, a settlement house on the northwest side of the city.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a gentle story with a sweet song to sing.

This is like a poem told. It reminds me so much of little kids. They want so bad to love and play with animals they see and they go wildly chasing after them. The animals always run away from them. This book, a little girl asks animal after animal to play with her and they hop away. She gets sad and sits down by the stream and gets quiet. Guess what happens when she got quiet.

I thought the art was a little scary and it looks quickly done. It starts off rhyming and then it loses the rhyme scheme which is ok. It is for a very young audience and honestly, I enjoyed the ending, but I did not like the experience of the book. The girl did remind me of my nephew as he chases everything, but he’s never still.

The nephew thought this was boring and gave it 2 stars. He thinks more and more stuff is boring. I guess he’s getting older. The niece thought this was not a pretty book and the story was for babies. She gave this 1 star. It was not a favorite in our house.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl tries to catch animals to make friends with them. She realises when she sits still to watch they come to her.

Beautiful illustrations and a lovely simple message of patience, respect and appreciation of nature.

Read on openlibrary.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quiet book and one to sit still with. My daughter, in particular, cherished this book as a toddler. In the midst of such bright, bold, and busy picture books as are often published these days, it seems that a quiet book about being quiet and still hit just the right note. Don't overlook this one! It's on a young child's level for sure.

[Kathryn Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-three years later, this is still the book I remember enjoying reading to my young children the most. Read it filled with expression. And now I can't wait to read it to my granddaughter.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise; just thought the execution mediocre and a little more repetitive than I liked.

Ages: 2 - 6

[Steve Rawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, this is what I listed as my favorite book, so I have to give it five stars. This story is great for reading to little kids, which is the best kind of reading there is, in my opinion (next to being a little kid and getting read to, of course). Will make you happy. The simple, happy story has just a hint of darkness to it, which will not interfere with any child's enjoyment of it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book. A little girl wants to play with the animals, but she learns that by keeping still the animals will come to her.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be perfect for the one- to two-year-old crowd. The illustrations are nicely done and expressive. The text is nicely repetitive and rhythmic.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing how much an illustrator can accomplish with so few colors.

Hmmm... could I use this to teach my squirrely girls the value of holding still?

[Hạt Tiêu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Một quyển sách đáng yêu các bố mẹ có thể đọc cho con nghe hoặc đọc cùng con (dưới 5 tuổi). Câu chuyện kể về Bé và các bạn cào cào, chim, sóc... Bé gặp và muốn các bạn cùng chơi nhưng liệu Bé có được điều mình muốn? Câu chuyện rất nhẹ nhàng dễ thương nhưng các con có thể sẽ học được những bài học thú vị như biết quan sát thiên nhiên, biết tĩnh lặng lắng nghe mọi người, biết tôn trọng không gian riêng tư, và biết kiên nhẫn đợi chờ!
Các bố mẹ có thể tham khảo các youtube đọc sách để đọc hay hơn cho con thích nhé!
https://youtu.be/lcZPJu92rYY

Chúc các bố mẹ và các bé đọc sách vui bên nhau!

[Neda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very simple, and calm narrative accompanied by simple and lovely illustrations.

[Two Hearts Homeschool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally reading through all the FIAR books I bought before I realized we were Charlotte Mason homeschoolers lol

[annalee ✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wouldn't want to play with this annoying girl either??

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet story with sweet illustrations. I want to love the story, but I live too close to Yellowstone to be able to get behind the idea of playing with all the woodland creatures.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marie Hall Ets's writing is a joy. Nine Days to Christmas: A Story of Mexico is one of my favorite Caldecott Medal winners, and Play with Me is cut from the same sweet, simple, emotionally honest cloth, capturing the special moment when a young girl realizes she doesn't have to aggressively seek out new friends; all she needs is to be herself, quiet and observant, and that will eventually bring friends to her. Nothing is more appealing than a companion who shows genuine friendliness and is no threat to others.

When a girl goes outside by herself on a lovely, warm day, she approaches several creatures to ask if they would like to play with her. She asks a grasshopper, frog, chipmunk, blue jay, rabbit, and even a snake if they'd like to play, but all of them turn and go their own way. So the girl stops asking animals to join her, and sits on her own by the pond. As the girl settles into a comfort zone being by herself, figuring out how to have a good time even without any animals to call her friends, the small creatures who had ignored her invitations earlier slowly return to where they'd been, coming closer and gathering around the girl as she quietly sits on her own by the pond. Soon, even one animal she hadn't seen watching before approaches, and offers a gesture of friendship and acceptance the girl will undoubtedly always remember. Sometimes, even when new friends are slow to come around and return our friendship, the moment when they do finally reach out in response to us can be one of the nicest of the whole relationship.

Making friends is really hard for many people, and when one's heartfelt choices for friendship all seem to scamper away in disinterest, it can feel like one has been rejected by everybody out there, like there won't be any connections made in the future, no sweetness of friendship to dull the ache of others' apathy. What this book so simply and benevolently demonstrates is that if you give it time, and allow others to come to you and see the naturally charming attributes you possess, then eventually there will be new friends to be had, and they just may come when you least expect it. When two people who have just barely been missing a connection finally find their friendship, it's a moment to be treasured.

I can see why Play with Me would have been chosen as a Caldecott Honor recipient. It's a book of thoughtfulness and relevance for all times and cultures, sincere and hopeful and perfect for young readers beginning to venture out in the world and explore the arena of friendship. I would definitely give this book two and a half stars, and I really thought about possibly rounding that rating up to three. It is with warmth and affection that I recommend Play with Me.

[Cassandra Gelvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't touch that chipmunk. You don't know where it's been.

Well, this is a weird book. The drawings are not very high quality, and seem to be stylized to appear as if they were drawn by a child, but with enough skill that you can tell the difference between characters, which is very strange. They are sketch-like and minimalist, except for the animals and girl which are colorized.

Basically, the story is a little girl goes out to the meadow and sees a bunch of animals and insects, and keeps going up to them and asking if they want to play, but they run away when she gets closer. Among other things, she approaches birds, rabbits, and a snake. Then at the end, she sits down, very still, and all the animals come up to her. A fawn comes out of the bushes to lick her on the cheek. On the last page, she is sitting on the edge of a pond, surrounded by animals that are just chilling with her. It's kind of weird and looks disturbing, because she's maybe 6 or 8 years old, without supervision, next to a snake... Who knows what other creatures could be lurking in the bushes other than that fawn? Bears? Foxes? Something dangerous could be out there. That snake could be a garter snake, but it could be poisonous.

So, yeah. This is just a weird book. It kind of looks like it was drawn by someone in the process of learning to draw. I guess the message is, sit still and be quiet, and forest creatures will approach you? I'm not sure whether that would be advisable, because maybe that chipmunk had rabies. Maybe the snake wants to eat the grasshopper. Or the frog wants to. Or the bluejay wants to. Maybe the snake wants to eat the frog. This book is not to be confused with the myriad other children's books called "Play With Me", nor the rather adult ones out there by the same title.

Message: Sit still and be quiet, and forest creatures will approach you.

Fore more children's book reviews, see my website at http://www.drttmk.com.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl just wants someone to play with, but the animals won’t let her get close enough. Only when she sits down quietly is she able to get them to come to her. This is a gentler and less exuberant version of a similar story told in Ets’s earlier title, In the Forest. I like the illustrations - especially the little girl’s realistic child-like movements, her changing facial expressions, and her reflection in the pond. The story is pretty simple and tame, but it’s the kind of book I would have liked as a kid. I also think this one would work as a flannel board for my toddler groups.

Though both of my girls have been enjoying this 1956 Caldecott Honor picture book about a little girl who pleads with different animals to play with her, it has become a particular favorite of Bo Peep (19 mos.) She brings it to me frequently, eager to hop into my lap and enjoy a few pages. The full story seems to be a bit too long for what she is willing to tolerate, but we've made it a quarter of the way through a few times. She seems to especially like the frog and turtle. (This review appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.)

[Slytano · Rating 2 out of 5]

LOLOLOLOLOL at this book. It won a Caldecott Honor and it has maybe three colors: white, yellow, and brighter yellow. Seriously, I could have drawn better pictures than this when I was in the third grade. Oh, bygone days of the fifties...I SIT IN JUDGEMENT UPON YOU.

Anyway, this is a nice little story about a girl that wants to play with animals but they all run away from her. Eventually, they return and play with her.

One of the animals she wanted to play with was a snake.

WAS THERE NOTHING BETTER FOR A YOUNG GIRL TO DO IN 1955 THAN PLAY WITH SNAKES?

I gave this book two stars and I regret giving that many.

this review was awesome.

[Erika Gilfether · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very simple story of a girl walking through the woods asking various animals to play with her. They each run away scared and by the end she has decided to just sit quietly and watch a stream. The animals are eventually attracted to her quiet spot and come to her. Its a perfect entry into conversations about how and when to enter play. This book was published in 1955 - clearly an older book and looks it. However, the girls' motivations are so crystal clear and timeless that any sense of datedness is quickly set aside by that young 3's strong desire to understand what makes someone want to play with you or not.

[Eugenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

NY, Puffin, 1955
Even though this is a much older picture book, I found it sweet and appealing. The theme here is about patience and nature. In exploring the woods a little girl wants to interact with the wildlife. She learns at the end that by being very quiet and patient the animals will come out of hiding. I would use this as a picture book for kindergarten and first grade. The repetitive text is nice for pulling students in to contribute. I would have them notice the different animals as they reappear. I would ask questions at the end about where each creature hid; great for comprehension and listening skills.

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story with some repetitive text throughout the beginning or the story. A little girl is in a meadow and finds different animals. As she goes to each animal to play with it, it goes away. After all have been chased away, she sits down by the pond. Before she knows they all come out and sit with her. She sits still as can be as to not frighten them.

The illustrations are sketched with black and fillies in with greens and yellows. It's simple, but matches the tone of the story perfectly. Younger children will like the familiar text and to guess which animal will be next. Great bedtime story.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little girl approaches many forest animals asking them if they will play with her and they all walk, jump, slither, fly etc. away. When the girl sits quietly beside the pond they all come back. A simple story with a simple framework and line drawings with shading and some color highlights on the animals. The girl is featured with an apricot skintone and blond hair. I liked looking for the sun in each picture. It seemed to follow her through the book and it's gaze was always warm and friendly.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I was not impressed by this book. I know little kid's books are supposed to be repetitive so they can learn, but this book just got annoying. I also didn't like the illustrations. The book won a 1956 Caldecott Honor, but the selections that year weren't the best, in my opinion. The story is about a little girl who wants to play with the animals of the forest, but every time she approaches them, they run away. It's not until she settles down and is quiet that they all come back. Recommended for ages 2-6, 2 stars.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl tries to get various critters to play with her, but they all run away. That is until she sits down and holds still, then she finds the animals coming back to join her in her quietness.

Some of these older Caldecott winners and honor books can be quite odd and/or not translate well, but the concept in this one is pretty timeless. We've all seen and been the child trying to get the fascinating wild creature to come closer. The illustrations are simple, but not uninviting. I can see some kids today still enchanted by this little girl's encounter with animals.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 1956 Caldecott Honor Book •

This is a sweet little book about a little girl who wants to play with animals like a turtle, snake, chipmunk, etc. but when she gets too close they run away. But when she sits really still and quiet they come up to her and want to play. I like the illustrations but didn’t love them. The girl’s face was a tad creepy to me, and the lurking sun didn’t help. I liked how the animals were illustrated though.

Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: Foundry Stellar Light

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had an almost sad beginning, I felt sorry for the little girl who just wanted someone to play with but all the animals were running away. Don't worry though, the book had a very happy ending, one that was sweet and made you smile. The illustrations were a little lacking, but I'd probably still recommend this book.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Caldecott Honor Award winning story book. And an old one at that. I definitely didn't want to like this one. It is clearly showing it's age. From it's art to it's text, to even the repeatedness of the text. But the story wins out. A modern version of this would be even better. But still it captures a curious young girl at play outside. And has a certain calmness to it. As well as scientific observer's eye.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and gentle little story about a girl who learns that being quiet and still is the best way to observe and enjoy wildlife. After running toward small animals or attempting to catch them, our narrator is saddened to see each one become frightened and run away. However, when she just sits quietly by the pond, life begins to re-emerge and she learns an important lesson that day.
Nice story to share to teach kids kind ways to appreciate wildlife!

[Laura5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not particularly fond of the illustration of the girl's face in the story, or the fact that every page illustration had the same compositional feel.
However I enjoyed the repetition/pattern to the story. My 2.5 year old really enjoyed reading with me.

http://liblaura5.blogspot.com/2012/06...

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an example of a book I loved as a child but can't imagine a child loving today. A young girl is lonely and looking for a playmate. She asks all the creatures she meets in a field but they'll run away from her. Her loneliness is palpable; will she ever make a connection? The illustrations are pencil against a light yellow wash.