Some Things Go Together

by Charlotte Zolotow, Ashley Wolff (Illustrator)

Illustrations accompany couplets describing things that go together naturally, such as "Sand with sea" and especially "you with me".

New (third) illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Charlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pairing things together like you with me and me with you, this is a sweet little story poem that could have been a board book.

[Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read an early edition of this book from the library; and I would like to browse the book with the newer illustrations. This version is pretty small, so the pictures wouldn't work well for a large audience. The ryhming text is sweet and delicious though. A little boy explores all the "things that go together." Examples: "Hats with heads/Pillows with bed/Franks with beans/Kings with queens." "Franks with beans" probably being my favorite. Recommended in Under the Chinaberry Tree in the section on poetry and imagination.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites. I have a different edition than pictured here - illustrated by Karen Gundersheimer.

5* art
5* poem

An example of how some children's books are simply perfection. I know this is a spoiler, but I am going to include the poem because it is wonderful.

Some Things Go Together

"Peace with dove
Home with love
Gardens with flowers
Clocks with hours
Moths with screen
Grass with green
Leaves with tree
and you with me

Witch with broom
Bowl with spoon
Mountains with high
Birds with fly
Pigeons with park
Stars with dark
Sand with sea
and you with me

Music with dance
Horses with prance
Hats with heads
Pillows with beds
Franks with beans
Kings with queens
Lions with zoo
and me with you

White with snow
Wind with blow
Moon with night
Sun with light
Sky with blue
AND ME WITH YOU!"

As you can imagine, there is an illustration for each line - which makes this book the perfect partnership of artist and author.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sweetly told, love-affirming book that I would give a place in my personal library any time. Charlotte Zolotow does this kind of writing very well: It's notably short, emphasizes the gentle warmth of the pictures, and the sparse text embeds itself inside the reader's heart with an easy, comfortable touch. Whether the reader is a small child or a bit older than that, the message of Some Things Go Together is one that will settle deep inside and remind them that when you love someone, you belong with them.

[Courtney Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet.

[Sydney McClure · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, rhyming book with lots of illustrations. It just talks about different things that go together such as moon with night. This is a good book for getting children to listen.

[Allie]

Sweet rhyming poem with some clear + abstract pairings.

[Alyssa]

This book would really help kids identify what kinds of things go together. It helps with comprehension and understanding. I really liked it. And it rhymed which is another plus.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, Alice, for sharing your book with me.

[K Morlando · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice rhyming book

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alissa says: Milk goes with breast.

[Kylie Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book for toddlers beginning to understand relationships that exist between objects in the world

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good one for a one-year-old.

[Anne White · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the favourite Zolotow books here when my oldest was small.