Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber

It’s rare that we do a picture book from my old Top 100 Picture Books Poll from back in 2012, but today’s the day, I guess. This book came in at #96 and reading it today I was surprised at how well it had aged in spite of its 1972 publication date. You probably know Bernard Waber best as the creator of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. Today we’re talking about Joe the Button Pusher, the Irish Republican Army, and where folks stand on the whole teddy bear issue.

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I adore the degree to which mom gets to relax in this book and just read the paper.

“Nothing matches in this house. It’s very clash-y.” This curtain thingy separating the rooms appears to also be covered in giant bacteria.

This sponge technique that Waber uses for the trees is just beautiful here. Just beautiful!

And look at that! Dad is cooking the dinner! In 1972! Sure, mom’s slicing bread but it’s dad at the stove.

The scans of actual bottle caps in this book? That’s just cool.

At this point in the proceedings, the two boys decide to play “office” with Reggie’s dad’s rubber stamps. This has led us to wonder what Reggie’s dad does for a living. Because it sure as heck looks like a depressing job.

Now here’s the fun part. Because this book made it onto my old poll, I found a bunch of odd links and clips to go with it.

Here’s a nice inside look at what went into the animated version of Ira.

There was more than one cinematic version, of course.  This one?  A little piece of the past. Practically makes me nostalgic..

The hair!  The clothes!  That’s good.  But this next clip, with its fantastically horrific premise is even better.

Sort of want to find all the episodes now. Course, I do wonder why they changed the art and text of the book. Copyright, perhaps?

Kate Recommends: The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

Betsy Recommends: The Holdovers (now streaming on Peacock)

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate