You're Just What I Need *originally published as The Bundle Book

by Ruth Krauss

As a child hides beneath a blanket, Mother playfully wonders if the hidden bundle could be anything she needs

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family

Unknown Binding

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

Ruth Ida Krauss was an American writer of children's books, including The Carrot Seed, and of theatrical poems for adult readers.

Reviews

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

My youngest has very strong opinions about book covers. There are some books I sit down to read with her and she outright refuses for the simple fact that the cover just isn't attractive to her. But as soon as she saw me flipping through the pages on my own, and wow'ing over the message, she said she'd like to read it with me. It's a sweet story of a mother playing a game with her child -- the youngster is hiding under a bundle of covers and the mother is pretending to not know what is under the covers. CUTE! While this story was recently republished, I saw that the original publication date was from 1998. For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Jaylynn Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're Just What I Need" is a children's picture book that is very heart warming. It is a story about a mother and a daughters game of hiding under a blanket. One morning a mother sees a strange bundle under the blankets on her bed. As she wonders aloud what it might be--a monkey? A bundle of carrots? Or Humpty-Dumpty?--the bundle proclaims "No, no, no, no, NO!" until finally she reveals itself: "It's ME!" cries the little toddler.
The mother's silly guesses about what could be under the blanket and the toddlers responses are fun and enjoyable for little children. At the end of the story, the "lump" is the little girl and the mother says that she is "just what I need".
The cover alone, a touching portrait of mother and child, makes this book stand out from others on the shelf. The rich pastel colors are as warm and inviting as the chenille bedspread under which the child hides.
Children will love this book and want you to read it over and over again...I know mine do.

[Cortney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It captures a mother’s experience in a snapshot of a sweet and tender moment. It is one that both children and parents will love to read again and again.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl hides under a blanket while her mother tries to guess what is under the blanket. The story is ok, but the illustrations are really lovely!

[Brittnee Pettie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comments: Ruth Krauss’ “You’re Just What I Need” is hands-down, one of the BEST children’s books any adult could read; it very well may be a book written for children, with adults especially in mind. From the gorgeous, life-like illustrations to the taunting nature of the written text, this is a book sure to captivate the imagination of children and the hearts of parents, from beginning to end. The book is simple yet intriguing as it follows Mother and “Bundle” through a morning melee of storybook characters and laundry baskets full of uncertain blankets and bundles of surprise. With the illustrious handy work of artist Julia Noonan, Krauss brings to life a unique game of hide-and-seek, shared between none other than mother and child.

Age Suitability: 4+

Summary: A playful and endearing story of an unlikely, early-morning encounter. Mother is sweet and attentive, and encourages the use of imagination within her little “Bundle”. A great book for a day spent inside.

Quote: “Then up popped a head from the bundle and yelled, “It’s ME!”


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[Cassandra Ball · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that this book are really cute and captured the playful game that sometimes parents and children will play with each other. The pictures were really pretty and the artwork I thought was very well done. However, there was one thing which really annoyed me about this book and it was one phrase that the mother would use. She would say, "I think I don't need". That phrase drove me crazy because it just doesn't sound right and when reading the book out loud it does not roll off the tongue easily. Another thing that bothered me was the fact that the mother had pig-tails. I thought that it made her look too childish and not enough like a mother. It was a cute book, not great but cute.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child hides in a bundle on the bed, and mom tries to guess what might be in there. I'm not crazy about the illustrations in this book, and the text is much sweeter and less unique than the other Krauss books mentioned here. It's still a cute mother/child story, sure to attract the attention of parents, if not kids, but I much prefer the old-fashioned looking Krauss books.

[Deborah Harris]

Just What I Need is a great story for predicting. Pre-K, K, or First grade. I like the word repetition, with some structure variation. Easy for a beginning reader to successfully read. This story is filled with periods, question marks, and exclamation points so you can talk about the different types of sentences.

[Marguarite Markley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think little ones would like this story at bedtime. Illustrations are pretty. And the game of "what's under the blanket" is absolutely something that most moms do with their children.

Charming, relatable, a good read.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this little board book, the reader will see a mother wondering what is under a blanket. She guesses many things and finally gets to see what she really needs. This is a sweet mother-child book with fabulous illustrations.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess it's a "sweet" story but it didn't feel terribly inspired to me. Plus, I'm not really a fan of this style of illustration. /meh

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was called The Bundle Book, which I feel is a more appropriate title. Doesn't give it away. Loved this as a child and still do. Have my childhood copy that I read to my son now.

[The Children · Rating 5 out of 5]

so sweet!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read with my kids when they were little. Cute story.