The peculiar definitional phrasing of Krauss's writing in this book—with sentences like "A party is to make little children happy"—became something of a cultural phenomenon when the book was first published and has helped to maintain its popularity. Krauss also illustrated a few of her own books. In addition to her books for children, Krauss wrote three collections of poetry and plays in verse for adults. Recognition Two books that Krauss wrote were runners-up for the prestigious Caldecott Medal, which is awarded to children's book illustrators: The Happy Day (1950) and A Very Special House (1954). Maurice Sendak characterized Krauss as a giant in the world of children's literature, saying: "Ruth broke rules and invented new ones, and her respect for the natural ferocity of children bloomed in to poetry that was utterly faithful to what was true in their lives". He honored her in the New Yorker cover illustration for Sept. 27, 1993, which shows a homeless boy using Krauss's book A Hole Is to Dig as a pillow and another child holding I Can Fly as they sleep. Books Children's books A Good Man and His Good Wife, illustrated by Ad Reinhardt (1944); re-illustrated by Marc Simont (1962) The Carrot Seed, illus. Crockett Johnson (1945) The Great Duffy, illus. Mischa Richter (1946) The Growing Story, illus. Phyllis Rowand (1947) Bears, illus. Rowand (1948); re-illus. Maurice Sendak (2005) The Happy Day, illus. Marc Simont (1949) —a Caldecott Medal Honor Book for Simont The Big World and the Little House, illus. Simont (1949). The Backward Day, illus. Simont (1950) I Can Fly, illus. Mary Blair (1950) The Bundle Book, illus. Helen Stone (1951) A Hole is to Dig: A First Book of First Definitions, illus. Sendak (1952) A Very Special House, illus. Sendak (1953) —a Caldecott Medal Honor Book for Sendak I'll Be You and You Be Me, illus. Sendak (1954) How To Make An Earthquake, illus. Johnson (1954) Charlotte and the White Horse, illus. Sendak (1955) Is This You?, by Krauss and Johnson (1955) I Want to Paint My Bathroom Blue, illus. Sendak (1956) Monkey Day, illus. Phyllis Rowand (1957) The Birthday Party, illus. Sendak (1957) Somebody Else's Nut Tree, and Other Tales from Children, illus. Sendak (1958) A Moon or a Button: A Collection of First Picture Ideas, illus. Remy Charlip (1959 Open House for Butterflies, illus. Sendak (1960) Mama, I Wish I Was Snow; Child You'd Be