In this episode of Board Book Breakdown, KC and Eric break down Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. A cap peddler can’t sell his hats, naps under a tree, wakes to find monkeys wearing his caps, and finally gets them back by mimicking their gestures and throwing his own cap down. They test whether the story fits Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey and conclude the peddler is not changed and carries on with his sub-par business strategy. They cover Slobodkina’s background as a Russian refugee turned American abstract artist who preferred collage, her connection to Margaret Wise Brown, and possible influences from her father. “WTF moments” include beyond the horizon advertising, napping on the job, medical experimentation leading to zombie outbreaks, and inflation math on 50-cent caps, plus alternate endings and lessons about retail, creativity, and parenting.

Timestamps:

00:24 Welcome to the Board Book Breakdown

02:20 What the Kids Say

03:58 Coffee

05:48 Plot Breakdown

08:15 Hero’s Journey

11:29 Author and Influences

15:34 WTF Moments

18:36 Alternate Endings

21:37Final Thoughts

About the Show:

Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.

Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow.

Feedback:

What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.