Books by Dr. Seuss

The Cat in the Hat and other stories by Dr. Seuss have been a fundamental element of the lives of primary children for as long as I can remember. The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Horton Hatches an Egg, and Green Eggs and Ham are just a few of the titles that I thoroughly enjoyed as a child. The Dr. Seuss books are stories that are really fun to read. The phrasing that is used throughout the books, the adventures to alternate worlds, and the signature artwork are elements that add to the appeal of the works of Dr. Seuss.

The Cat in the Hat is an entertaining tale about how the Cat in the Hat enters the lives of two young children and brings a bit of chaos and hysteria into their world. The cat’s actions, however, are not all bad. The adventure that is presented as a result of his presence and his willingness to aid the children in restoring the order of which they had previously been accustomed are two positive character traits that are displayed by the title character. As a child, I remember thinking about the consequences that the children would have to face if their mother saw the mess that had been made. This sense of tension is a major element of the book and causes the reader to continuously wondering what these characters are going to do next. I cannot immediately think of any children’s books that contain the tension that is presented in The Cat in the Hat.

The book has appealed to children for many decades and continues to be a beloved story by kids and adults. Kids still love to read the rhyming tale about the events that transpire as a result of a feline in a striped top hat. The repletion of some words and the rhyme scheme and phrasing of the sentences are elements that continue to draw children to this book and other works by Dr. Seuss. In addition, the signature illustration style immediately pulls children into the world of Dr. Seuss. The zany characters and plotline of this book are aspects with which modern day children can still relate.

The Lorax is a story that has taught and continues to teach the lesson of conservationism and preservation. The image of a world without trees is a bleak idea that Dr. Seuss presents in a very imaginative way. Individuals can see how the loss of trees, the effects of greed, and the failure to replenish a natural resource has negatively affected the world of the Lorax. Children and adults can learn from the mistakes of the Once-ler and aid in maintaining Earth’s amazing ecosystem. The negative effects of pollution are shown throughout the book. The optimistic ending of the book also challenges children to apply what they have learned from the book and become more eco-friendly. This is a concept in which children are continuously being exposed. The “green movement” and the challenge to “go green” are two concepts that directly link to the lesson that is communicated in The Lorax.

Didactic children’s books, like The Lorax, continue to exist in today’s world. For example, Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth, which I have previously reviewed, teaches three lessons that children can apply to their lives. All of the children’s books by Madonna teach a life lesson. In The English Roses, children learn about the effects of jealousy and to get to know someone before making preconceived notions about that person. Mr. Peabody’s Apples teaches the reader about the negative effect of gossip and the power of one’s words. Yakov and the Seven Thieves presents the lesson that people must turn away from their negative habits in order to attain blessings. The Adventures of Abdi teaches that everything that happens in life is for the best. Lotsa de Casha presents a multitude of lessons including how sharing can lead to great things and happiness cannot be bought. These are just a few of the many children's books that teach important lessons to children.

Seuss, D. (1957). The cat in the hat. New York: Random House.

Seuss, D. (1971). The lorax. New York: Random House.