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The Essential Dr. Seuss Collection
By Lee Ann Alexander
March 7, 2005
Reviewing a Dr. Seuss book is a
lot like evaluating oxygen and recommending breathing. Everybody already knows
and appreciates oxygen and breathing, so it seems a little needless. But since
we sometimes take things for granted, perhaps I can offer a memory refreshment
on the genius of Dr. Seuss and his special brand of books. In this “essentials,”
I share six of my favorite Dr. Seuss books and celebrate their greatness. The
Beginner Books division of Random House boasts that these books allow kids to
read by themselves. But trust me, you won’t want to be left out on the fun.
Horton Hatches the Egg
by Dr. Seuss
I include Horton out of nostalgia. This 1940 classic, you see, was my first
introduction to Dr. Seuss. It is one of the first Dr. Seuss books published, and
while the illustrations may not be as colorful and modern-looking as his more
recent books, the imaginative storyline is every bit as fun and exciting.
The Cat in the Hat
by Dr. Seuss
No doubt one of the most
popular pieces of children’s literature, this book is perfect for a rainy day.
In fact, it’s about two kids stuck in the house on a rainy day. How long has it
been since you read The Cat in the Hat? Do you remember all that Cat’s
silly tricks? Do yourself a favor and take another look. And, no, I haven’t seen
the movie. Why spoil my larger than life childhood imagination with the confines
of the big screen?
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
by Dr. Seuss
Perhaps this work is not an outright effort to teach a moral of tolerance, but
in its celebration of all things unique, I can’t help but pick up on that. In
another of Dr. Seuss’ linguistic delights, he rhymes a message of acceptance and
stresses that differences make life entertaining: “From near to far / from here
to there / funny things are everywhere.”
Green Eggs and Ham
by Dr. Seuss
Green Eggs and Ham is rollicking good fun and probably a close second to The
Cat in the Hat in popularity. It starts out much like a cartoon, introducing
Sam-I-am through bubble dialogue as he zips page to page. Among the others, this
book contains some of the most outlandish images and perhaps the most hilarious
rhymes. But wait… I’m losing the magic of the story with my analysis. The bottom
line is that this book, just like the rest, is downright fun. And yet this book
attempts one of the hardest efforts: encouraging kids (of any age) to try new
things.
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!
by Dr. Seuss
This title is one of the later Dr. Seuss books and is a tribute to the power of
imagination. The fact that it is a more recent book is really evident in the
color printing. Unlike the basic two-tone shaded sketches of Horton and the
early books, Dr. Seuss’s illustrations here are a little more contemporary and
employ much more color. It contains not so much a story like The Cat in the
Hat, but more of an elaboration on the endless possibilities of our
imagination. You’ll spend most of the time, though, just trying to take in the
wildly colorful illustrations. This book may well be the pick of the younger
youngsters among us.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
by Dr. Seuss
The first time I
graduated from college, my parents gave me this book. I would have never thought
that reading a children’s book on my first day as a college graduate would have
been so profound and such a significant moment. But in the simplicity of its
message and its infinitely optimistic tone, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
reminds us of life’s open-ended possibilities. Share this book with someone you
believe in, and he or she will never forget it.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2005, ninetyandnine.com
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Lee Ann Alexander
is writing ninetyandnine.com’s
new book column every month until they stop printing books. (Happily for us,
she thinks she’s getting the best end of that deal.) | 
