Post #3 My top 5 Dr. Seuss books

Welcome back to Elliott's Quarantine Quintet! Is there a more beloved or widely-read children’s author than Dr. Seuss? He wrote and illustrated more than 60 children’s books. His popularity spans generations.


And many of his books provide a deeper lesson and manage to do so in an entertaining way.     1. The Lorax

 

Despite The Lorax being first published in 1971, the underlying message is just as relevant and important nearly 50 years later. There are increasingly dire consequences of the exploitation and over-consumption of natural resources for personal and financial gain, and, in his iconic style, Dr. Seuss expertly relays that message. Plus, the Lorax has an awesome mustache.     2. Oh the Places You’ll Go!

It’s no wonder that this book is a popular graduation present.  Despite being a children’s book, Oh the Places You’ll Go! captures the fullness and complexity of the adventure of life better than just about any other published work. While the tone is positive and optimistic, it is not overly cheery or rosy. Plus, I certainly relate to the pages in the book about all the people who are just waiting.     3. Green Eggs and Ham

According to Wikipedia, Green Eggs and Ham has sold over eight million copies worldwide since it was first published in 1960. The fact that such an iconic book is the result of a bet between Dr. Seuss and his publisher that he could not write a book that used no more than 50 different words adds to its allure. Despite reading it and having it read to me countless times as a child, I am still working on the idea of keeping an open mind and trying new things.     4. Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

I am only focusing on the title story here, but Yertle the Turtle provides a valuable lesson against exploiting other people for self-gain and a superiority complex. I think there’s also something there about a chain only being as strong as its weakest link (in this case a turtle named Mack.                  5. The Cat in the Hat

I don’t think there is any great moral or deep message behind this story that is one of Dr. Seuss’s best known and most-loved books.. Nevertheless, the story about a mischievous yet talented anthropomorphic cat (who happens to be wearing a hat) and the crazy things he does at the home of two siblings while their mother is away always makes me smile. Plus, the beginning part about sitting at home bored with nothing to do certainly resonates with me these days.


"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."


What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book?

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