And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss

As I kid walks his regular, boring route home, he imagines that he sees something more interesting. This imagination keeps crowing and extending until it gets to the point of an elaborate parade of different people, animals and vehicles. Though when he finally does get home, he just mentions that there was nothing special. 

This was one of the first Seuss books and has since been withdrawn from publication because of a Chinese Man eating with sticks. It seems just weird that heirs end up with control like this. I guess that's what you get with copyright extensions. At least this will be in public domain in a decade (unless there is another extension...)

If I Ran the Circus

If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss

A boy, Morris McGurk, walks by a large, nearly empty lot with Sneelock's store at the corner. He imagines the great Circus Mcgurkus. Sneelock has a role that gets more and more elaborate, starting as a vendor, and growing to performing some increasingly elaborate stunts. The book feels a little too long for the story.

 

Hooper Humperdink...? Not Him!

Hooper Humperdink...? Not Him! by Dr. Seuss (Theo. LeSieg), illustrated by Scott Nash

A kid mentions everyone he will invite to his party, but not Hooper Humperdink. There is something for every letter of the alphabet and a huge load of kids. Then finally at the end, he decides Hooper is ok. It is not the best Dr. Seuss writing.

Hop on Pop

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

The Hop on Pop board book appears a little bit shorter than the regular book. (Though it has been a while since I have read the original.) There is no "story", just a bunch of simple words that rhyme to make funny scenes.

Wacky Wednesday

Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Seuss (Theo LeSieg), illustrated by George Booth

A bunch of weird things happen on Wednesday. There is little in the area of plot and the wackiness is rather tame by Seuss standards. 

The Sneetches and Other Stories

The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss

Stories:

The Sneetches - a story of the silliness of racism. The star-bellied Sneetches think they are better. Then a salesman comes in with a machine that can take stars on or off. The Sneetches eventually realize that the stars are irrelevant and they become friends together.

The Zax - Too Zax only walk one way. When they run into each other, they refuse to move. They stay in place as the world changes around them.

Too Many Daves - All kids are named Dave. There is a wish that they had different names, with all the names given. This is the weakest story in the book.

What Was I Scared of? - A kid keeps running into a pair of pants without anyone in them. The story has a great rhythm that brings up the suspense and fear before finally reaching a happy ending.

There is a theme in all of these stories of the benefits of being flexible and willing to disregard prejudice to make appropriate changes. It is a great example of a Seuss book.

Green Eggs and Ham

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

This is a classic Seuss book. It has very few words, but repeats them over and over. Sam I Am tries to get him to eat Green Eggs and Ham. He refuses. Sam offers many different ways to eat it, and he keeps refusing until he finally gives in - and then discovers that he actually likes green eggs and ham. You can't help but read it faster and faster until it reaches the end.

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss

This is a Seuss book about reading. There are various places you can read as well as different things you can read about. There is plenty of humor in the drawings as well as nice rhythmic rhymes. It is the "series of short scenes" Seuss book rather than a "story" book. It is not the best Seuss book, but not the worst either.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

The classic Grinch book is a classic for a reason. It has an uplifting story told via brilliant verse. The illustrations are minimalistic, with only a bit of color. Grinch doesn't like the joy of Christmas so he tries to steal all the material trappings. However, the town still celebrates the spirit without the material means. Grinch decides Christmas is not so bad after all, and joins them - and brings the "stuff".

There's a Wocket in my Pocket: Dr. Seuss's Book of Ridiculous Rhymes

There's a Wocket in my Pocket: Dr. Seuss's Book of Ridiculous Rhymes (Big Bright & Early Board Book) by Dr. Seuss

This is one of the weaker Seuss books, and this abridged version does not help. It is a nonstop list of "nonsense" words that rhyme with real words. Seuss has fun illustrating each of the nonsense items as some picture.

Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? (Bright & Early Books)

Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? (Bright & Early Books) by Dr. Seuss

Mr. Brown can make sounds of various animals and other things of natures. This book is filled with "sounds" and verses describing the sounds. It is fun to read the book out loud. "Boom Boom Boom. Mr. Brown is a wonder! Boom Boom Boom. Mr. Brown makes thunder!" It lends itself to many fun read-aloud opportunities (such as having the kids read the "sounds")

You're Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children

You're Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children by Dr. Seuss

This is a Seuss book for adults. It feels more somber and less funny than the typical Seuss book. It deals primarily with the challenges of an old man visiting the doctor. The pictures can be funny, but the story feels like it is trying too hard to be cynical about medical visits.

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

This is a Dr. Seuss's attempt to be a but serious. The book is often given out for graduation and similar big life events. It generally has the Seuss style with bright pictures and a nice rhythm. However, it tries too hard to be serious and give a message.

Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!

Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! by Dr. Seuss

This is Seuss at is Seussiest. There is page after page of random "thinks" The rhyme and rhythm are consistent and most of the words are easy to read. (Though there are plenty of made up words.)  It is not very long. It  How much water can 55 elephants drink? Would you like to visit the Vipper of Vip? There is also schlop and a balloon swimming pool. It is a fun book that is quick to read.

Horton Hatches the Egg

Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss

The lazy bird asks Horton to sit on her egg and then skedaddles. Horton sits there faithfully through all seasons. He is captured by hunters and taken to the circus, yet he still sits on the egg. The bird has long since forgot about the egg, but she happens to see the circus commotion and wants to reclaim it. Alas, the egg hatches and it is an elephant bird. Horton is rewarded for his persistence faithfulness.

The sing-song rhyme and rhythm make this a fun one to read. I enjoyed the many city names dropped into one section. It is on the longer side for a kid's book, but is an enjoyable read.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

The title gives a clue as to what this book contains. It is a bunch of scenes that make sense, yet are nonsense. The words are easy to read. The rhyme and rhythm are great. There are fish and randomly-named creatures. There is also a bike for three (with a "pusher" up the hills.) It is a fun book that is easy and fun for beginning readers.

In a People House

In a People House by Theo LeSieg (Dr. Seuss), illustrated by Roy McKie

This is one of the shorter Dr. Seuss books. There is not much of a story, just an inventory of everything that would be found in a people house. This could be a great one for learning various words.

I Wish that I had Duck Feet

I Wish that I had Duck Feet by Theo. LeSieg (Dr. Seuss), illustrated by B Tobey

A boy wishes he had duck feets and imagines how he would use them. Then he realizes the problems. He pivots to think of various other animal appendages the same way. Finally, he thinks of what it would be like to have all of them as a "which-what-who". This doesn't turn out too well. He finally realizes he was fine just as himself.

The words have a great rhythm and rhyme as they tell a good story. The pictures add significantly with the rival boy and the "crush" girl playing good supporting roles.

The Cat in the Hat

The Cat in the Hat by Dr, Seuss

The Cat in the Hat is a classic that works. The meter and rhyme are very well executed. The vocabulary is simple, yet the story is rich. Beginning readers can easily make it through much of the book. The book also launched the careers of Thing One and Thing Two. The two kids are bored at home during a rainy day. The Cat in the Hat comes to introduce fun. The fish doesn't like it at all, but the kids are willing to go along. However, things get very well out of hand and a huge mess ensues. The cat is able to quickly clean things up with his "cleaning up machine" just before mom gets home. Do they kids tell their mom about it?

Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo

Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo by Rosetta Stone (Author) and Michael Frith (Illustrator)

The sneeze of a little bug sets off a chain of events which culminates in a complicated mixed up parade. Each step is a mixture of logic and absurdity. There are animals that get mad, thus setting in actions that end up with a bucket flying unto the head of the farmer - and getting stuck there. There is a boat that starts to sink, then gets hauled up by a helicopter, leading to things flying into the city, and running into a parade.

The author is Rosetta Stone, but the copyright notice shows a copyright by Dr. Seuss, making it obvious who the author was. This one is shorter than the typical Seuss book and feels a bit simpler. It also feels like it is a small step down in quality.