Many kids today know – and love – Dr Seuss. Dr Seuss’s fun and educational books have been around for decades and many parents probably remember them from their own childhood. Here, we cover the history of his books and check out some of the best titles for you and your child. No kid’s library is complete without a Dr Seuss book, so get reading and look – before you turn into a chook!
Who was Dr Seuss?
Dr. Seuss, otherwise known as Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer and cartoonist, born in 1904 and most well known for his range of funny and fantastical children’s books. In total, he published 46 books for kids, all of them featuring imaginative characters and memorable rhymes. A talented man, he also worked for several advertising companies and during WWII, he worked in the animation department for the US Army. Although he died in 1991 of cancer, his inventive and entertaining stories live on today and many have been adapted into movies, stage plays and TV shows. Children and adult fans of Dr Seuss can also see his creations come to life at ‘Seuss Landing’, an attraction at the Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Florida.
The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat is one of Dr Seuss’s best-known books – and characters. Written in 1957 and aimed at children from 5 to 8 years old, The Cat in the Hat tells the story of ‘the Cat’ who causes lots of chaos one day in the home of two children and then subsequently cleans up before their mother arrives home.
Children fond of The Cat in the Hat will also find a whole series of ‘The Cat’ books, written by Dr Seuss and continued by others after his death. There is even a series called the ‘Cat in the Hat’ learning library, which teaches children about various aspects of life, fun and reading.
Horton Hears a Who!
Aimed at children aged 6–9 years, this classic tells the story of Horton the elephant, who discovers a tiny planet that’s the size of a speck of dust, called ‘Whoville’. Horton Hears a Who! is an ideal book for teaching children about acceptance and understanding of others, no matter how small they are.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
One of Dr Seuss’s most wel-known stories, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is all about the bad-tempered Grinch, who seeks to steal all the Christmas presents from the citizens of Whoville. A great book to read with your kids at Christmas time, especially if you want to teach them that Christmas is not necessarily all about presents.
Dr Seuss’s ABC
It’s a great way for kids to learn the alphabet, complete with funny rhymes and colourful drawings. Perfect for kids up to 3 years of age and a fun and exciting teaching tool for parents.
Fox in Socks
If your child is just starting to read, Fox in Socks is great book full of tricky rhymes and tongue-twisters to challenge them. This book is ideal for children from 5 to 8 years old, who are starting to read independently and who want to learn while being entertained. It’s also a good book to combine with literacy games.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
We all know the ‘one fish, two fish’ rhyme, but what is it really about? This book, great for beginner readers, simply follows a series of rhymes that describe the various pets and animals of two young children.
Green Eggs and Ham
While not as catchy in name as some of the others, Green Eggs and Ham is a story that will fascinate your child – and make them laugh! The plot revolves around Sam-I-Am, who tries, page after page, to convince his fellow character to eat a plate of green eggs and ham. A good one to read if your child doesn’t like vegetables (since the character eats the eggs and ham at the end, and discovers he actually likes it).
