10 Dr. Seuss Books and What They Really Mean

I love top ten lists, and my friend over at Momma in Progress decided to link up with Many Little Blessings in a Top Ten Tuesdays writing topic link up.  Don't forget to see what they have to say as well!  If you like to blog as well, feel free to join in the link up and visit this post for the details.

Ten Dr. Seuss Books and What They Really Mean (to me):

10.  Yertle the Turtle

In this story, you find that Yertle isn't happy with the stone in which his throne is on, so he uses the other turtles to create a taller tower so he can see to expand his kingdom.  What I get from this book is how power can corrupt a person, or in this case, a turtle.  He turns from a good leader to a horrible tyrant because he wants more.  Finally, the turtle on the bottom burps, and everyone tumbles down.  Yertle is covered in mud, and the other turtles are finally free, as they should be.  Too much power really does bring a kingdom down to the mud, doesn't it?

Slightly unrelated, but this book reminds me of Animal farm By George Orwell.  Oh the fun of running a dictatorship.


9.  There's a Wocket in my Pocket 

There's really no huge parables and life lessons hidden in this book, unless you count how silly things are everywhere, whether you like them or not.  This is one of two books my son actually likes to listen to, so as fun as it is, after the twentieth time, the book kind of gets old, but now, both children always take the time to point out the little things that make them smile, especially if they're silly things, like squirrels and twirls or keys on trees.

8.  One Fish Two Fish

I'm pretty sure Dr. Seuss wrote this book to combat segregation, racism, and bullying because of differences. Each and every person is different, whether they're red, blue, old, or new, and I think brought that to the light for children.  It may be very subtle, but even a child seems to pick up these things, though they don't describe them as we adults would, but instead put them into practice.  Watch the closest three year old who reads this book regularly and see how they socialize with kids totally different than they are.

7.  I Can Read With my Eyes Shut

Nothing deep here, just a love for reading.  This book is obviously about showing kids what they can find in reading and, and that they can't just close their eyes and learn everything.  Learning things has to be found, and the best way to do this is to read and explore, or so this book explains.  I agree.

6.  Green Eggs and Ham

Another book simply put for helping parents get their kids to eat the weird things or foods they don't like.  I use this book as a resource/example when my daughter won't try something because it doesn't look good.  You might just like it if you'd just try it once!

5.  The Lorax

This book is the epitome of eco friendly Dr. Seuss.  It speaks of how the world will be ruined with all the businesses, trash, greed, and carelessness of the people.  I imagine the underlying thought of how fast things can be ruined when we don't take care of them explains why Hollywood just made an awesome movie about this book.  The moral of the story:  Simple.  Take care of the earth and your surroundings, and it will take care of you.

4.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Dr. Seuss really was a fanatic about teaching children the horrors of greed, wasn't he?  If you live in a cave and just discovered the internet, then you probably haven't heard about the grinch.  (Or you might just be the grinch himself!?)  Regardless, in this particular grinchy story a big mean old grinch decides he needs to steal christmas because all the joys and festivities were very annoying to him, or so I gather.  He hated others being happy and felt the need to ruin their happiness.  Of course, he succeeded, until a little girl named Cindy Lou Who made his whole world change when she gave him the gift of happiness.  Isn't it crazy how a little child can teach an adult great things with their innocence?  Other than how the little things teach the best lessons, this book is about the true spirit of christmas.  It isn't about the gifts, the lights, the food, or the toys.  Its about the fun, the games, the company, and joys.

FUN FACT:  According to his niece, the grinch greatly reflects how Dr. Seuss (or Theodore Geisel as he is actually named) wasn't exactly the holiday celebrating type.  Read more about that here.

3.  And To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street

I'll keep this one short and simple.  With a little imagination, your boring simple world can be turned into a fantastic place filled with silliness and joy.

2.  The Butter Battle Book

This book is about two groups who spend the entire time arguing over what side of the bread to butter.  Then end up building all kinds of crazy contraptions which ends up with total annihilation.  Moral of this story?  There's no sense destroying your entire humanity over something stupid like which side to butter the bread, or you know, religion.  Silly yet true.

1.  Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I picked this book as number one because it is my absolute favorite!  Simply put, this book is all about how you'll find success and happiness if you take the lead and let the world be your guide.  Of course you'll not always come out on top, but you should be happy with what you've got and make the best for yourself and others around you.  You will find many places and stages in life, and the world is waiting for you to see what's out there and what you'll be!  Here's a great link to a wonderful blog that has a good look at the book.

Of course, these books just happen to be the ones that popped in my head first, and honestly, probably the ones I read most often.  Dr. Seuss actually wrote more than 60 popular kids books, most of which you've probably heard of and read at least once.  One I didn't write about today that might have caught your attention is Oh Say Can You Say. , or perhaps, Happy Birthday To You! which the popular quote, "Today you are you, that is truer than true;  there's no one alive who is Youer than YOU!"  Maybe next week I'll make a top ten list of my favorite motivational quotes from books.  Afterall, March is the month of reading.