The Cat in the Hat

Book: The Cat in the Hat                                       Author:  Dr. Seuss

Wow!  Before starting this book and reading the questions asked about it in assocation with creating this blog, I had no idea how controversial Dr. Suess could be.  While I had never read The Lorax, I began doing some research last night and discovered that his book was actually banned by some schools, back in the 70's.  I had no idea.  Still , The Cat in the Hat is still as popular today as it was back in 1957 when it was very copyrighted.  My seven-year-old daughter loves it and was so excited when she found out that I was actually going to read it and write a blog about it. 

I must admit that I have never been a true fan of Suess's books.  As a child, I found that difficult and confusing; still, my children are the exact opposite and love his books.  Although I am sure some contemporary books do exist which provoke the same tension as that presented in The Cat and the Hat, I haven't read one yet.  Still, I do believe that many children's book today over didactic, teaching moral lessons, but many of them are more subtle in today's time, so that every thing remains "politically correct" and unoffensive.  Still, I admire Suess's ability to question the "norm" and allow children to step outside of their comfort zone to decide, on their own, what they would do in a similar situation.  When reading this book, I always ask my daughter, "What would you have done?".  Her response is always, "I wouldn't have told!"  Back when this book was first written, although most children would have agree with her, most of them would not have admitted it.  Nowadays, I believe that more children have become more independent and free-thinking and are confident enough in both themselves and their parents to admit this truth.  I wouldn't have admitted this to my mother, but I'm glad my child is willing.

While The Cat in the Hat may be one of Suess's best known books, Oh! The Place You Will Go!  is by far my favorite of his stories.  In fact, when my son graduated from high school, a relative gave him the the book, and he really seemed to appreciate it.  Dr. Suess's books, although didactic in nature, still appeal to both children and adults alike because they are fun, crazy, and exciting.  I guess that's why they never appealed much to me as a child; I was always serious and obedient, always wanting to please, always wanting to be good, never really having the confidence to step out and be who I really was.   I'm glad my children aren't like that.  Maybe, Dr. Suess helped them.  Thanks, Dr. Suess!