Book Reviews and More: DrSeuss

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Friday, 7 May 2021

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

You're Only Old Once!

A Book for Obsolete Children

Dr. Seuss

Random House Books for Young Readers

1986

ISBN 9780394551906

eISBN 9780385379502

ASIN B00ESF2AH4

Recently because of some media spotlight on Dr. Seuss and his works. I decided to reread the 6 books in question and two others. But alas only had 5 of the 6 on hand. This is the eighth of the reviews, the 6 in question and 2 of my favorites. And am now expanding and reading and reviewing some of his others.

Dr. Seuss is famous for his many children’s books. Books that spark the imagination. Surprise, and amaze. There is a large collection of old animated shorts based on them. And these has been several movies both animated and life action. He also wrote two books that though written and illustrated in a similar style and format are considered adult books they are The Seven Lady Godivas and contrary to my original belief You're Only Old Once! not The Butter Battle Book. Butter Battle is a commentary on war and is often found in the children’s sections in bookstores and libraries, and sometimes in the adult section. Godivas I believe is long out of print, I believe the last printing was in 1988. And I am only aware of it because it is the favorite book of a friend.

I do not know a child who has not engaged with these books on some level. And I know many adults that still have a favorite or 2 from the collection of his works. My youngest and my wife have a few of them memorized. And recite them to each other before bed, as much as read. My children loved the old, animated shorts, and like most of the movies. I was less fond of the live action movies but appreciate most of the animated ones. But back to this book.

As someone in their 50’s I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It follows a man as he goes to the doctors and is referred over and over again to others. It is a ridiculous book. But one that does capture something a few of us have experienced or likely will.

The book ends with:

“Is this a children’s book?

Well … not immediately.

You Buy a copy for your child now

and you give it to him on his 70th birthday.”

This is a fun read. I greatly enjoyed it. But it is not for kids. Unless it is for your adult children about what you are going through. Great to give to your parents or for parents to give to their adult children. When reading pay close attention to the direction signs and labels.

Books by Dr. Seuss:

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Friday, 30 April 2021

The Cat's Quizzer - Dr. Seuss

The Cat's Quizzer

Dr. Seuss

Random House Books for Young Readers

1947

ISBN 0394832965

ISBN 9780385379465

ISBN 9780007379576

Bah! I admit of all the Dr. Seuss books I have read. I enjoyed this one the least. I only went looking for it to have read all the ones recently taken out of print. They were going for ridiculous prices. But for me it comes down to the fact that I just did not enjoy this book. There were some interesting facts. Some memory games and a few tricks along the way. Basically, each page or 2 page spread is a short quiz. It is illustrated in typical Seuss style. And typical Cat in the Hat humor. But it just feels too forced. Like he was trying too hard to add a book to the Cat’s collection.

Dr. Seuss is famous for his many children’s books. Books that spark the imagination. Surprise, and amaze. There is a large collection of old animated shorts based on them. And these has been several movies both animated and life action. He also wrote two books that though written and illustrated in a similar style and format are considered adult books they are The Seven Lady Godivas and contrary to my original belief You're Only Old Once! not The Butter Battle Book as I had previously believed. Butter Battle is a commentary on war and is often found in the children’s sections in bookstores and libraries, and sometimes in the adult section. Godivas I believe is long out of print, I believe the last printing was in 1988. And I am only aware of it because it is the favorite book of a friend.

As stated earlier a book of quizzes, questions and riddles. It includes a few puzzles to be worked out. His normal illustrations. But to be honest nothing original or new. It feels like a book that was forced, and many of the illustrations were reused. I was underwhelmed by this book, completely underwhelmed.

I had not read this one before, which really was no loss!

Books by Dr. Seuss:

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Friday, 23 April 2021

McElligot's Pool - Dr. Seuss

McElligot's Pool

Dr. Seuss

Random House Books for Young Readers

1947

ISBN 0394800834

ISBN 9780394800837

Recently because of some media spotlight on Dr. Seuss and his works. I decided to reread the 6 books in question and two others. But alas only had 5 of the 6 on hand. This is the first of the reviews.

Dr. Seuss is famous for his many children’s books. Books that spark the imagination. Surprise, and amaze. There is a large collection of old animated shorts based on them. And these has been several movies both animated and life action. He also wrote two books that though written and illustrated in a similar style and format are considered adult books they are The Seven Lady Godivas and The Butter Battle Book. Butter Battle is a commentary on war and is often found in the children’s sections in bookstores and libraries. Godivas I believe is long out of print, I believe the last printing was in 1988. And I am only aware of it because it is the favorite book of a friend.

In this story a young man is fishing in a small pond, young Marco has his rod and his bait. He is sitting and he waits. But a farmer comes by and states that the body of water is much to small, and just used to dump garbage. And that Marco is wasting his time. But Marco supposes that the pond connects to an underground stream. And wonders if that stream connects to a river, and out to the oceans. And because of that he imagines all kinds of fish, and creatures he might catch if he has patience.

Seuss goes crazy with fish galore!

Books by Dr. Seuss:

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Friday, 16 April 2021

If I Ran the Zoo - Dr. Seuss

If I Ran the Zoo

Dr. Seuss

Random House Books for Young Readers

1950

ISBN 0394800818

ISBN 9780394800813

Recently because of some media spotlight on Dr. Seuss and his works. I decided to reread the 6 books in question and two others. But alas only had 5 of the 6 on hand. This is the fourth of the reviews.

Dr. Seuss is famous for his many children’s books. Books that spark the imagination. Surprise, and amaze. There is a large collection of old animated shorts based on them. And these has been several movies both animated and life action. He also wrote two books that though written and illustrated in a similar style and format are considered adult books they are The Seven Lady Godivas and The Butter Battle Book. Butter Battle is a commentary on war and is often found in the children’s sections in bookstores and libraries. Godivas I believe is long out of print, I believe the last printing was in 1988. And I am only aware of it because it is the favorite book of a friend.

This is yet another story about imagination. A young boy, Gerald McGrew is visiting the Zoo. And it is a perfectly good and respectable zoo. But young Gerald imagines what he would do if he ran the zoo. And soon it is a super, wonderous stupendous zoo filled with zany and crazy animals. Each bigger, better, and stranger than the last.

Seuss at his best creating new animals with crazy names!

Books by Dr. Seuss: