Seuss-isms (Dr. Seuss Book Classics Series)

Finding sense within the nonsense of Dr. Seuss's (1904-1991) books, the small-format Seuss-isms: Wise and Witty Prescriptions for Living from the Good Doctor collects the words of the author cum sage. The quotations appear under such categories as "On the art of eating" (from Green Eggs and Ham) and "On equality and justice" (from Yertle the Turtle).

The simple but sage words of Dr. Seuss have helped many a child (and grownup) along the complicated road of life. For those who need reminders, here is a collection of some of the good doctor's wisest and wittiest sayings, on subjects as varied as "Equality and Justice" and "Facing Up to Adversity" to "The Art of Eating" and "The First Nerd"! A perfect gift for all occasions, ideal for sharing among generations—now with a "gift tag" on the jacket flap for consumers to personalize!

Children's Literature

With a whimsical drawing of the Cat in the Hat's hat and child-like lettering on the cover, this small-format book appears to appeal to young readers. It is published by the Children's Books division of Random House, after all, and the contents consist of illustrations from books by Dr. Seuss, accompanied by one or two stanza-long quotations from various of his books. In her introduction, however, Audrey Geisel, president and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, reveals the book's purpose: to offer "advice for living." Despite appearances, this didactic collection of Seuss snippets, packaged as a "Gift Edition," is not child-friendly. The material is arranged according to such sub-heads as "On adversity" and "On aging," topics that are not intrinsically interesting to children. "On life's mysteries" contains the advice "'Cause you never can tell/What goes on down below!/This pool might be bigger/Than you or I know!" Nostalgic adults might find this "prescription" amusing. Most children, however, would be baffled or insulted to receive this volume as a gift. Reviewer: Cynthia Levinson

It s difficult to imagine the children s book landscape without Dr. Seuss, who is, almost half a century after The Cat in the Hat, the best-recognized children s book writer in the country. But until Dr. Seuss -- a.k.a. Theodor Seuss Geisel -- reinvented the genre with his colorful and exuberant Sneetches, Grinches, Zaxes, and Zooks, children s books were often little more than literal-minded lessons and cautionary tales intended to transform young readers into productive citizens.