OK, I really put off this particular entry until last because I don't enjoy reading Dr. Seuss books. I know that they are "timeless", and I know that Dr. Seuss did amazing things with 250 basic vocabulary words, but The Cat in the Hat makes me feel uncomfortable when I read it. I have never enjoyed watching people make a mess (even in cartoons), and reading about mess-makers gives me the creeps. I've also always felt uncomfortable about the final question in the book..."What would YOU do if your mother asked YOU?" When I read this story to my children, I always follow up with "You know, you should always tell mommy the truth, even if you think I won't like it....". Even though we have many other books on our shelves, my children do still choose The Cat in the Hat as our bedtime story. It has not lost its appeal toward children, no matter how their parents might cringe. It also is appealing in its rhyming scheme, since rhyming and ending sounds are such a vital part of reading success in children. In general, The Cat in the Hat plays an important role in children's literature.
A more contemporary book that contains a little of the anarchy displayed in The Cat in the Hat is Savvy, by Ingrid Law. The lead character is dealing with some emotional turmoil and family difficulties, so she hops on a bus with a stranger without asking her parents or babysitter. She relies on strangers for help, and even spends the night with a strange man and woman in a hotel room. Talk about anarchy! For some reason, this type of anarchy was less troubling to me than the mess and secrecy in The Cat in the Hat. Very strange.
A more contemporary book that contains a little of the anarchy displayed in The Cat in the Hat is Savvy, by Ingrid Law. The lead character is dealing with some emotional turmoil and family difficulties, so she hops on a bus with a stranger without asking her parents or babysitter. She relies on strangers for help, and even spends the night with a strange man and woman in a hotel room. Talk about anarchy! For some reason, this type of anarchy was less troubling to me than the mess and secrecy in The Cat in the Hat. Very strange.
Although The Lorax has been a controversial book since its publication in 1971, I prefer reading that story over The Cat in the Hat. The Lorax is didactic in its clear effort to teach children about the importance of carefully considering the impact of our existence and actions on the environment. It shows a character at the end of his life who is full of regrets, who cannot undo the damage he has done; he can only educate those who will live after him. It definitely sends a message, but is a little bit of a "downer" for a children's book. It may not be a good bedtime story, but it definitely has its place in the libraries of our schools.
I think that many stories today are didactic in nature, but the message they usually attempt to teach is not necessarily controversial. Many authors choose lessons such as honesty, integrity, and kindness as lessons for their books. Others choose to teach children empathy for those in troubling situations, but typically when it is politically correct to do so. With so many children's authors in print today, there are many didactic materials available; they just might not make the best-seller list.
Seuss, D. (1957). The Cat in the Hat. New York: Random House.
Seuss, D. (1971). The Lorax. New York: Random House.
I think that many stories today are didactic in nature, but the message they usually attempt to teach is not necessarily controversial. Many authors choose lessons such as honesty, integrity, and kindness as lessons for their books. Others choose to teach children empathy for those in troubling situations, but typically when it is politically correct to do so. With so many children's authors in print today, there are many didactic materials available; they just might not make the best-seller list.
Seuss, D. (1957). The Cat in the Hat. New York: Random House.
Seuss, D. (1971). The Lorax. New York: Random House.
