In a People House

In a People House by Theo LeSieg
Illustrated by Roy McKie
Random House, 1972

Even in this remarkably simplistic book, Dr. Seuss uses rhyme and rhythm to capture the attention of his young readers as mouse gives bird a tour of the "people house."

"These are doughnuts. Here's a door. Come along, I'll show you more...."

One of my favorites is a page with baked beans, bureau drawers and books, and mini me crossed OUT the word bureau and wrote "dresser" because I was apparently concerned someone might not understand that word since it wasn't the one --I-- used in describing that bit of furniture. I love my young editorial marks in books, they really crack me up!

Is Marvin Oppositional Defiant?

Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!
by Dr. Seuss, Bright and Early Book
Random House, 1972

Seuss brings new meaning and transportation options to the phrase, "Hit the road, Jack." Whether by Bumble-Boat or Zumble-Zay, Marvin K. Mooney has orders to go! The mysterious large and bossy hand with his large wrist watch offers plenty of friendly suggestions before getting tough. It's a bit like how I feel some days as a teacher. Friendly and firm to start and finally letting loose with some all-in-caps words!

The Butterfly Effect for Beginners.

Because a Little Bug went Ka-Choo!

by Rosetta Stone, Illustrated by Michael Frith
Random House, 1975

Today I learned that "Rosetta Stone" is another alias for Dr. Seuss. I had no idea! Of course it makes sense since so many of these Beginner Books are by Seuss.

The Beginner Book Story
"Ten years ago, Dr. Seuss took 220 words, rhymed them, and turned out The Cat in the Hat, a little volume of absurdity that worked like a karate chop on the weary little wold of Dick, Jane, and Spot."
--Ellen Goodman, The Detroit Free Press, Nov. 1966


I loved this cause and effect, chain of events sort of book. It's a bit like the recent Laura Numeroff books If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. (The illustrator of those, Felicia Bond is another favorite) In this Beginner Book story, what begins with a sneeze ends up being utter pandemonium.

I remember loving this last set of pages. It was so fun to see where the various characters ended up and to follow all the different disastrous moves on the pages.

A Film Worth Recommending!

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, 2008

Dr. Seuss, Random House, 1954

Over Christmas break, I watched a handful of children's films and Horton Hears a Who! was one of them. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I am not a big Jim Carrey fan, but I wasn't distracted by the voices and found myself seeing the characters as the characters they were meant to be. I loved the teen angst the directors brought to young Jo-Jo and the way the Whos were portrayed in general. The film didn't really alter the picture book, much. Instead it just blew it up for closer inspection. The kangaroo was exactly as I pictured her in the book, but her baby was a bit softer and less willing to follow her mother's nastiness. A few new characters were invented for the film, but their roles were still minor and didn't create any distraction from the true message of the film/book. I love, love, love, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) so it was fun to get a glimpe of an animated Whoville, once again.

An Elephant's Faithful, One Hundred Percent...

Dr. Seuss, Random House, 1954

Horton Hears a Who! is the second book by Seuss to feature the ever-faithful elephant, Horton. The first is the one my mom prefers--Horton Hatches an Egg. Still, I decided to post on this one because it's been yanked out of memory and into the now by the 2008 film.

One thing I simply love about Seuss is his rhyme and rhythm. Next it's his focused attention to specific detail.

"On the fifteenth of May, in the Jungle of Nool, In the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool,"

"But clover, by clover, by clover he found That the one that he sought for was just not around. And by noon poor old Horton, more dead than alive, Had picked, searched, and piled up, nine thousand and five."

This particular book celebrates the "little" people and those who have faith in them and are willing to stand against the crowd to protect them. I'm sure we've all known plenty of "sour kangaroos" in our time and this book is a reminder not to become one myself. Instead I want be sure to hear the "whos" in my world and to notice the things others might miss.

Let's begin with ABC....

Me and my Uncle Rolland

I love this old picture of me, not because of the ridiculous pacifier in my mouth (held together by masking tape, mind you) but because it captures some of my early reading experiences. I remember the stories, I have many of the books, yet, somehow to have it on film seems nice. Also, I love the way my uncle looks in this photo--Michael Landon hair, head thrown back in laughter. That's really how I remember him from my youth. He lived with us for awhile when I was little. Also note, the fact that there are TWO ashtrays in this pictures. One was not enough! As much as I abhor smoking, I sort of liked that silver and black stand-up number in the background.

Dr. Seuss, 1963

The book Rolland is reading to me is one of the Dr. Seuss Beginner Books series. I have always loved Dr. Seuss, so you can expect to see more of his books appearing in this blog. Not only are all the images imaginative and the words alliterative, but the colors really pop! This book makes its way through the alphabet from Aunt Annie's alligator to the Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, which I think just naturally leads to a longer tale of his called On Beyond Zebra... but that's another post and a much more challenging read!