Tools for this page
Print

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!

Book Summary

Reviewed by Peter Lewis

Diffendoofer School is an offbeat academy. "Miss Bobble teaches listening, / Miss Wobble teaches smelling, / Miss Fribble teaches laughing, / And Miss Quibble teaches yelling."

Students are taught how to tell a cactus from a cow, tie knots in noodles, saddle a lizard, and use their melons to the utmost--namely, to think, and think fresh.

School principal Mr. Lowe announces the grim news that students must take a standardized test and that if they do poorly, their school "will be torn down, / And you will have to go to school / In dreary Flobbertown," where the school is a totalitarian, conformist institution.

Since Diffendoofers have been encouraged to think, they ace the test and belt out the old school song: "You're gribbulous, you're grobbulous, / Each day we love you more. / You are the school we treasure / And unceasingly adore." The afterword includes Seuss's original sketches and a history of the project.

Is It Any Good?

4

This is not a Dr. Seuss book: It is a Prelutsky/Smith book with material inspired by Dr. Seuss' rough draft and enhanced by a host of Seussian visual touches. Lane Smith and Jack Prelutsky were asked to finish the 14 pages of rough sketches and verse, and the result is this bouncy, jangly, inspirational tip of the hat to eccentricity told in verse and illustrated with skittish delight. For Dr. Seuss fiends, the gold mine here is the afterword, written by the good doctor's editor, Janet Schulman, and the reproduction of Seuss' original pages.

The artwork is filled with creepy characters and dreamy landscapes that readers have come to enjoy from Smith, but it is more self-conscious than Dr. Seuss's satirical strokes. The verse is energized and melodious but more deliberate in its message and tone than the doctor's subtle storytelling. Smith and Seuss' art share the same page, giving off a modest tension, if not sparks.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.