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The Cat in the Hat (by Dr. Seuss)

common sense media says

A kids classic that put Dr. Seuss on the map.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that young readers will likely side with the fun-crazed Cat and his sidekicks, not the guilt-tripping goldfish who serves as the voice of reason. The book's colorful illustrations capture the Cat's exuberant spirit and match the rapid-fire rhyming text, which will likely encourage multiple readings.

Positive messages: The Cat trashes the kids' house and partakes in reckless behavior, but redeems himself in the end.
Positive role models: Well, it is the Cat in the Hat. Despite his bad behavior he is an enduring, and much loved, character.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.

More on The Cat in the Hat

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about Dr. Seuss's unique use of language and can even use the book to introduce the concept of rhyming.
  • How many sets of rhyming words can you find in the text?
  • Do you notice any kind of pattern with rhyming pairs? Parents can also reinforce the real-life ramifications of the Cat's crazy behavior.
  • Do you think the children will be honest with their mother about what actually happened in the house that day?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Two children are moping indoors on a rainy day when in strolls the Cat in the Hat. Making one of the most unforgettable entrances in the history of children's literature, the lanky feline, stylishly dressed in a candy-striped stovepipe hat and oversized bow tie, creates a whirlwind of misbehavior that the kids are at first powerless to halt.

 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
In response to a pivotal Life magazine article titled "Why Johnny Can't Read," children's author Theodor S. Geisel -- aka Dr. Seuss -- spent over a year shuffling what must have seemed like a meager assortment of words, polishing and polishing, until he produced THE CAT IN THE HAT. And when the Cat strode into primary classrooms, boring old Puff and Spot slunk out forever.

The Cat is almost amoral: He traipses into the house, juggles possessions, and invites his odd pals to help him trash the place. (That's why the children's grumpy goldfish, a self-appointed baby-sitter/morality czar, is a perfect foil for the mischievous Cat.) That said, the Cat is hardly shameless. After the boy finally asserts himself and orders the fun-loving feline to "pack up those Things" and hit the road, the Cat is the picture of remorse -- even his whiskers and bow tie droop. This is a must-read classic for every child.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Dr. Seuss
Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
Publication date: January 1, 1957
Number of pages: 61
Hardcover price: $8.99

This review was written by Robyn Raymer
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5

Most useful reviews by all members

8448
adult
 
love it
great book

tobe998
teen, 15 years old
 
i think the book cat in the hat is a good book.for younger kids...

 
Children 4 and older will love it!
The Cat in the Hat is very, very Educational!

dct
parent of 2 year old
 
5 Hats out of 5 for the Cat
I love reading The Cat in the Hat to my 2 yr old. We have lots of fun reading through it. The first time through he thought it was too long, but now he asks for each each night before bed. I had previously thought he was zoning out during sections of the book, but a few days ago he was playing off by himself and talking to himself and I realized he was reciting part of the text from one of those sections! Others have expressed concern about the cat and the "things" as role models. You can't explain proper versus improper behavior without examples of the latter to counter with the former. The kids are mostly bystanders, who don't try to stop the cat or the things until pressed at the end. In the end, they take the right action. And, the cat himself, redeems himself to some degree by righting what he has done wrong. The story ends with a question -- that I believe -- is there for you to address when the story is presented and complete: When the mother comes home, should the kids tell her what happened while she was gone?

bob the bilder
teen, 16 years old
 
nice
it is cool it has a lot of inserpration in it.

Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
Fun!
Absolutley nothing to worry about! It's a classic!

i hate common ...
kid, 12 years old
 

eswanson
parent of 10 year old
 
I really don't like this book!
I know I'm going against decades of conventional wisdom but I won't read this book to my son. The Cat goes against every behavior I'm trying to teach him. The kids in the story are trying to do the right thing but the Cat just won't let them. I know it works out ok in the end but I see no reason to add this book to our library.

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
great, funny book for kids learning how to read
i've always enjoyed the cat in the hat. The simple writing makes it easy for beginner readers to read. It's a cute book and there isn't any inappropriate content (unless people dislike the cat's bad behavior but he fixs things at the end) I think kids will love it and parents will find it funny

Mr.Awesome
parent of 3 year old
 
Awesome Book!!!
This book is a true classic! It was totally awesome and mind blowing! To simplify it down, it’s about a cat who wears a hat, who trashes the house. He brings out these 2 boxes labeled Thing 1 and Thing 2. In the boxes are these crazy little people who trash the house even more, throwing stuff around like a game! But the cat in the hat cleans it up with a crazy awesome machine! He left as if nobody was ever there! And there’s a talking goldfish who says what’s right and wrong! That’s the main thing that goes down in the book. I would recommend that you! read this amazing book. It is a true inspiration to have! If you ever have a bad day or something, you can open up Cat In The Hat and gets many laughs. This book opened my eyes to books, and makes me want to read another by Dr. Suess. I recommend this book for all ages, not just to 4 years old, to ages 1-100!!!

Spiff
adult
 
Wonderful classic for all ages...the cat is very naughty, but at least the kids and the fish are trying to do the right thing...

MissBlackShadow
teen, 16 years old
 
Amazing for all ages/
Aw, I always loved these books. They're great for if you feel down and just can't deal with something more adult and just need a laugh. The Dr Seuss books always cheer me up, because they remind about how young and innocent I once was, and it sometimes helps keep perspective on things. They're great for reading aloud to kids as well, I always read this to my 3 year old cousin. I've loved Dr Seuss all my life, and will probably love Dr Seuss for the rest of my life. :)

asdfasdg
parent of 12 year old
 
only for 70+
this is so inapropriote and it shouyld be banned to much gang and drug refrence

milesdude33
kid, 11 years old
 
WHAT IS DR.SUess THINKING!
What is dr. Suess thinking. ok what kids are supposed to learn from this book is to have bad behavior. It's just not right. and the language butt. i mean that word is like a cuss word to me. if i had kids this book would be banned from my house. Just kidding! this book is for ages 2 and up to me. JUST KIDING ABOUT THE NOT FOR KIDS

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