The Cat in the Hat

 Review

Common Sense Media says

A kids classic that put Dr. Seuss on the map.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids 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.

  • The Cat trashes the kids' house and partakes in reckless behavior, but redeems himself in the end.
  • Well, it is the Cat in the Hat. Despite his bad behavior he is an enduring, and much loved, character.

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?

 

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.


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What families can talk about

  • 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?


This review was written by Robyn Raymer
Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
love it
great book

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Parent of 2 year old
August 31, 2010
 
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?

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Teen, 15 years old
June 16, 2010
 
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

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Teen, 16 years old
March 22, 2010
 
i think the book cat in the hat is a good book.for younger kids...

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Adult
December 10, 2008
 

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Kid, 12 years old
July 9, 2010
 

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Adult
October 22, 2010
 
Children 4 and older will love it!
The Cat in the Hat is very, very Educational!

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This review was written by Robyn Raymer
Author:Dr. Seuss
Illustrator:Dr. Seuss
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Humor
Publication date:January 1, 1957
Number of pages:61
Hardcover price:$8.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):4 - 7

This review was written by Robyn Raymer
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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