Green Eggs and Ham (by Dr. Seuss)

Dr. Seuss created this book by transposing ham and eggs, coloring them green, and using the word "not" eighty-two times. The unquenchable Sam-I-am drags poor Mr. Negativity over hill, dale, and precarious aerial train track (with a cheerful mouse, fox, and goat in tow) until the hapless green-eggs-and-ham-hater consents to try the despised green breakfast.

In this oddball story, Dr. Seuss brought Sam-I-Am's disgusted opponent to life with many funny poses signifying refusal. In one, the snooty grump has one hand on hip, the other palm held up flat in a "Thanks, but no thanks!" gesture. Another is an eyes-closed, head-thrown-back howl of protest. Another features infuriated finger shaking: "You let me be!" (Once he's won over, the character becomes a lot less interesting.)

Just ask a 2-year-old: it's invigorating to say the word "No!" 30 or 40 times in succession (or variations such as "I won't eat it, I don't like it"). One five-year-old was able to use her rudimentary phonics skills, memory, and a flair for saying "No!" to read this entire book with perfect expression. She also pointed out that the book should be re-titled "Green Yolks and Green Ham," and understood its moral: "You should try new things."