Common Sense Media Review
Colorful flight of fancy has problematic stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In AND TO THINK THAT I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET, young Marco weaves a tall tale about a Roman charioteer, an elephant, a zebra, and a menagerie parading down the title thoroughfare in this, the first of Dr. Seuss' many classics. The simple story is an indictment of stern, soul-crushing adults who stifle creativity and a colorful flight of fancy for kids.
Is It Any Good?
Dr. Seuss' illustrations here are as colorful, energetic, and fanciful as his writing. In And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, a blue elephant pulls a sled so fast that it and its passengers sail through the air. As with many of the author's zany stories, this one rests on a sense of indignation -- in this case, against sober-minded grown-ups who frown on kids' delightful imaginations. But be aware, the book has racist illustrations of Chinese and Indian characters and will require discretion and/or further discussion, especially with younger readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Marco's wild imagination in And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. What do you think of the stories Marco makes up?
This book has offensive depictions of Chinese and Indian people. What lessons can we learn from stereotypes in children's books? Should kids see these outdated images to learn a lesson, or should the images be avoided altogether? Does your answer differ depending on the kid? Why, or why not?
What do you think of the relationship between Marco and his dad? Why wouldn't his dad want to hear his story?
What kinds of stories do you like to make up?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Dr. Seuss
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House
- Publication date : December 21, 1937
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 7
- Number of pages : 32
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate