The Cat in the Hat
By Robyn Raymer,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
The kids' classic that put Dr. Seuss on the map.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Best horror book
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
Two children, Conrad and his sister Sally, 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. He opens a box and releases Thing 1 and Thing 2, who cause even more trouble. But the goldfish is the voice of reason, and Conrad sends the Cat and his friends packing. The mess gets cleaned up before the kids' mom comes home.
Is It Any Good?
This is a must-read classic for every child. 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 a minimal assortment of words, polishing and polishing, until he produced this wacky, offbeat story for very young readers.
The Cat traipses into the house, juggles possessions, and invites his odd pals to help him trash the place. But the children's grumpy goldfish, a self-appointed babysitter/morality czar, is a perfect foil for the mischievous Cat. And 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. The Cat in the Hat is a wonderful read-aloud and a rollicking good time for kids and grown-ups alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Dr. Seuss's unique use of language in The Cat in the Hat. What's fun about a book that uses rhyming to tell the story?
How many sets of rhyming words can you find in the text? Do you notice any kind of pattern with rhyming pairs?
What would happen in real life after 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?
Book Details
- Author: Dr. Seuss
- Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
- Genre: Humor
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- Book type: Fiction
- Publication date: January 1, 1957
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 61
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
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