The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

from goodreads

4 stars

Lately the kids haven't been looking for new books. They seem to be wanting to read their old favourites. For Miss P that means a lot of Where is the Green Sheep.

Sometimes it is nice to go back and revisit old friends. I have many books that I like to go back to from time to time. I love spending time in their world. With my books-to-read list getting longer and longer I don't spend as much time with these old friends as I am forging new reading relationships. Perhaps I will need to change that.

Synopsis

Sally and her brother are stuck at home, with their mother out, feeling bored. Then comes the Cat in the Hat to change all that.

My Thoughts

I have a love hate relationship with this book. Currently I am loving it, but that can change. I think the main reason why I am loving it now is that over the Christmas Break we watch a lot of The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot about That. It is a cute show and shows the Cat as a more thoughtful character than what is portrayed in the the book. The show helps flesh him out and he becomes more loveable. (It helps that he his voiced by Martin Short... I adore Martin Short.)

I do like that the book is simplistic. It is a story that not only helps kids learn to read but is interesting too! That combo does not always exist. I also think that this story is very relatable. Who hasn't been bored wondering what to do, or been worried about getting found out by their parents or someone in authority. I also like how the Cat picks up everything. I wish my kids would catch that hint.

I don't like the Cat's total disregard for the discomfort of those around him. I know it is fun to have fun and try new things, but when it is causing massive anxiety for someone else, then perhaps it is time to stop. This lack of caring is something that I do not like.

This book is a classic kids book and will be around for a long time. It has that timeless quality and that sense of fun and adventure that is going to have kids keep coming back to it again and again. The copy we read from I had when I was a little girl, and I'm sure it will be around when my kids have kids. (The binding is exceptionally good.)