Yes, it’s hard to believe that Dr. Seuss books are being banned in parts of our country. In defense of books everywhere, I decided to do a post featuring The Annotated Cat: Under the Hats of Seuss and His Cats (2007) with Introduction and Annotations by Philip Nel.
In addition to the complete texts and art of both of Dr. Seuss’s famous books, there are two essays by Seuss and one magazine story, plus draft material, photographs, and page-by-page annotations. There’s a treasure trove of information here!
In his Introduction, Philip Nel argues that Seuss books operate on several levels. They do teach reading, but they also offer lessons in poetry, politics, ethics, history, and “the way the world works.” No wonder these books are being banned!
Philip Nel is an associate professor of English at Kansas State University. He also wrote Dr. Seuss: American Icon (2004). If you’re a fan of Dr. Seuss and his wonderful books, The Annotated Cat will give you hours of enjoyment. What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book? GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction -- 6
The Cat in the Hat -- 20
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back -- 94
"The Strange Shirt Spot" -- 164
"How Orlo Got His Book" -- 166
"My Hassle with the First Grade Language" -- 170
Endnotes -- 174
Selected References -- 177
Credits -- 185
Acknowledgements -- 189
About the Author -- 190
Book banning in the USA is getting crazier and crazier!
I remember too that many stations would not play some Rock songs – or the lyrics had to be changed.
But banning weapons?
No way!
Totally OT but funny in a way:
Around 120 000 books were printed in China for less than 3$ apiece and sent to the USA. —
This book is sold in the USA as “Trump’s Bible – for around 60 $.
Good business …
I’m sure like many people of my generation, THE CAT IN THE HAT was the first book I was able to read by myself—it was also the first book I checked out of the library. The simple words and constant repetition helped me figure things out, and the illustrations were fun (if a bit anxiety-producing: I always worried about that poor goldfish and its precariously-balanced bowl). Let’s face it: it isn’t books that are actually being banned, it’s any instrument that develops emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and empathy. I hate this timeline 😖.
THE 500 HATS OF BARTHOLOMEW CUBBINS with its perfectly rendered fairy tale castle!
I guess I’d have to go with the first one I remember reading – HORTON HATCHES THE EGG.
“I meant what I said and I said what I meant,
An elephant’s faithful one hundred percent.”
Green Eggs and Ham. My kids loved that one most.