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 …
Wolf, the Trump Bible is selling…some people think it will be a “collectable” in the future.
Some other fascist memorabilia already is. However, the attempt in at least one state to force every public school to buy a copy of the Drumpf Bible for every classroom will no doubt flood the collectors’ markets soonish…and student graffiti might well be the most interesting aspect.
Wolf, those censorship dates in the U.S. featured two different versions of songs and albums. Warning stickers appeared on the “un-cut” versions.
Also, Wolf, people are stupid.
Earlier than this. The Byrds’ career suffered as “Eight Miles High” was pulled by many radio stations at the height of its popularity…and not the only record to be banned by most US radio stations.
Todd, I bought several albums in that era BECAUSE they had WARNING labels!
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 😖.
Deb, one of the common “objections” to children’s books by those who want to ban them is…talking animals! Somehow, the concept of talking animals will warp a children’s mind according to these “concerned” adults. What a farce!
THE 500 HATS OF BARTHOLOMEW CUBBINS with its perfectly rendered fairy tale castle!
Dan, I love THE 500 HATS OF BARTHOLOMEW CUBBINS, too! It may be Dr. Seuss’s longest book.
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.”
Jeff, HORTON HATCHES THE EGG was an early favorite of mine, too.
Green Eggs and Ham. My kids loved that one most.
Patti, Patrick had me read GREEN EGGS AND HAM to him at least a 1000 times! It never got old…
I’m with Patti. My sister and I still quote Green Eggs and Ham.
My brother’s favorite was Yertle the Turtle. At one point I could have recited the entire book verbatim.
The bookstore annually hosted a Dr. Seuss day, when local celebrities (police chief, mayor, beloved teachers – you get the idea) would come in and read Dr. Seuss out loud. It was very popular. Don’t know if it’s still being done.
Beth, with the current book banning atmosphere, many of these celebratory events have been cancelled…for safety reasons.
Ee had several Seuss books when our daughters were pre-school and toddler age; so long ago now that I don’t clearly recall which books they were.
“Deb, one of the common “objections” to children’s books by those who want to ban them is…talking animals!” — that’s a new one on me. These idiots are truly deranged. Here in TX, the attacks tend to center on YA books about Black history, the Holocaust, and LGBTQ+ themes–you know, real life. The so-called news coverage tends to paint them as grassroots efforts without trying to determine what kind of dark money actually funds them.
Fred, the “talking animals” objection surprised me, too. When my wife was an elementary school teacher, she read Roald Dahl’s THE WITCHES to her Fourth Grade classes every year around Halloween. But, the last year she taught, several parents objected to the Principal that the book should not be part of the curriculum–in effect, it should be banned because witches are evil. My wife finished reading THE WITCHERS to her class that day and turned in her Retirement paperwork.
Against stupidity, the gods themselves…
I had CAT and CAT COMES BACK, GRINCH, and GREEN EGGS AND HAM, and had an LP with dramatic/scored readings of YERTL THE TURTLE and one other…my sister did tend to decorate them before she could read them, some years later.
Children consorting with talking humanoid animals is Clearly Satanic, George. Now go cry over your Satanic primers being kept away from innocent children, so they can get more bump-stock training in.
Todd, we should be banning assault rifles and not books.
I’d say so! (That blip I just wrote you about in email seems to have resolved.)
Todd, WORDPRESS finds something to annoy me every day. Today, it’s the email problem. Other days it’s posting incomplete reviews. Most days WORDPRESS changes my words without asking me. I’m tempted to change to a different blog software system, but I’m so invested in WORDPRESS, the prospect is daunting.
Assault rifles are illegal.
Bob, but AR-15s can be modified to become assault rifles.