Green Eggs and Ham

Author                               : Dr Seuss

Illustrated by                      : Dr Seuss

Age range recommended    : 3+

Theme                                : Picky food habits, rhyme and rhythm

We are a very late entrant in the world of Dr Seuss books. But better late than never, here we are, with our recommendations and praise for this uniquely talented author and his work.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist, widely known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss. He has published 46 children's books, characterized by imaginative characters, rhyme, and frequent use of anapestic meter, which is a style used in formal poetry..  He was a perfectionist at work and sometimes, took a year to complete a book. Geisel's birthday, March 2 (he was born in 1904), has been adopted as the annual date for National Read Across America Day, an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association.  His works have spawned numerous adaptations, including 11 television specials, four feature films, a Broadway musical and four television series.

Dr Seuss lived through difficult times and used to draw cartoons for publications to support his family. He is also known for his political cartoons during the World War, where he was highly supportive of Roosevelt's 

campaign and denounced Hitler and Mussolini. 

Dr? Well, Mr Seuss was actually a college graduate drop-out! He earned his honorary doctorate much later and went on to receive a lot more, one from Princeton, too. Dr Seuss and his wife couldn't have children of their own. People often asked Dr. Seuss how he, a childless person, could write so well for children. His standard response: “You make ’em. I’ll amuse ’em.”

Many of Geisel's books express his views on a remarkable variety of social and political issues. Though Geisel made a point of not beginning the writing of his stories with a moral in mind, stating that "kids can see a moral coming a mile off," he was not against writing about issues; he said that "there's an inherent moral in any story."

Dr. Seuss's honors include two Academy awards, two Emmy awards, a Peabody award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, and the Pulitzer Prize. Dr. Seuss has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard.

Today we look at a very popular book of his', Green Eggs and Ham.

Opening Lines -

I am Sam!

Sam I am!

That Sam-I-am!

That Sam-I-am!

I do not like

that Sam-I-am!

Do you like green eggs and ham?

I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do not like green eggs and ham.

Introduction and synopsis -

"Do you like green eggs and ham?" asks Sam-I-am. Persistently, over and over again with a list of places to enjoy them at and a long list of people to enjoy them with. In a box or with a fox? In a house with a mouse? In the dark? Or perhaps, on a tree? Sam-I-am insists that it is delectable fare and has to be tried at least once before pronouncing that you don't like them. Finally, when the pestered, grumpy grouch finally agrees to try it once (on the condition that Sam-I-am would leave him alone), he is pleasantly surprised. He likes green eggs and ham! 

Why did my caterpillar and I like this book?

ME -

It is a Dr Seuss classic. His inimitable style of rhyme and rhythm, zany pictures are all here for you to see and enjoy. It is a good beginner book for children trying to read on their own. It is a message that all parents spend a lot of time and energy putting across to their kids. But green eggs and ham could be a metaphor for many things. Trying fresh green vegetables and fruits over synthetic store bought food or even, in a more broad sense, trying a new idea (the illustrations seem to suggest that the grouch who refuses to try is an oldie - someone deep-rooted in his belief over the ages and Sam-I-am, trying to get him around to try something new, is a young one).  It tells you to be open-minded. It also gets really pushy with Sam-I-am literally plaguing the guy to try it, appearing everywhere with the dish!!

MY CATERPILLAR - 

It really seems to me as though she is expecting Dr Seuss to entertain her thoroughly just like the other 2 books we have read till date. And this book did that. At the end of the reading, she did mention that there is too much to read, but she was really amused by Sam-I-am's ridiculous suggestions to try the dish. She mentioned with finality that she will never have green eggs and ham! Haha! But she knows that Dr Seuss is also suggesting what is an unwritten rule in our house - always try once. You never know what you might enjoy! Be it food, sport - even new cartoons!

Online link - 

We found this link to the very likeable book. Enjoy!
Our little A loved this video with Sam-I-am's antics more than the book.

This is the official site of Dr Seuss. You might want to take a look.

The cocoon rates it -

4/5

Dr. Seuss books have to be read to your little one. This would be a good choice to introduce them to his writings, his thoughts and his pictures. We look forward to talking about more of his amazing books soon.

We quote below some of his awesome lines, which bring out the essence of all his writings - words that make him such a special author of books for children -

• "You are you. Now, isn't that pleasant?" 
• "A person's a person, no matter how small." 
• "If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good."
• "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So.... get on your way."