Our Favorite Dr. Seuss Books. What’s Yours?
In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday month, we asked our committee members to share their favorite Dr. Seuss titles and the reasons why they love them so much. The answers were varied and included some lesser-known titles… really, who other than me has even heard of Hooper Humperdink…? Not Him! So without further ado, some of our favorites, in no particular order.
- From Committee member Gail Norris: “And not just because it’s uber popular now thanks to the movie. I have had that book since I was a child, and remember exactly where it was kept – on a side table in the guest room at my grandparents house. I’m pretty sure for years, every time I was at their house, I would go get that book…and to this day can almost repeat the story verbatim. In fact, I may have embarrassed myself last week by whispering the words to myself while my twins kindergarten teacher read the story during a Dr. Seuss night event at their elementary school.
- From Committee member Gail Norris: “This one is a sentimental favorite because it was one of the first books that my twins (particularly my son) truly enjoyed and always wanted me to read over and over (and over and over) again. It always got smiles from them as infants, when we’d make the noises, and was their go-to bedtime story for several months.
- From Committee member Christine Koubek: “A travel writer’s favorite—a joyous ode to life’s journey.”
- From Committee member Laura Rowles: “As a child, I was very fond of reading and watching Dr. Seuss. As an adult, I still do and when I get the opportunity to quote Dr. Seuss, I do. But why ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go,’ you ask? It was 1993, I was a senior in high school and let’s say times were tough. I was an emancipated minor, I did not know what my future would be, I felt like things were falling apart at the seams. Until my good friend Katy’s Mom – one of the most wonderful people I have ever known in my life – gave Katy and me a copy of ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go.’ The words were popping off the page and were filling me with hope and life but it was not until graduation day when this Dr. Seuss book changed my life. Katy was our class valedictorian & her speech …. you guessed it, ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go.’ It was at this moment that I knew I would get out of my ‘slump,’ that I ‘would escape,’ that I would ‘find the bright place,’ that I was ‘off to great places’ and wherever I flew, I’ll ‘be the best of the best’ and wherever I go, I ‘will top all the rest.’ And thus far so good. ‘Oh, The Places I’LL Go’!!
- EDITOR’S NOTE: Did you know there’s an adaptation of this book called, “Oh, Baby, The Places You’ll Go! A Book to be Read In Utero”?
- From Committee member Becky Meloan: “Our family’s favorite Dr. Seuss story is ‘The Sneetches.’ Sylvester McMonkey McBean is either literature’s best entrepreneur or con-man, depending on your point of view. He takes advantage of the Sneetches’ vanity and makes off with all their money, thus teaching them to be happy with themselves the way they are. Also, Sylvester McMonkey McBean is a great name for a dog.”
- From Committee chair and City of Gaithersburg Councilmember Jud Ashman: “A funny story with a beautiful message.”
“Hooper Humperdink…? Not Him!”
- From Committee member Robin Ferrier: “I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book growing up. It’s one of my two all-time favorite children’s books. My version of the book was published under the name Theo LeSeig, and I had read somewhere when I was older that LeSeig and Seuss were the same person. The new version actually says Dr. Seuss on it. Yay! The book has such a great message: Include everyone in your fun and games.”
- From Committee member Bob Murphy: “Although I have read many Seuss books to my kids and grandkids, ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ is my favorite. My kids and theirs begged me to read it over and over. We really had fun with the tempo and tone (what else could one do after the umpteenth repetition!) and they could really relate to ham and eggs. Great book to really start kids being interested in reading for enjoyment.”
- From Committee member Robin Ferrier: “While I’m a ‘Hooper Humperdink’ gal, my daughter is in love with ‘Green Eggs and Ham.’ She ‘reads’ this book a lot.”