Nat’l Poetry Month: The Lessons of Dr. Seuss

We’re exposed to poetry more than we think in our lives. It’s not all beatnicks and and drum beats and poetry readings in obscure little coffeehouses. Poetry is everywhere. Poetry is in every song lyric you listen to on the radio. Poetry is in the rhythm of the rain you hear pounding on your roof late at night, while you lie awake waiting for sleep to claim you.

And poetry is in the nursery rhymes and fairy tales you grew up with. Poetry is found throughout children’s literature, actually, and none more so than in the work of Theodor Geisel — better known as Dr. Seuss.

His books are a staple of nearly every childhood, and have been turned into charming cartoon specials and less-charming movie adaptations.

What’s perhaps most charming about Dr. Seuss’s books is that they aren’t all just silly stories. Most (if not all) of them are packed with important lessons.

What I’ve always appreciated about the lessons from Dr. Seuss books is that they aren’t preachy or political in nature — regardless of Geisel’s personal feelings on the matter. They’re just good sense, and they’re told in a clear and innocent way that everyone (kids & grown-ups alike) can relate to. Geisel famously said that he never wrote with a moral in mind because “kids can see a moral coming a mile off.” And though many of his books do carry strong messages, that was never his intent upon starting a book.

What would Christmas be without the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

And what child doesn’t know about the delectable breakfast of Green Eggs & Ham?

Or the lessons of The Cat in the Hat and his cohorts, Thing 1 and Thing 2?

The Lorax teaches us about the importance of preserving our environment.

The Sneetches teach us about tolerance and acceptance of others’ differences.

The Butter Battle Book shows us that it doesn’t matter whether you eat your bread butter side up or butter side down …

And Horton Hears A Who shows us that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

For the comments: Which Dr. Seuss book is your favorite & why?