Illus. in full color. "Four funny easy-to-read stories all with subtly planted moral lessons."--Publishers Weekly.
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Feb 03, 2012
Bird Brian
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This book made me think of different things, when I re-read it at different times in my life. The text was the same, but its meaning shifted, like light distorted through the prism of new experiences.
Racism
Let's start with the obvious. On its simplest level, this is a parable about racism. The Sneetches are bird-like creatures whose society is stratified, with class divisions between those with stars on their bellies and those without. An opportunist- Sylvester McMonkey McBea More...
Racism
Let's start with the obvious. On its simplest level, this is a parable about racism. The Sneetches are bird-like creatures whose society is stratified, with class divisions between those with stars on their bellies and those without. An opportunist- Sylvester McMonkey McBea More...
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Jan 15, 2012
Ronyell
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I was reading this book for the Readers Against Prejudice and Racism Club and it was fantastic!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
I have been reading many of Dr. Seuss’ books ever since I was a child, but out of all the books I have read from him, this book was the most effective book I have ever read! “The Sneetches and Other Stories” is a short collection of stories by Dr. Seuss where each of them detailed how to accept other people for who they are. “The Sneetches a More...
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
I have been reading many of Dr. Seuss’ books ever since I was a child, but out of all the books I have read from him, this book was the most effective book I have ever read! “The Sneetches and Other Stories” is a short collection of stories by Dr. Seuss where each of them detailed how to accept other people for who they are. “The Sneetches a More...
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Dec 07, 2007
Doug
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Why 5 stars? Why rate a children's book? Because there is still prejudice in the world, that's why. If we got the world leaders together, and brainwashed them with this book, war would disappear. Segregation, discrimination, prejudice, sophistry, bias and artificial prominance would go away. In his unique way, Theodore Giesel points out the folly of judging anybody by physical characteristics, or any other inaccurate method.
Lessons learned from this book:
Whether we ha More...
Lessons learned from this book:
Whether we ha More...
May 22, 2011
Brad
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The Sneetches is my absolute favourite Seuss story. The rhythm trumps all other Seuss stories, and when I am reading this out loud to my kids I joyfully shift from Star-belly Sneetch voices to Plain-belly Sneetch voices to Sylvester McMonkey McBean's voice without even a hint of having to think about the shift. Seuss's rhythm invites that. I can speed up to warp, I can slow down and leave an octo-pregnant pause, and still the rhythm is flawless. Plus, the story's pretty meaningful too. This is t
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May 06, 2008
Missy
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This is my favorite book to read to my kids. It has "Sneetches" that teaches that "No kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches." Then there's "The Zax" that teaches us how unproductive it is to never compromise. "Too Many Daves" - Scott and I talked about this one last night and how it is a fun little story, but doesn't have and underlying message. Then we decided that it does have a message. It's about making all of your kids feel special and letti
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Mar 02, 2009
Matt
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Though this collection is more generally recommended for an age group between four and eight years old, "The Sneetches and Other Stories" is not at all limited so. Such is also the case with each of Dr. Seuss's works, due to his brilliant exertion of realized adult symbolism along with childhood lessons and poetic wordplay. Many friends of mine have assumed Theodor Geisel to be a one-note, singular-intention children's author. Books such as "Hop on Pop" may not well exemplify
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May 05, 2011
Kathy
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This is a collection of four stories about silly superiorities, too stubborn for your own good, being lazy and not thinking ahead, and confronting your fears.
The Story
The Sneetches are divided. Some have green stars for belly buttons while others do not. Naturally, the Star-Belly Sneetches are far superior to the Plain-Belly Sneetches…until…one day…an enterprising Sneetch comes along and offers to help the Plain-Belly Sneetches by giving them stars on their bellies. Well, this ju More...
The Story
The Sneetches are divided. Some have green stars for belly buttons while others do not. Naturally, the Star-Belly Sneetches are far superior to the Plain-Belly Sneetches…until…one day…an enterprising Sneetch comes along and offers to help the Plain-Belly Sneetches by giving them stars on their bellies. Well, this ju More...
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Apr 21, 2009
Cindy
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SUMMARY
This collection of short stories touches on themes like the value of diversity, the get-nowhere-fast of stalemates, the value of individuality, and confronting fears. There are two kinds of Sneetches in The Sneetches: those who have stars on their bellies, and those who do not. When a man comes along with a star-on / star-off machine, the Sneetches get all mixed up and the resolution is that all sneetches are equal. In The Zax, two Zaxes (a north-going one and a south-going one) More...
This collection of short stories touches on themes like the value of diversity, the get-nowhere-fast of stalemates, the value of individuality, and confronting fears. There are two kinds of Sneetches in The Sneetches: those who have stars on their bellies, and those who do not. When a man comes along with a star-on / star-off machine, the Sneetches get all mixed up and the resolution is that all sneetches are equal. In The Zax, two Zaxes (a north-going one and a south-going one) More...
Mar 11, 2010
Josiah
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This is a very impressive book. In the various stories compiled in this one volume, Dr. Seuss addresses several points of social contention with a touch like that of the butterfly's wings, getting his point across with vivid clarity but not a hint of preachiness. The story of the Sneetches is a true classic, showing rather than telling the effects that elitism has not only on the people across the way from us who we look down on, but the effect it has on us, as well. When we begin to consider s
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May 27, 2011
Julie (Mom2lnb)
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Reviewed for THC Reviews
I've been a huge fan of Dr. Seuss since I was a child, but until I read The Lorax for the first time a few years ago, I had never realized that he was an author with the heart of an activist. Much like The Lorax, The Sneetches and Other Stories tackles mature themes in a non-threatening, even humorous, way that kids can understand. All four stories in the book have the underlying message of tolerance, acceptance and compromise with those who are different from us or More...
I've been a huge fan of Dr. Seuss since I was a child, but until I read The Lorax for the first time a few years ago, I had never realized that he was an author with the heart of an activist. Much like The Lorax, The Sneetches and Other Stories tackles mature themes in a non-threatening, even humorous, way that kids can understand. All four stories in the book have the underlying message of tolerance, acceptance and compromise with those who are different from us or More...
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Mar 11, 2009
Emily
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I like how at first they aren't being nice to each other, but in the end they end up so messed up that they don't know who is who, forget about stars, start sharing, and from that time on he thinks that you can't teach a sneetch, but he's wrong. You can teach a sneetch.
One day there are two zax, a north going zax and a south going zax and they bump into each other. They start fighting. In the end they stay where they are and they don't budge. They build a highway over them.
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One day there are two zax, a north going zax and a south going zax and they bump into each other. They start fighting. In the end they stay where they are and they don't budge. They build a highway over them.
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Nov 07, 2008
Jenn
rated it:
Sam reads this book, on average, twice a week. He loves how entrepreneurial that Sylvester McMonkey McBean is in exploiting those silly Sneetches bigotry. He also likes the ending when the Sneetches learn to be nice to each other.
Sam also likes the story of "Too Many Daves" and often uses the alternate name suggestions for nicknames for his brother. A favorite is Oliver Boliver Butt.
Sam also likes the story of "Too Many Daves" and often uses the alternate name suggestions for nicknames for his brother. A favorite is Oliver Boliver Butt.
May 15, 2010
Connie
rated it:
Ah, Sneetches.
This book comes with four Seuss stories. It is a mark of the man's skill that he was able to write a clear moral for each of them without being too preachy. (He didn't always succeed at this, which is why I refuse to buy a copy of the Lorax, but when he got it right he was SO right.)
The first story, Sneetches, is a pretty clear moral about discrimination. The ones with stars and the ones with "none upon thars" run back and forth and back and forth More...
This book comes with four Seuss stories. It is a mark of the man's skill that he was able to write a clear moral for each of them without being too preachy. (He didn't always succeed at this, which is why I refuse to buy a copy of the Lorax, but when he got it right he was SO right.)
The first story, Sneetches, is a pretty clear moral about discrimination. The ones with stars and the ones with "none upon thars" run back and forth and back and forth More...
Feb 23, 2010
Shelley
rated it:
"The Sneetches" is perhaps my all-time favorite Dr. Seuss story. What a subtle way to teach children that racism and sexism and any of those "isms" are wrong. Dr. Seuss was a genius!
I am also a big fan of "Too Many Daves". It's just too funny!
I have loved these stories (and almost all of Dr. Seuss' books) since I was very small. I remember checking out the maximum number of books allowed - 8 at the time - and all of them were Dr. Seuss More...
I am also a big fan of "Too Many Daves". It's just too funny!
I have loved these stories (and almost all of Dr. Seuss' books) since I was very small. I remember checking out the maximum number of books allowed - 8 at the time - and all of them were Dr. Seuss More...
Dec 29, 2007
Skylar
rated it:
"The Sneetches" teaches the positive virtue of tolerance in a way that doesn't make me want to stick my fingers down my throat, and given the state of most of today's overly didactic, moralistic children's literature, that's a real accomplishment.
And it rhymes.
And my daughter absolutely loves it.
And it rhymes.
And my daughter absolutely loves it.
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Feb 26, 2011
Julie
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Love this collection! We read it constantly with all three of the kids. Such a great series of subtle lessons on the importance of diversity and acceptance/appreciation thereof!
Sneetches: Racism (or whatever -ism you want to draw from as the example) is silly. So is chasing fads. :)
Zax: Compromise and/or creative problem solving is necessary. (My daughter: Why couldn't one zax lay down and the other hop over him? both could continue in their direction?)
Da More...
Sneetches: Racism (or whatever -ism you want to draw from as the example) is silly. So is chasing fads. :)
Zax: Compromise and/or creative problem solving is necessary. (My daughter: Why couldn't one zax lay down and the other hop over him? both could continue in their direction?)
Da More...
Jan 17, 2008
Cameron
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I'll never forget when my eleventh grade English instructor whipped out this title to teach us how to find themes in novels. I was fairly speechless as he read to us from the Sneetches.
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Sep 26, 2011
This fable is a good example of the many obstacles in society. One can see traces prejudicism as well examples of media persuassion. They can see prejudice in the way the Sneetches treat each other. The division in social class can be a representation of the obstacles some nations still face. When Mcbean comes into play, a clear symbol for of the media can be seen. He is the force that convinces the Sneetches that they need to change in order for them to succeed. If this book is read to elem
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Mar 09, 2009
Amy
rated it:
Summary: Inventive language at it's finest... Star-Belly Sneetches, the Fix-it-Up Chappie... courtesy of Dr. Seuss, of course. Wittily and humorous, yet contains a moral or two about individuality and contentment. The cartoon-like illustrations compliment the text and make character expressions come to life.
Audience: K-3
Uses: Read-aloud for early elementary. Guided reading or shared for transitional early readers; transitional for independent reading. Great for introduct More...
Audience: K-3
Uses: Read-aloud for early elementary. Guided reading or shared for transitional early readers; transitional for independent reading. Great for introduct More...
Nov 20, 2007
Sarah
rated it: 
Parents beware of some very unfriendly subject matter in this book, and not in a humorous context. Definitely the darker side of Seuss.
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May 14, 2009
Kathy
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John loves this book. The stories are shorter than most Dr. Suess books so it's great for when you need to get in a quick story before bed time. We laugh and laugh at the names that Mrs. McCave wishes she had named her 23 sons, rather than naming them all Dave. John is facinated by the highway that is built over the Zaks. The story of the green pants with nobody inside them is great for when he is afraid, as the pants are just as afraid of the little boy. Of couse the Sneetches with their d
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Jul 09, 2011
Age: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Diversity: Differences
Illustrations: Typical Dr. Seuss drawings of real and imagined creatures.
Personal Response: I think that this story contains Dr. Seuss' message of embracing differences the most overtly. All three of the stories contained in this book have a variation on the theme of differences that still resonate today.
Curriculum: All of the stories in this book could be used in conjunction with a lesson on ho More...
Genre: Picture Book
Diversity: Differences
Illustrations: Typical Dr. Seuss drawings of real and imagined creatures.
Personal Response: I think that this story contains Dr. Seuss' message of embracing differences the most overtly. All three of the stories contained in this book have a variation on the theme of differences that still resonate today.
Curriculum: All of the stories in this book could be used in conjunction with a lesson on ho More...
Nov 07, 2011
Jazmin
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This story would be funny and entertaining to kids. I enjoyed reading it as well. I would use this story to introduce the civil rights movement because to me, it reminds me of that issue. The sneetches who didn't have a star on their belly weren't allowed to do stuff the ones with a star would do. This reminds me of how African-Americans weren't allowed to do a lot of stuff, or they had to do their stuff separately. At the end of the story they realized they are all the same no matter if you hav
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Mar 11, 2011
Heather
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The Sneetches on the beaches are having a problem- some have stars and some have none! Through this funny rhyming story, Dr. Suess shows us that we should never exclude someone because they are different. In the end, the Sneetches were still Sneetches, stars or not, as are all of us. People are people, no matter how we look or what we wear, and we should never treat someone poorly because of our differences. Though this story has a wonderful moral behind it, the overuse of the long e makes it be
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May 21, 2010
Jacqueline
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I read this to my boys but I bought it years before I had them for myself. I was introduced to it as an adult never having read it as a child. It just doesn't get any better than Too Many Daves and What Was I Afraid Of? My nephew came downstairs one night in the 1990s with his mother's stretch pants pulled up over his head. Ahh... the pale green pants with nobody in them.
Wonderful to read out loud.
The pale green pants, the Zax and the Sneetches stories have a great mo More...
Wonderful to read out loud.
The pale green pants, the Zax and the Sneetches stories have a great mo More...
Jan 17, 2011
Matthew
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I remember reading the Sneetches long ago with my mom, and I still like to read it every once in a while. The Sneetches is a story of not only these fantastic creatures out of the mind of Dr. Seuss, but it is a story of things that still apply to the real world, even though this book was written about 50 years ago. This book reflects real-world discrimination and racism. The illustrations, though rather simple, tell the story of this book perfectly, with no more than five or six colors per page
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Dec 22, 2010
Brennan
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One of the first Dr. Seuss stories I've ever read, and I didn't stop reading after reading the first one. It's surprising how Dr. Seuss can put a message into these stories but he does somehow. This story was about treating others equally even if they might look different in one way or another, the sneetches were treating each other differently because some had stars on their bellies and others didn't. In the end they realize that they are no different whether they have stars or not, and treat e
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Dec 06, 2010
Alma
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The Sneetches with the stars on their bellies thought they were the best. The ones that did not have them were thought of as less. Mr. McBean came and fixed their problem by using his wonderful machine. The Sneeches that had the stars on their bellies first would not know how to distinguish so McBean suggested taking the star off. The Sneeches would put it on and take it off until they ran out of money. Mr. McBean left but the Sneetches decided that with a star or without they were all Sneetches
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May 09, 2008
Krista
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Children and adults everywhere continue to rejoice and share in the values of Dr. Seuss’ many works, as well as find ways to adapt them to reflect and help explain modern issues. In the vein of his The Butter Battle Book, which addressed the absurdity of warfare and arms race, this work focuses on the equally absurd nature of intolerance based on looks. The value in this story is that can be related as easily to the issue of gender stereotypes and norms (which is at the core of homophobia) More...
