Poor Dick and Sally. It's cold and wet and they're stuck in the house with nothing to do . . . until a giant cat in a hat shows up, transforming th...
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Nov 16, 2008
Sandi
rated it: 
I really can't stand this book. It's one of those my son had me read over and over when he was little. Seriously, what kind of mother leaves her young children home alone? Who is this cat? Why is he such a troublemaker? Is it okay that they do all that rotten stuff just because it all gets cleaned up before mom gets home? What kind of trouble will this brother and sister be getting into in their teens. This is a very disturbing book.
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Mar 05, 2008
Valerie
rated it: 
I like that at the end of this book, when the mother comes home and the text reads:
Should we tell her about it?
Now, what SHOULD we do?
Well...
What would YOU do
If your mother asked YOU?
My daughter always looks up at me and says: I would tell you.
But I don't believe her. I think it's quite possible that the Cat in the Hat has already been here, and she's just telling me what I want to hear.
Should we tell her about it?
Now, what SHOULD we do?
Well...
What would YOU do
If your mother asked YOU?
My daughter always looks up at me and says: I would tell you.
But I don't believe her. I think it's quite possible that the Cat in the Hat has already been here, and she's just telling me what I want to hear.
Aug 18, 2007
Clear_enGlish
rated it:
A treasured memory from childhood, I bought many Dr. Seuss books to read to my children when they were small.
I discovered a surprising thing; I thought that I was well read and a literate adult..., reading these books out aloud requires great concentration and voice control (especially with a critical kid listening). However clever you may think you are, reading these books out aloud will improve your public speaking and help you to win friends and influence people :-)
Go ahead, have More...
I discovered a surprising thing; I thought that I was well read and a literate adult..., reading these books out aloud requires great concentration and voice control (especially with a critical kid listening). However clever you may think you are, reading these books out aloud will improve your public speaking and help you to win friends and influence people :-)
Go ahead, have More...
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(4 people liked it)
Feb 04, 2012
Now the book starts off with a single mother and her two kids. Immediately, we realise the mother is single as there is no mention of a father. Perhaps the father is dead? Maybe they divorced? Either way, that's no excuse for the mother to be running off during a dark and stormy night (the perfect setting for some freaky horror movie) to go out with her gals and get her drink on.
Anyways, the mother leaves the kids alone, at home. We can assume they are both under the age of 10. They More...
Anyways, the mother leaves the kids alone, at home. We can assume they are both under the age of 10. They More...
Jan 12, 2008
Lucie
rated it: 
I recall this book caused me much stress as a child - much like the kittens who come in and wreck the doll house in the Sesame Street short film. However, as an adult reading it to my own kids, they were never shaken by the mess - they were interested in how the kids would manage to pull off the whole debacle.
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Jan 29, 2012
Stephen
rated it: 
3.5 stars. My favorite Dr. Seuss book as a kid. I was very happy to be able to read this out loud with my five year old daughter and have her love it as much as I did.
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Jul 15, 2008
Ashley
rated it:
Really good book. Bit of a complicated plot, but the pictures help.
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(5 people liked it)
Mar 25, 2009
Suzanne
rated it: 
Middle school and all the reading gags and promotional hooha has ruined this book for me. I encourage everyone to read. But I cant stand when people commercialize and advertise, and politicize something as purely fun as reading. All the reading politicians I know choose this book to symbolize all the reading fun one can have. I hate this cat! I hate this hat! I hate posing for pictures to show the county we read in the hallway back to back!
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 20, 2011
Keivn
rated it:
It was very good but some times I got confused cause the words got all jumbled up in my mind.
3 comments
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Jul 04, 2008
Gigi
rated it:
My least favorite Dr. Suess book. As another person commented it stressed me as a child reading it because I knew the mother would come home and I didn't want her to be upset. This must have effected me a lot because even while reading it to my children I would feel anxious and I always felt the Cat in the Hat was just plain selfish.
*personal note: My mother was very laid back and so I don't know why I had this anxiety issue, I think I would be OCD if I wasn't so lazy when it comes t More...
*personal note: My mother was very laid back and so I don't know why I had this anxiety issue, I think I would be OCD if I wasn't so lazy when it comes t More...
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Feb 06, 2012
Prashant
rated it:
I am 24 and I still had fun reading Dr.Seuss for the first time. Is it that cuckoo? I don't know but I loved it :)
We all have a child hidden in us. Some of us like to flaunt it and get it called cuteness and some are called immature. I am among those who like to put their guards down once in a while to enjoy the innocence and straight forwardness of the simpler times.
The book is the story of two kids who being alone at home are visited by a cat in the hat. The cat plays games with t More...
We all have a child hidden in us. Some of us like to flaunt it and get it called cuteness and some are called immature. I am among those who like to put their guards down once in a while to enjoy the innocence and straight forwardness of the simpler times.
The book is the story of two kids who being alone at home are visited by a cat in the hat. The cat plays games with t More...
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Nov 28, 2011
Katelyn
rated it:
1. Controlled Vocabulary
2. Sally and her brother are cooped up inside on a rainy day. A cat in a hat shows up, and turns their rainy day upside down.
3. A- The rhyming is consistent, and the wording is simple. It will be an easy read for beginners.
B-This is a classic Dr. Seuss book, and there are many strong points that relate to the text. The rhyme, and the repetition in some cases, are helpful for young readers or listeners. The pattern becomes fam More...
2. Sally and her brother are cooped up inside on a rainy day. A cat in a hat shows up, and turns their rainy day upside down.
3. A- The rhyming is consistent, and the wording is simple. It will be an easy read for beginners.
B-This is a classic Dr. Seuss book, and there are many strong points that relate to the text. The rhyme, and the repetition in some cases, are helpful for young readers or listeners. The pattern becomes fam More...
Nov 28, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
I have always LOVED this book and still to this day think it is one of the best books for children and adults. Children of all ages will love this book because it is fun to read with all of the rhyming and repetition. It is also a great easy-going book about a talking and human-like cat that comes to rescue a struggling family of a young brother and sister and their busy, working, and divorced mother. The cat appears and shows the children how to have good, clean, fun while also teaching them va
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Nov 03, 2011
Kristina
rated it:
Genre: Controlled Vocabulary Picture Book
Sally and her brother’s plans for the day were ruined when the weather wasn’t cooperating. Forced to stay inside, they were afraid their day would be filled with boredom. However, they get a surprise visitor that completely turns their day around in many ways they would never expect.
a.) A major strength of this book is the style of the illustrations, as well as the colors used in the illustrations.
b.) Although the illustratio More...
Sally and her brother’s plans for the day were ruined when the weather wasn’t cooperating. Forced to stay inside, they were afraid their day would be filled with boredom. However, they get a surprise visitor that completely turns their day around in many ways they would never expect.
a.) A major strength of this book is the style of the illustrations, as well as the colors used in the illustrations.
b.) Although the illustratio More...
Oct 25, 2011
Hannah
rated it:
Growing up as a child, Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss was my favorite book to read. It's amazing to see that children are still mystified by this book and it still remains an icon in the easy to read books category. Dr. Seuss, is one of the most genius writers of my generation and this book is yet another perfect example of his mystical creativity and his amazing rhythm and rhyme. One of the key components of Dr. Seuss books is his ability to not only invent words, but create addicting rhythms and
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Oct 17, 2011
Davina
rated it:
1) Picture Book-Controlled Vocabulary
2) Sally and her brother sit alone in their home until a cat entered the house and turned their boring day upside down. The Cat in the Hat brought tons of chaos, but at the end of the day, Sally and her brother experienced more chaos and excitement in one day than one would in a lifetime.
3a) The use of color; Interest level
3b) The use of blue, red, white, and black mixed in many different ways is very interesting. Even though the More...
2) Sally and her brother sit alone in their home until a cat entered the house and turned their boring day upside down. The Cat in the Hat brought tons of chaos, but at the end of the day, Sally and her brother experienced more chaos and excitement in one day than one would in a lifetime.
3a) The use of color; Interest level
3b) The use of blue, red, white, and black mixed in many different ways is very interesting. Even though the More...
Oct 11, 2011
Jeannie
rated it:
Citation: The Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss, (Random House, 1957), 61p. Picture Book
Genre: Controlled Vocabulary-Picture book
Summary: This story is about two children who are moping because it is a rainy day and they cannot go outside, when a cat enters to show them his idea of fun playing inside.
Critique: (a) I really like how the illustrations help support the mood and sense of tension in this book.
(b) The use of long thin diagonal lines helps create an unwan More...
Genre: Controlled Vocabulary-Picture book
Summary: This story is about two children who are moping because it is a rainy day and they cannot go outside, when a cat enters to show them his idea of fun playing inside.
Critique: (a) I really like how the illustrations help support the mood and sense of tension in this book.
(b) The use of long thin diagonal lines helps create an unwan More...
Jul 05, 2011
Phyllisramirez
rated it:
As a kid this book always made me anxious. The house gets completely messed up, the cat is emotionally manipulative, and the moral of the story seems to be that it's okay for people to do crazy shit to you (and ignore your repeated pleas for them to stop) so long as they eventually knock it off and clean up the mess. After all, it was all in the spirit of good fun, right?
Even as an adult, I find this book a dark and uncomfortable read. The children are smiling in the end (and More...
Jun 14, 2011
Amy
rated it:
This is one of those books I've heard about all my life and never read. A friend mentioned it and said she didn't like it because the cat was creepy. Surely, I wouldn't feel the same way, I thought. I wonder what I would have thought about this book without being jaded by her response to the a strange man (the cat in the hat) waltzing in when 2 kids' parents aren't home and wreaking havoc on their house. I suppose the ending leaves an opening to explain to kids that you don't invite strangers in
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Jun 05, 2011
David
rated it:
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss is a classic beginning reader that children have loved for over 50 years. While most kids love its disobedience theme, it may stress other children (or adults) out, who might worry about the condition of the house and the trouble the children may get into.
The rhyming text is fun both to listen to and to read aloud. The repetition is perfect for beginning readers. The characters of the Cat and Thing One and Thing Two are fun and memorable ones.
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The rhyming text is fun both to listen to and to read aloud. The repetition is perfect for beginning readers. The characters of the Cat and Thing One and Thing Two are fun and memorable ones.
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Mar 05, 2011
Cheryl
rated it:
This book demonstrates that a limited vocabulary doesn't mean that the story must be dull (Look, Jane, Look!). I also love the very transgressive Cat. Much like Bugs Bunny, the Cat is well-meaning (mostly) but full of jokes and tricks.
What disturbs me are the many reviewers who seem terribly concerned by the lack of supervision (it's a fantasy, folks!). In most classic children's literature, parents and other adults seem to be absent for one reason or another and children get to have More...
What disturbs me are the many reviewers who seem terribly concerned by the lack of supervision (it's a fantasy, folks!). In most classic children's literature, parents and other adults seem to be absent for one reason or another and children get to have More...
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Feb 09, 2011
Leftbanker
rated it:
I have rediscovered The Cat in the Hat after giving it to some friends here who are learning English. This book and the sequel, The Cat in the Hat Comes back still make me laugh out loud when I read them. It is interesting to me from a linguistic point of view that students of English have quite a bit of difficulty with this children’s book. The vocabulary is easy but the word play and the rhyming drives non-English speakers crazy. I tell them that this book is used to teach native speakers to r
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Jan 25, 2010
Esmoi
rated it:
As a kid this book always made me anxious. The house gets completely messed up, the cat is emotionally manipulative, and the moral of the story seems to be that it's okay for people to do crazy shit to you (and ignore your repeated pleas for them to stop) so long as they eventually knock it off and clean up the mess. After all, it was all in the spirit of good fun, right?
Even as an adult, I find this book a dark and uncomfortable read. The children are smiling in the end (and I think More...
Even as an adult, I find this book a dark and uncomfortable read. The children are smiling in the end (and I think More...
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Apr 29, 2009
I also like that the Cat in the Hat comes back another time(that's like the book's name). I wish I could meet the Cat and the Hat....... *POOF!* The Cat in the Hat appears! "Whew! I spent miles and miles to get to you and this is the welcome I get???" *Everyone bows to The Cat in the Hat except for Niko(in the Percy Jackson series)* "Niiiikkkkoooo!!!!!!! Why aren't you bowing down to meeee????" *Niko shrugs* "My back hurts today. You see, I am an old 90 year old
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Sep 16, 2008
Lafcadio
rated it:
Quite popular, but nowhere near my favorite Seuss book. The character of the cat has always made me uncomfortable. The cat wants to do things that the children know are wrong, but the cat shows no responsibility and doesn't care about consequences. As a child (and as an adult) I have encountered people like that: people whose idea of fun just rubs me the wrong way. It makes me not want to spend time with them again, or at least only spend time with them in someone else's house.
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Jan 20, 2010
Andrew
rated it:
Summary: This is a great story about a brother and sister home alone on a rainy day with nothing to do. These children just sit starring out the window at the rain when suddenly a tall cat in a hat comes barging in the house. The cat in the hat tries to create some fun and excitement for these children which soon leads to disaster. This is a great book for children.
Written By Dr. Seuss
Audience: Grades K-4
Genre: Picture Book
Social Issues: I be More...
Written By Dr. Seuss
Audience: Grades K-4
Genre: Picture Book
Social Issues: I be More...
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Dec 08, 2010
Chris
rated it:
Seuss, Dr. The Cat in the Hat (1957)
This classic reader was written in 1957 as a protest to the mundane “Dick and Jane” books of the day. Using just a few beginning reader words, Dr. Seuss creates a story with a plot and excitement. The children in the story are unconventional in that they are somewhat naughty and daring by letting the cat in while their mother is away. This is definitely something that Dick and Jane would never do! The rhyming element of the words makes the text eas More...
This classic reader was written in 1957 as a protest to the mundane “Dick and Jane” books of the day. Using just a few beginning reader words, Dr. Seuss creates a story with a plot and excitement. The children in the story are unconventional in that they are somewhat naughty and daring by letting the cat in while their mother is away. This is definitely something that Dick and Jane would never do! The rhyming element of the words makes the text eas More...
Nov 28, 2011
Tonya
rated it:
Easy to read Classics
This book is about a brother and sister who are left at home while their mother goes to work. While they are at home, a cat in a tall striped red and white hat appears. He causes chaos in the household doing things like ballancing on a ball and balancing a teacup to impress the children. The family pet, which is a fish hates the cat. He disagrees with everything that the cat does and wants the cat to leave. He is right in wanting the cat gone because he mak More...
This book is about a brother and sister who are left at home while their mother goes to work. While they are at home, a cat in a tall striped red and white hat appears. He causes chaos in the household doing things like ballancing on a ball and balancing a teacup to impress the children. The family pet, which is a fish hates the cat. He disagrees with everything that the cat does and wants the cat to leave. He is right in wanting the cat gone because he mak More...
Sep 03, 2010
Jesse
rated it:
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Jun 21, 2010
Patricia
rated it:
Seuss, Dr. The Cat in the Hat. New York: Random House, 1957. Print.
The Cat in the Hat is the story of two younger children, Sally and her brother (her brother being the narrator who never tells his name), and a Cat in a hat. The two children are staying home one rainy day wondering what they possibly do, when a cat in a hat comes to their door and offers them ‘Lots of good fun.’ From the second the cat is in the house he causes a storm of disaster with his friend’s thing one and thing tw More...
The Cat in the Hat is the story of two younger children, Sally and her brother (her brother being the narrator who never tells his name), and a Cat in a hat. The two children are staying home one rainy day wondering what they possibly do, when a cat in a hat comes to their door and offers them ‘Lots of good fun.’ From the second the cat is in the house he causes a storm of disaster with his friend’s thing one and thing tw More...
