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The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library
Why oh why are deserts dry
In this latest installation of the Cat in the Hat's Learning Library, the Cat takes Sally and Dick to explore different kinds of deserts around the world, from the hot, dry Sonoran and Mojavi to the bitter cold Gobi and Antarctica. Young readers learn why deserts are dry, and how plants and animals—including cactus, kangaroos, camels, penguins, roadrunners, and many others—have adapted to survive the unforgiving climate. Also included: how sand dunes are formed; the reason we see mirages, and how shallow water beneath the surface of the ground can create an oasis. Fans of the new PBS preschool science show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (which is based on the Learning Library series) won't want to miss this hot new addition to the series!
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First published January 11, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 11, 2017
Read in big bear on vacation. Kept interest of our 3 year old reader. He had many questions. Great addition to the learning series.
February 23, 2026
My son and I were so excited to find this book! We are trying to read through all these informative Dr. Seuss books and there’s probably close to 40 of them. Overall, it was factual, visually appealing, and fun to read. Would rate it 4/5 stars ⭐️ and recommend for ages 5 and up!
September 11, 2012
Why Oh Why are Deserts Dry? is a wonderful example of how imaginative, yet educational The Cat in the Hat series can be. Exploring the different types of deserts we learn about their inhabitants, why they are climatically dry and how the native animals and plants survive. Through the use of rhyme we are taken to all of the worlds most famous deserts (and some I was unaware of) and are told some fascinating facts by our familiar friends , the Cat in the Hat, Sally and Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Each page is filled with interesting details and vibrant descriptions of deserts and this coupled with the quirky illustrations makes Why are Deserts Dry? a fun read for all ages .
Younger readers may require a two sitting read, as the ideas can be quite overwhelming without further explanation and at 39 pages the rhymes can be a little exhausting. For older readers, such as those aged 8 and above who wish to use this book for independent reading , difficult words are beautifully broken down by Thing 1 & 2 with the use of pronunciation plaques.
Why Are Deserts Dry? Would be a great way to introduce a class project. ICT based research sessions incorporated with geography and mixed material art sessions would enable the class to collectively provide input into a beautiful wall display. For more advanced groups, short rhymes focusing on a specific fact about a desert could be attached to the display.
The Cat in Hat series is always an enjoyable read, but what makes Why Are Deserts Dry? So unique is how it keeps the essence of a Dr Seuss book while still being very informative. Why Are Deserts Dry? Is a complete pleasure to read, but I do advise practising reading aloud as sometimes the more complicated rhymes can cause you to get a little tongue tied.
Enjoy.
Each page is filled with interesting details and vibrant descriptions of deserts and this coupled with the quirky illustrations makes Why are Deserts Dry? a fun read for all ages .
Younger readers may require a two sitting read, as the ideas can be quite overwhelming without further explanation and at 39 pages the rhymes can be a little exhausting. For older readers, such as those aged 8 and above who wish to use this book for independent reading , difficult words are beautifully broken down by Thing 1 & 2 with the use of pronunciation plaques.
Why Are Deserts Dry? Would be a great way to introduce a class project. ICT based research sessions incorporated with geography and mixed material art sessions would enable the class to collectively provide input into a beautiful wall display. For more advanced groups, short rhymes focusing on a specific fact about a desert could be attached to the display.
The Cat in Hat series is always an enjoyable read, but what makes Why Are Deserts Dry? So unique is how it keeps the essence of a Dr Seuss book while still being very informative. Why Are Deserts Dry? Is a complete pleasure to read, but I do advise practising reading aloud as sometimes the more complicated rhymes can cause you to get a little tongue tied.
Enjoy.
January 16, 2013
This is an entertaining and informative book about deserts. With a fun, rhyming narrative, classic Dr. Seuss characters, and colorful background scenes of different deserts, it's a good book to read aloud with children.
I love that it shows how deserts are dry, but not necessarily sandy, that Antarctica is the biggest, driest, desert-like region in the world. I also enjoyed seeing the various plants and animals that exist in desert climates. We enjoyed reading this book together.
I love that it shows how deserts are dry, but not necessarily sandy, that Antarctica is the biggest, driest, desert-like region in the world. I also enjoyed seeing the various plants and animals that exist in desert climates. We enjoyed reading this book together.
March 26, 2016
Ellie read at naptime..krb 3/25/16
December 15, 2019
On the one hand, these educational books starring the Cat in the Hat strike me as odd. I mean, was nobody paying attention to the original book? The Cat in the Hat was the stranger the kids should not have opened the door for.
On the other hand, more importantly, I really did find this to be educational. This is the most interesting book, for any age bracket, on the topic of desert environments I've read. It presented the basic concepts, explained different plants and animals from deserts all over the world, and introduced me to some facts I didn't know.
On the other other hand, the rhyming was not handled skillfully. I miss the real Dr. Seuss.
On the other hand, more importantly, I really did find this to be educational. This is the most interesting book, for any age bracket, on the topic of desert environments I've read. It presented the basic concepts, explained different plants and animals from deserts all over the world, and introduced me to some facts I didn't know.
On the other other hand, the rhyming was not handled skillfully. I miss the real Dr. Seuss.
October 15, 2023
I'm so proud you read "Why Oh Why are Deserts Dry?: All About Deserts" by Tish Rabe. This book teaches us to appreciate different environments' unique beauty and challenges, particularly deserts.
You've learned that deserts are not empty places but are full of life and adaptations, showing that beauty and resilience can be found in the most unexpected places.
Keep up the good reading, sweetheart.
Love,
Father & Mother
You've learned that deserts are not empty places but are full of life and adaptations, showing that beauty and resilience can be found in the most unexpected places.
Keep up the good reading, sweetheart.
Love,
Father & Mother
June 21, 2018
What a super little find in my random library book selection. Tish Rabe wrote such an interesting book on why deserts are dry. A very informative book, discussing the different deserts, animals and plants in that particular desert and very interesting facts that I found really super to read. Well worth the read.
March 15, 2021
I loved this book. It's a great book for a science lesson. The pictures really appeal to all ages. I think kids will love the rhyme of the book. This book may be difficult to understand for younger children with the vocabulary being pretty advanced. However it's a great book for curious older children and can further broaden their knowledge and vocabulary.
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February 20, 2022This was so cute and fun.
I loved the rhyming style that's reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and the illustrations fit perfectly and helped explain many of the topics covered.
This is a great introduction for kids to get a brief overview of deserts and the various different types as well as the plants and animals that live there.
I would definitely recommend this.
I loved the rhyming style that's reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and the illustrations fit perfectly and helped explain many of the topics covered.
This is a great introduction for kids to get a brief overview of deserts and the various different types as well as the plants and animals that live there.
I would definitely recommend this.
March 13, 2020
We read this for Read Across America Day / Dr. Seuss's birthday (2020) because we'd read books set in the desert and seen quite a few movies set in the desert as well. These books are always educational in the typical Suess rhyming style.
April 7, 2021
I'm a sucker for bouncy rhymes that are fun to read aloud--especially when they teach about science! This one showed adaptations of plants and animals and would be a great addition to my classroom library.
January 15, 2020
Just use few mins to finish this book. Very good children book, lots of science information in there to let people to understand with pictures. Very good.
January 27, 2020
Interesting
May 18, 2020
Good stuff!
I got the book for free, but it would be well worth the price of other Cat in the Hat early readers. Very entertaining and well illustrated.
I got the book for free, but it would be well worth the price of other Cat in the Hat early readers. Very entertaining and well illustrated.
December 26, 2024
The flow of the rhymes are terrible and wow, rhyming "it" with "it".
June 15, 2025
Got it for the gk’s but I learned a lot!
October 19, 2018
Love it!
December 27, 2016
Through the use of rhyme, in an extremely creative manner the Cat in the Hat presents the big deserts of the world describing climate, inhabitants and flora. By the end of the book all readers will know how animals and plants adapted to tough conditions of living in The Sonoran Desert, Namib Desert, Sahara, Mojave Desert, Gobi Desert and Antarctica.
See the complete review on the blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
See the complete review on the blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
February 19, 2025
The Cat in the Hat takes the reader on an educational journey through deserts, in rhyme and descriptive illustrations. Some words are also shown phonetically, such as mo-HA-vee (Mojave). Included are Sonoran Desert, Namib Desert, Sahara Desert, Mojave Desert, Antarctica, and the fascinating details of wildlife that live in them and how they survive. Very interesting book that my 3 1/2-year-old grandson really enjoyed.
September 8, 2013
I prefer more realistic illustrations and straightforward prose.
June 2, 2015
Good children's book
September 20, 2015
A brief overview of deserts and various plants / animals that are found in them.
October 4, 2016
Knowledgeable book for kids
May 28, 2012
Always like these Cat in the Hat Learning Library books
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews