How many Dr. Seuss books can you name? Theodor Seuss Geisel, the Pulitzer Prize and Emmy award-winning author known as Dr. Seuss, penned over 60 books during his lifetime. His timeless children’s books are loved by people across generations, and he is the inspiration behind Read Across America Day, which is celebrated on March 2, Dr. Suess’s birthday.
In honor of Read Across America Day and National Reading Month, here are 13 Dr. Seuss books to add to your child’s library.
Happy Birthday To You!
Featuring the Great Birthday Bird of Katroo—and gifts such as a time-telling fish, or flowers that smell like licorice and cheese—this bestselling birthday book is a great way to remind your kids to celebrate their uniqueness every year.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
A classic in both print and film, this heartwarming tale teaches kids to focus on more than gifts and wish lists for Santa during the holiday season. The Grinch, his dog, Cindy Lou and the Who’s in Who-ville show that family and friends are more important than wealth.
Hop on Pop
The short, easy-to-read rhymes in Hop on Pop are sure to delight your youngest reader and make them feel more confident reading. Plus, the phonics and rhymes are an easy way to sneak a vocabulary lesson into story time.
Horton Hears a Who!
In the Jungle of Nool, Horton the elephant hears a tiny cry for help coming from a speck of dust. He can’t see who it is (though it turns out to be the residents of Who-ville), but protects the small village anyway. A great lesson for kids about kindness and helping others, which was also made into a movie featuring Jim Carrey and Steve Carell.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
An empowering story of self-reliance, Oh, the Places You’ll Go teaches kids that with the brains in their heads and the feet in their shoes, they can steer the direction of their lives. By reminding them of life’s great balancing act, young readers will learn to move forward with confidence and curiosity.
Yertle the Turtle
In this fable, Yertle the Turtle wants a higher throne and to expand his living area beyond his pond to feel more powerful. But a smaller turtle named Mack reminds him what happens when you become too big—and that all turtles should ultimately be free.
The Cat in the Hat
When Dick and Sally find themselves trapped indoors on a rainy day, the Cat in the Hat shows up with Thing 1 and Thing 2 for some afternoon fun. Featuring 236 first and second-grade level words, it makes a great weekend read for new readers.
The Lorax
This classic follows The Lorax, a character who speaks for the trees, and the Once-ler, a greedy businessman who makes Thneeds out of Truffula Trees in a quest to become wealthy. A great read for budding environmentalists, the Lorax teaches him how his actions are harming local fish and ponds, and how planting a seed and treating it with care can make a difference.
Green Eggs and Ham
While you can read this to your youngest kids for the illustrations and rhymes, waiting until they’re a bit older is worth it so they can understand the plot. The main character is followed by Sam-I-am, who tries to get him to eat green eggs and ham in various places. After much refusal, he does…and is surprised at how much he likes them. Great if you need help convincing picky eaters to try something new.
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
This childhood classic features Seuss’s signature rhymes and characters like the bumpy Wump, the singing Ying, and the winking Yink who drinks pink ink. A great way to enjoy some giggles with kids while teaching opposites and counting.
Bartholomew and the Oobleck
A creative tale involving the natural elements of rain, sunshine, fog and snow, Bartholomew and the Oobleck’s King Derwin of Didd makes sticky green goo fall from the sky. But when pageboy Bartholomew alerts him to the problems it is causing, the King apologizes for his actions. A teaching tale about greed, desire, authority and the environment.
The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories
If you’ve read every Seuss classic and are looking for hidden gems, this collection of seven stories originally published in magazines will be a great addition to your shelf. In addition to trademark illustrations and rhymes, the stories explore themes of imagination, greed, career and individuality.
Dr. Seuss’s Horse Museum
A non-fiction book featuring Seuss’s sketches discovered in 2013, this book takes children to a museum with a horse as a guide and teaches them how to appreciate art in new ways. A great gift for the budding artists in your family to encourage the creative process.
