A couple of weeks ago our pediatrician made the suggestion that it would be helpful for Hebrew language acquisition if the older kids would read Dr. Seuss books (in Hebrew) to the younger ones, and she wrote the title of her very favorite book down on the prescription slip she handed me – Oh the Places You’ll Go.
I had read this book several years ago and been very taken by the depth of it then, and thought about posting my thoughts at that time but never did. In general I think Dr. Seuss is a genius – we currently have a compilation of his longer stories that we checked out from the local public library (they have a small English language section), and every time I read about them – about Horton (power of commitment when no on around you agrees with you or sees what you know to be true), the Sneetches (those who judge themselves as better or worse based on externals), the Zax (when people are stubbornly entrenched in their positions and refuse to budge at a loss to themselves) – I think about what a deep understanding his books reflect of human nature.
But Oh, The Places You’ll Go tops all of these. Though children enjoy the catchy syntax and colorful pictures, it really is more like an understanding of life than a child’s story. I found the following version being read aloud with some sound effects, and listened to it several times after this recent reminder. It’s so true that it made me smile wryly and feel inspired and feel like crying all during six minutes. 🙂
Here’s a link to the lyrics, if you’d like to read them – enjoy! There’s a lot to be gained from it, whether you’re feeling on top of the world or going through hard times.
What do you think of Dr. Seuss books? Have you ever read this particular book, and if so, what did you think of it?
Avivah
This is my all-time favorite book! I used it as the basis for my presentation last month at the Writers Seminar in Jerusalem. It’s the best and most hilarious description of the ups and downs of life (and career).
I’m a fan too.
Yes, this book moves me. It’s so true, encouraging without being overly peppy. It shows the journey of life: on our way up, we’ll have detours and setbacks…but we can keep moving and succeed. I love the message it gives and the way he wrote it to be so catchy is pure genius. Did you ever see this image: http://i.imgur.com/AKDoe.jpg ?
Wow, fabulous image (it didn’t show up for me the first time I clicked on it)! I’ve never seen it but it definitely sums up the powerful messages underlying the stories.
Our local Philarmonic Orchestra recently adapted the Sneetches to music and the result was very similar to your video–they projected the animated book pages on a huge screen and the orchestra played along with the narrator (who, by the way, also sounded A LOT like the guy in your video–I wonder it it was the same person). That being said, I do love Dr Seuss’s books, although over the past few months as I started discovering that most of them have political undertones and implications I am a little less enthused. Thanks for the heads up about this one!
Talya, I don’t know anything about the political undertones of the stories – I’m not sure I want to look into that since I enjoy the stories so much while reading into them my own interpretations!
I actually gave it to one of my bigger kids when they graduated (not the only gift). Love this book!
My faves: As an adult, I love Fox in Socks, hands down! Followed by Mr. Brown can moo, can you? and the classic, Green Eggs and Ham, sometimes called Green Eggs and Lamb if you are makpid about ham ..When I was a kid, I was absolutely fascinated with One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. I guess the commonality from all these works is that I like the alliteration, the nonsense words that sound plausible and the absolute joyous silliness that pervades much of Seuss’s work.
Here’s a heartwarming story about a father’s very touching gift to his daughter, incorporating “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/brenna-martin-graduation-gift-dad_n_1623574.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
Thanks for sharing the link – what a nice idea!