The Crazy Antics of The Cat in the Hat

I imagine that every childhood was delighted with the whimsical tales from Dr. Suess. Dr. Suess has a way to entertain like no other author. His tales are full of odd characters, creative creatures, and rhyming themes. Not to mention, some of Suess' tales tend to go to an unknown place that become nonsense and sometimes a little dark. Regardless of age, gender, or race, these books are a delight to read. They are all timeless classics that will continue to entertain the world for years to come.

I have always enjoyed The Cat in the Hat. He comes to visit Sally and her brother on one wet day. He causes mischief and mayhem, to entertain the young children. Their poor fish spends the day fretting over the events that are taking place. By the time the cat is finished the house is a mess, leaving the others concerned for their mother's return. However, just as quick as the cat messed up the house, he cleans it up just as fast.

I loved reading this book when I was a little girl. This book was simple to read, so I could read it when I was very young. I remember reading it over and over again thinking about how upset I would be if a cat came and messed up my house while my mother way away. I guess you could say I was a major neat freak.

When I think of a book that has the same type of tension that was presented in The Cat in the Hat, I think of the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by: Laura Joffe Numeroff with Illustrations by: Felicia Bond. While reading If You Give a Mouse a Cookie I am reminded of the same tension I felt when I read The Cat in the Hat. Both books have the same theme of things getting more and more complicated. In both stories there is an animal that is controlling a human(s) to meet his/her every need and causing trouble while doing so. Just like the Cat keeps doing more and more tricks, the Mouse keeps asking for more and more things. Both stories create endless circles of nonsense that leave the reader feeling sorry for the human character in the story who has no control of the situation.

Both of the books appeal to young reader's because it is funny to see others in trouble. As young children, we are delighted by other's short falls. I think of how much I laughed when I saw Wile E. Coyote getting smashed by another anvil. The cartoons show it and so do books. The theme of unrealistic nonsense and frustration and children love every minute of it.