Title: Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Seuss
First published June 1, 1960
64 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780394800165 (ISBN10: 0394800168)
Rating: 4.3
Overview
“Have you tried green eggs and ham?” asks Sam-I-am in this timeless classic by Dr. Seuss. Would you eat them in a car or at a bar?
With a goat or on a boat? Sam’s persistence in offering this unusual dish is met with resistance.
But with his rhymes and wacky characters, he’ll convince you to give it a chance. With simple words and illustrations, Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book has become a staple in children’s literature.
Join Sam-I-am on his quest to prove that green eggs and ham are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed anywhere and everywhere.
About the Author
Theodore Seuss Geisel was born on March 2nd, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1925, he went on to Oxford University with the goal of earning a literature doctorate.
It was at Oxford where he met his future wife, Helen Palmer, whom he married in 1927. When Geisel returned from Europe in 1927, he began submitting cartoons and humorous articles to Judge, which was America’s leading humor magazine at the time.
He also submitted his works to Life, Vanity Fair, and Liberty. In some of his pieces, he referenced an insecticide named Flit, which caught the attention of many and landed him a contract to draw comic ads for Flit.
This partnership lasted 17 years, earned him national fame, and coined the iconic catchphrase, “Quick, Henry, the Flit!”
In 1936, while on his way to Europe for vacation, Geisel came up with the idea for And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, inspired by the rhythm of the ship’s engines. Unfortunately, the first 43 publishers he showed it to rejected it.
In 1937, a friend eventually published the book, and it achieved at least moderate success.
During World War II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood, where he wrote for Frank Capra’s Signal Corps Unit (earning him the Legion of Merit) and produced documentaries (earning him Oscars for Hitler Lives and Design for Death). He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing, which also won him an Oscar.
In May of 1954, Life published a report on illiteracy among school children, which revealed that children were struggling to read because their books were uninteresting. Geisel’s publisher then sent him a list of 400 important words and asked him to shorten it to 250 words, which was the maximum amount a first-grader could comprehend.
He was then tasked with writing a book. Nine months later, Geisel published The Cat in the Hat, which became an instant success.
In 1960, Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn’t write an entire book using only 50 words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham.
However, Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.
Geisel’s first wife, Helen Palmer Geisel, passed away in 1967. He then married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968.
Geisel passed away on September 24th, 1991. He also worked under the pen name, Dr. Seuss.
Editoral Review
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss is a beloved children’s book that has stood the test of time. First published in 1960, it remains a classic today.
Dr. Seuss, also known as Theodore Geisel, was a prolific writer and illustrator of children’s books. The book is a rhyming story that tells the tale of Sam-I-Am, a persistent character who insists that another character, simply known as “the guy,” try green eggs and ham.
The guy initially refuses, but Sam-I-Am follows him everywhere, relentlessly trying to persuade him to eat the strange dish. In the end, the guy gives in and tries the green eggs and ham, only to discover that he actually likes them.
One of the strengths of Green Eggs and Ham is its imaginative use of language. Dr. Seuss creates a whole new world of made-up foods and creatures, transporting readers to a colorful and whimsical place.
The rhyme scheme is also impressive, as the story is told entirely in rhyming couplets. This adds to the book’s charm and makes it fun to read aloud.
The book also has a deeper message about the importance of being open-minded and trying new things. The guy is initially resistant to trying the green eggs and ham because they are unfamiliar to him.
However, once he gives them a chance, he discovers that he likes them. This is a valuable lesson for children and adults alike.
One potential criticism of Green Eggs and Ham is that it may not be a suitable book for all children. The rhyme scheme and made-up words could be difficult for some younger readers to follow.
Additionally, the book’s message about trying new things may not resonate with every child. Overall, Green Eggs and Ham is a delightful children’s book that has stood the test of time.
Its imaginative use of language and important message about being open-minded make it a valuable addition to any child’s library. It also has historical significance, as it was published during a time when there was a push for greater diversity and openness in society, and continues to be relevant today.
This book is highly recommended for children ages three to seven, and even parents may find themselves enjoying it as well.
