Happy World Book Day! And happy birthday (yesterday) to Dr. Seuss! I'm sure you can ask most anyone what their favorite Dr. Seuss book is, and they will have an answer. Or a memory of a book from their childhood. Or just an overall feeling from how his work made (makes?) them feel.
One of my favorite Dr. Seuss books is a sentimental one for me.
I Wish That I Had Duck Feet (Random House, 1965) was penned under the name Theo LeSieg and was illustrated by B. Tobey, rather than Geisel, himself. In it, a boy wishes for duck feet because of all the fun and special things he could do with them that nobody else could. But then he realizes the problems that could arise from having duck feet, and wishes for other things instead: a whale spout, a long, long tail, horns on top of his head... But they all have their problems, too. In the end, he realizes that being himself is really best of all.
This book isn't just special to me because of its cute story, the rhyme, or the pictures. It's because it is one of the few books I vividly remember my dad reading to me as a kid. When I hear the words and see the pictures today -- even when I pass this book displayed on a stand in a bookstore -- it takes me back. I can see the illustrations and remember how I felt seeing them as a child. I can hear the words, and it's my dad's voice reading them. It feels like I'm laying in bed in my green childhood bedroom, ready to drift off to sleep with nary a care in the world.
This may sound a bit dramatic, but it's true. I can't think of another book that takes me back to my own childhood like this one.
As I grew up and moved away to college, I didn't think much about this book. Then, one birthday, my dad gifted me with my own copy! I was so surprised that you could even still get this book, because I had never heard of anyone else reading it. Now, I see it all the time in bookstores and read it to my own children.
Is there a book in your life that takes you back like this?
~Jen
A popular book in our household -- and one that my parents saved from my sister's and my childhood -- is The Spotted Dotted Puppy. Have you read it?
I just love that colorful, vintage cover! Published in 1961 by Whitman Pub. Co., our copy has seen better days; it is well-loved and has been patched many times. The inside even has my name written by my dad. :)
Written by Steffi Fletcher and illustrated by Art Seiden, The Spotted Dotted Puppy tells the story of four dogs. Three of the dogs believe they are big, fierce animals, and behave accordingly. Their bravado gets them into all kinds of scrapes and they are ultimately apprehended and placed in the zoo.
For years, our family has repeated the mantra of the puppy who thinks he is an elephant:
Such attitude. :)
The spotted, dotted puppy, however, does not think he is anything other than a puppy. He knows exactly what he wants. He looks for a house with a bicycle in front of it, and finds his family.
I really think this book was ahead of its time. It contains themes of self-acceptance, being yourself, and contentment. The ending is so very sweet and satisfying, and the messages in the book make it a joy to read with children. Add to that the sweet, playful illustrations of the dogs and their antics -- set in a time and place that evokes feelings of a simpler time -- and you can understand why this is a favorite.
One last thing: This book is still available for purchase on Amazon! (And maybe elsewhere??) I hope you get a chance to read it!
~Jen
