The+Sneetches

The Sneetches **Written and Illustrated By Dr. Seuss **

Bibliographic data
The Sneetches- Dr. Seuss Publisher: Random House; 1st.Ed., edition (August 12, 1961) Hardcover: $ 14.99(amazon.com) ISBN-13:978-0394800899 Pages: 72 Age Range: 6+ Language: English

Summary:
The Sneetches is a picture book about two different groups of Sneetches, fictional beings, those with stars and those without. The Plain-Belly Sneetches are left out of many activities and thought to be of a lower class. They are not allowed to do the activities the Star-Bellied Sneetches can. A man with a machine changes the Plain-Bellied Sneetches into Star-Bellied Sneetches. The story follows all the Sneetches as they try to be the same as the others or are trying to distance themselves from the lesser Sneetches. In the end the Sneetches realize it doesn’t matter if you have a star or not, they are all Sneetches and should treat each other equally.

Book Review:
I enjoy this book immensely, especially for a multicultural lesson. The silly words and rhymes excite children while still relaying the message of equality. The illustrations are whimsical and descriptive. The simplistic pictures show the emotions of the characters expertly. I would have preferred a longer conclusion, perhaps one that is more explicit. The majority of the book is focused on the Sneetches wanting to change themselves. Only the final page shows their quick realization that the differences in appearance do not and should not matter. This book is a good starting point for talking about feelings and emotions by focusing on how the Sneetches felt. This book could introduce the topic of fairness and equality. Overall, this book is a wonderful way to teach about differences in kindergarten and first grade classrooms.

Author Biography:
Dr. Seuss was born in Springfield, Massachusetts as Theodor Geisel on March 2, 1904. He graduated from Dartmouth College and went on to study at Oxford, though not completing his degree. He met his future wife while studying in England. They returned to America and Geisel continued his work as a cartoonist. He began to write and illustrate children’s books. Overall he wrote and illustrated 44 books. He was a Pulitzer Prize winning author as well as having three Caldecott Honors. Dr. Seuss died in 1991 but his stories and inspirational imagination live on in the hearts of generations of enthralled readers. Other popular books by Dr. Seuss include //The Cat in the Hat//, //Green Eggs and Ham//, and //How the Grinch Stole Christmas//.

Literary Element Analysis: Theme
This book has an overarching theme of equality and embracing differences. In the beginning the Plain-Bellied Sneetches desire to have stars as they see the Star-Bellied Sneetches have more privileges. The Star-Bellied Sneetches want to be different than the other Sneetches as they covet being superior. All the Sneetches try to change themselves to resemble or avoid the other Sneetches. In the end the Sneetches recognize that their appearances should not have bearing on their privileged or rights. They should not judge others by their appearances. This book is an excellent way to introduce the themes of equality and fairness in the elementary school classroom, especially in kindergarten. This is also an excellent way to talk to a class about not excluding their peers or judging them based on how they look.

Related Links:
[|Amazon]

[|Dr. Seuss Site]

[|The Sneetches Video]

By Kimberly Osga