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The Cat in the Hat
I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!
In Seuss's familiar rhymed couplets and illustrations, the Cat in the Hat shows Young Cat some wonderful stuff about reading with both eyes open.--School Library Journal. Full-color illustrations.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
169 people are currently reading
7413 people want to read
About the author
Dr. Seuss
968 books18.3k followersAlso wrote as Theodore Seuss Geisel, see https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born 2 March 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1925, and proceeded on to Oxford University with the intent of acquiring a doctorate in literature. At Oxford he met Helen Palmer, who he wed in 1927. He returned from Europe in 1927, and began working for a magazine called Judge, the leading humor magazine in America at the time, submitting both cartoons and humorous articles for them. Additionally, he was submitting cartoons to Life, Vanity Fair and Liberty. In some of his works, he'd made reference to an insecticide called Flit. These references gained notice, and led to a contract to draw comic ads for Flit. This association lasted 17 years, gained him national exposure, and coined the catchphrase "Quick, Henry, the Flit!"
In 1936 on the way to a vacation in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 43 publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.
During World War II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's 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 concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Geisel's publisher, and prompted him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat , which went on to instant success.
In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham . Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.
Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.
Also worked under the pen name: Theo Le Sieg
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born 2 March 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1925, and proceeded on to Oxford University with the intent of acquiring a doctorate in literature. At Oxford he met Helen Palmer, who he wed in 1927. He returned from Europe in 1927, and began working for a magazine called Judge, the leading humor magazine in America at the time, submitting both cartoons and humorous articles for them. Additionally, he was submitting cartoons to Life, Vanity Fair and Liberty. In some of his works, he'd made reference to an insecticide called Flit. These references gained notice, and led to a contract to draw comic ads for Flit. This association lasted 17 years, gained him national exposure, and coined the catchphrase "Quick, Henry, the Flit!"
In 1936 on the way to a vacation in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 43 publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.
During World War II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's 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 concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Geisel's publisher, and prompted him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat , which went on to instant success.
In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham . Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.
Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.
Also worked under the pen name: Theo Le Sieg
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 721 reviews
February 27, 2021
My daughter is three and has just discovered a love of Dr. Seuss. While we read Fox in Socks before (and it was one she loved) we didn't really explore his books much as her attention span leaned towards much shorter books. Now though, she's been delighting in his rhymes, nonsense and pictures.
This one is an interesting as it is one of the few I do not remember reading when I was a kid. As such I almost didn't pick it up for her on our trip to the bookstore as, yes, I confess, I was purchasing based on nostalgia. That said, she wanted to read it because there was a "baby Cat in the Hat" on the cover and so we picked this up as well. After reading it I still did not remember it leading me to believe that it was not in my collection as a child, but honestly I found it to be one of the more charming books of his.
The book is aimed at creating a love of reading. It explores the possibilities of imagination and what one can learn if they only they open their eyes. Or as he wonderfully sums up:
"The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
This one is an interesting as it is one of the few I do not remember reading when I was a kid. As such I almost didn't pick it up for her on our trip to the bookstore as, yes, I confess, I was purchasing based on nostalgia. That said, she wanted to read it because there was a "baby Cat in the Hat" on the cover and so we picked this up as well. After reading it I still did not remember it leading me to believe that it was not in my collection as a child, but honestly I found it to be one of the more charming books of his.
The book is aimed at creating a love of reading. It explores the possibilities of imagination and what one can learn if they only they open their eyes. Or as he wonderfully sums up:
"The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
March 31, 2022
“Si lees con los ojos cerrados sin duda descubrirás que el lugar adonde ibas se ha quedado muy atrás.”
Spanish read for homeschooling.
This was MY first Dr. Seuss in Spanish and it is very different than reading it in English. In English I feel funny and silly but in Spanish it didn’t have the same vibe. But we really enjoyed it.
Dr. Seuss always has important topics in an easy kid tone.
Moraleja de la historia? Leer es muy importante para no ser un pendejo
Moral of the story? Reading is important as to not be an idiot in life
Spanish read for homeschooling.
This was MY first Dr. Seuss in Spanish and it is very different than reading it in English. In English I feel funny and silly but in Spanish it didn’t have the same vibe. But we really enjoyed it.
Dr. Seuss always has important topics in an easy kid tone.
Moraleja de la historia? Leer es muy importante para no ser un pendejo
Moral of the story? Reading is important as to not be an idiot in life
June 23, 2023
5 stars. Well, this is an ADORABLE book about reading with SO many good quotes and I really need a print copy. ;)
My favourite quotes?
“You have to be a speedy reader,
’Cause there’s so, so much to read!”
😉
My favourite quotes?
“You have to be a speedy reader,
’Cause there’s so, so much to read!”
😉
December 7, 2016
No importa cuándo, no importa cómo, lo importante es leer.
Un mensaje muy profundo en un relato muy corto.
Un mensaje muy profundo en un relato muy corto.
March 16, 2015
Haha, one of my sons claimed he COULD read with his eyes shut (because he read the same book every day for a month) so I got this book and he had to read with his eyes OPEN. Oh, it's so fun being a parent.
Anyway, this is a good book for beginning readers because, like almost all Seuss books, he focuses on the most common words we use. The pictures are fun and the story is silly so little ones like to listen to it as well.
Anyway, this is a good book for beginning readers because, like almost all Seuss books, he focuses on the most common words we use. The pictures are fun and the story is silly so little ones like to listen to it as well.
October 26, 2017
5 HERMOSAS Y PERFECTAS STARS
A mi nena de 3 años le encanta este libro
Y yo lo ame, es mi favorito de Dr. Seuss, el mensaje es simple, divertido y muy muy importante, ya que es referente a todo lo positivo de la lectura.
"The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
A mi nena de 3 años le encanta este libro
Y yo lo ame, es mi favorito de Dr. Seuss, el mensaje es simple, divertido y muy muy importante, ya que es referente a todo lo positivo de la lectura.
March 3, 2018
Lovely book for kids to know about reading and how important it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXquS...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXquS...
October 18, 2020
I love Dr Seuss's books, and I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! I think it's even more special because it talks about reading and its benefits in a fun way.
March 3, 2018
"The more that you read, the more places you'll know. The more that you know, the more places you'll go."
In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, I decided to pick a book by him. Regardless of the passage of time, his books are classic and timeless. I am well over the age this book is recommended for but I love it anyways. The message hits home for me. Reading is such a big part of my life and Dr. Seuss' words describe the joy of reading in a most accurate way. While short, the book has whimsy and fun, its colorful and puts a big smile on my face. I do not think there will ever be a time when I will tire of reading his work.
In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, I decided to pick a book by him. Regardless of the passage of time, his books are classic and timeless. I am well over the age this book is recommended for but I love it anyways. The message hits home for me. Reading is such a big part of my life and Dr. Seuss' words describe the joy of reading in a most accurate way. While short, the book has whimsy and fun, its colorful and puts a big smile on my face. I do not think there will ever be a time when I will tire of reading his work.
July 14, 2018
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
March 9, 2017
Another goodie by Dr. Seuss. I have not yet mastered that skill-- I would like to see it done though! : )
February 20, 2019
I love this book so much that I might purchase this book!!! It has such a powerful message behind it.
“The more that you read
The more things you will know
The more that you learn
The more places you will go!
If you read with your eyes shut
You’re likely to find
The places you’re going are far, far behind! “
“The more that you read
The more things you will know
The more that you learn
The more places you will go!
If you read with your eyes shut
You’re likely to find
The places you’re going are far, far behind! “
September 1, 2013
Loved this book! It is a fun and creative way to get students excited about learning to read. It gives students ideas about many different reading genres. It teaches students that you can be a part of many adventures through reading.
October 18, 2022
★ 3.5 stars
~
[read with my little brother]
~
liked it as a kid, as an adult not as much :/
~
[read with my little brother]
~
liked it as a kid, as an adult not as much :/
July 28, 2022
We love Dr. Seuss at my house.
January 16, 2012
Dr. Seuss's "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!" is a classic Dr. Seuss book. He uses clever rhyme scheme to create a story that will be appealing to both adults and children of all ages. This book in particular uses anaphora by beginning the majority of the sentences with "I can read". As children read this, they begin to gain more confidence with their reading because they can read, and they are repeatedly saying, "I can read!" One my assume that this book is simply about reading with your eyes closed, but if you look deeper, Dr. Seuss is trying to convey that reading can be fun and you should keep an open mind and let your imagination soar. If you close your eyes or your mind while you read, you will be limited to what the words are saying rather than what the words mean.
"If you read with your eyes shut, you’re likely to find
That the place where you’re going is far, far behind.
So that’s why I tell you to keep your eyes wide,
Keep them wide open ... at least on one side!" (Dr. Seuss)
"If you read with your eyes shut, you’re likely to find
That the place where you’re going is far, far behind.
So that’s why I tell you to keep your eyes wide,
Keep them wide open ... at least on one side!" (Dr. Seuss)
November 2, 2020
Dr. Seuss gives a great message about the benefits of reading. Reading is fun and it brings joy to my life at least and this is what I always tell my non-reader friends.
'The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.'
5 stars
'The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.'
5 stars
November 10, 2019
I did the Cat in the Hat Readathon at a children's party
Fun read
Fun read
October 18, 2025
my son loves reading this book and loves the pictures. he thinks this book is silly and funny and gives it a 5☆
colourful and silly. what more do you wnat from Dr Seuss. Fantastic for learning to read (my son is aged 6)
colourful and silly. what more do you wnat from Dr Seuss. Fantastic for learning to read (my son is aged 6)
December 9, 2014
"You have to be a speedy reader because there's so, so much to read!"
November 6, 2018
This was one of the Dr. Seuss books I missed during my own childhood. Now that I've got kids, I got it from the library to read out loud. It is basically a nonsense book which celebrates reading.
August 13, 2020
Designed for kids, this is a cute little read that actually introduces quite a few complex words for young readers.
February 23, 2024
this book is very misleading. one should not attempt to read with their eyes closed. stay safe y’all ❤️🙏🙏
January 3, 2021
So fun to read a crazy Dr. Seuss book in another language. It's a good tool for me to start grasping vocabulary and grammar (in a poetic way). I needed to read this carefully and make sure I know the translation well so I can explain it to my daughter when I read it to her.
October 25, 2022
Still read this to my small sis
It's a tradition ;)
It's a tradition ;)
July 1, 2025
Contradicting message
October 12, 2011
I read this book because I wanted to read a Dr. Seuss book. It had been years and I wanted to remember why I liked this author so much. I remembered after reading a few of his clever lines but I still gave a low rating on this book. I did this because even though it was entertaining, there are so many more better Dr. Seuss books that I would recommend before this one. The Grinch and The Cat In the Hat are two examples. Still this was a good book and it is good because it motivates kids to read. It tells them about all the cool things they can learn, but don't shut your eyes cause you'll miss the good stuff. Dr. Seuss uses a lot of adjectives and descriptive words. It is not really an informative book, but a motivating book. You know the illustrations your getting into before you read this book. All of Dr. Seuss's books are typically illustrated the same way. Its a good book and a quick read. I would use this in the class room on Dr. Seuss day. Thats when I would use it for a lesson.
September 1, 2014
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut by Dr. Seuss
As a reader, I have made the assumption that everyone loves Dr. Seuss and his rhythmical style stories. This book was no different from his first and last book. Filled with rhymes and goofy illustrations, this book puts a smile on my face. It elaborates on how reading can be enjoyable and it doesn't necessarily mean reading chapter books or old "boring" books. It could be reading anything a reader can find enjoyable or learning something new. I feel that in this story Dr. Seuss is explaining that reading is learning, and you can never stop learning, nor can you ever stop reading.
I personally am not a huge reader, and many people know this. But that doesn't mean I don't. I love learning knew things when I read. I enjoy getting accessible knowledge and learning things I don't already know. From philosophy, to magazine articles, to instructions on how to build a trailer, I'm always reading and learning something.
As a reader, I have made the assumption that everyone loves Dr. Seuss and his rhythmical style stories. This book was no different from his first and last book. Filled with rhymes and goofy illustrations, this book puts a smile on my face. It elaborates on how reading can be enjoyable and it doesn't necessarily mean reading chapter books or old "boring" books. It could be reading anything a reader can find enjoyable or learning something new. I feel that in this story Dr. Seuss is explaining that reading is learning, and you can never stop learning, nor can you ever stop reading.
I personally am not a huge reader, and many people know this. But that doesn't mean I don't. I love learning knew things when I read. I enjoy getting accessible knowledge and learning things I don't already know. From philosophy, to magazine articles, to instructions on how to build a trailer, I'm always reading and learning something.
July 5, 2020
Esta obra es un elogio a la lectura, por un lado,
una invitación, por el otro,
que deja al grande y al chiquito enfrascados
intentando resolver tanto alboroto.
Se puede leer sobre todo,
de esto nadie duda,
lo vital es recordar un poco
en esta vida testaruda,
que no es...
El resto del escrito se encuentra en mi blog: https://jsaaopinionpersonal.wordpress...
una invitación, por el otro,
que deja al grande y al chiquito enfrascados
intentando resolver tanto alboroto.
Se puede leer sobre todo,
de esto nadie duda,
lo vital es recordar un poco
en esta vida testaruda,
que no es...
El resto del escrito se encuentra en mi blog: https://jsaaopinionpersonal.wordpress...
December 16, 2015
Este libro es increíble para leerle a niños de segundo o tercer grado de primaria, siempre y cuando no sólo se les muestren las imágenes sino también que se interactue dentro del margen que el mismo permite.
Entre más se "actue" con el libro, más lo disfrutan los pequeños.
Entre más se "actue" con el libro, más lo disfrutan los pequeños.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 721 reviews