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Hooray For Diffendoofer Day!
With the release of 'Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!', readers young and old are afforded a dazzling glimpse into the genius of Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel.
This book is based on 14 rough drawings and verses Geisel's secretary gave to the author's editor, Janet Schulman, after his death in 1991.
In these scribbled sketches and scratched-out lines, we witness the Seussian process in building a story. When brainstorming the name of what resulted in the Diffendoofer School, he jots down several possible names—"William Wilkins Woofer Junior," "Woodrow Watkins Woofer," "Zoofendorf Elementary," "J. Ebeneezer Bomberg Jr."—all of a slightly different cadence and rhythm, which he tests like a composer writing a new concerto.
A small collection of Geisel's rough sketches would be plenty to thrill even the Grinchiest of readers, but there's much more to this marvelous book. Renowned children's poet Jack Prelutsky and award-winning illustrator Lane Smith were called to action by Schulman to pull these sketches into a complete story that would make Dr. Seuss fruffulous with glee.
Prelutsky's delicious verse is uncannily Seussian, and it is inexplicably sensational when exploring the Diffendoofer School to discover good old Horton, a platter of green eggs and ham, and a few Whos from Who-ville scattered across the surreal and fascinating landscape of Smith's artwork. Lane and Prelutsky have gone above and beyond the call of duty, maintaining the characters and themes Geisel was just beginning to develop, but enhancing them with their own delightful stylistic stamps.
Above all, this incredible book is an ode to unorthodox, unusually creative teachers, and the innovative thinking they encourage in young minds. It is a noble theme, and one that Geisel surely had in mind when he concocted these preliminary sketches. Both new Dr. Seuss aficionados and those who remember 'The Cat in the Hat's' 1957 debut will cherish this book for its message, artwork, and poetry, and most of all as a tribute to the man who inspired thousands of readers.
Ages: 3 and older
This book is based on 14 rough drawings and verses Geisel's secretary gave to the author's editor, Janet Schulman, after his death in 1991.
In these scribbled sketches and scratched-out lines, we witness the Seussian process in building a story. When brainstorming the name of what resulted in the Diffendoofer School, he jots down several possible names—"William Wilkins Woofer Junior," "Woodrow Watkins Woofer," "Zoofendorf Elementary," "J. Ebeneezer Bomberg Jr."—all of a slightly different cadence and rhythm, which he tests like a composer writing a new concerto.
A small collection of Geisel's rough sketches would be plenty to thrill even the Grinchiest of readers, but there's much more to this marvelous book. Renowned children's poet Jack Prelutsky and award-winning illustrator Lane Smith were called to action by Schulman to pull these sketches into a complete story that would make Dr. Seuss fruffulous with glee.
Prelutsky's delicious verse is uncannily Seussian, and it is inexplicably sensational when exploring the Diffendoofer School to discover good old Horton, a platter of green eggs and ham, and a few Whos from Who-ville scattered across the surreal and fascinating landscape of Smith's artwork. Lane and Prelutsky have gone above and beyond the call of duty, maintaining the characters and themes Geisel was just beginning to develop, but enhancing them with their own delightful stylistic stamps.
Above all, this incredible book is an ode to unorthodox, unusually creative teachers, and the innovative thinking they encourage in young minds. It is a noble theme, and one that Geisel surely had in mind when he concocted these preliminary sketches. Both new Dr. Seuss aficionados and those who remember 'The Cat in the Hat's' 1957 debut will cherish this book for its message, artwork, and poetry, and most of all as a tribute to the man who inspired thousands of readers.
Ages: 3 and older
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
19 people are currently reading
1656 people want to read
About the author
Dr. Seuss
975 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 309 reviews
April 18, 2017
I read this book with two of my students and they loved it.
"Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!" is a book about individuality. Miss Bonkers teaches how to think at a school that allows everyone to be themselves. The students then result in getting the highest test scores, because they are able to pull information from their experiences.
"Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!" is a book about individuality. Miss Bonkers teaches how to think at a school that allows everyone to be themselves. The students then result in getting the highest test scores, because they are able to pull information from their experiences.
March 1, 2016
Oh, no! It's a terrible thing as Dr. Seuss takes a look at conformity versus freedom! Dr. Seuss created Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!, and Jack Prelutsky finished this story while Lane Smith did the illustrations. A picture book for children ages 4–8.
My Take
The kids will love this! There are lots of opportunities for laughing and coming up with ideas for other kinds of classes besides the ones that Miss Bobble and Miss Fribble teach…among others. There's Miss Clotte's overzealousness and Mr. Plunger's inventiveness. Yep, lots of opportunities to be imaginative with the kids!
It's also a chance for the kids to imagine what classes in smelling, tasting, and listening would teach. A chance for parents to come up with unique ideas to get the kids to do what you want them to and good luck with that one!
I do love the colors, they're so softly funky with weird angles to buildings and people and lots of stripes and polka dots and swirlies and whirlies. Smith was definitely influenced by the modern art of his day, lol. I swear, you could spend one day for each spread of pages, stretching the imagination, exploring the bits floating throughout.
The blurb calls it "a joyous ode to individuality, starring an unsinkable teacher named Miss Bonkers and quirky little Diffendoofer School, which must prove it has taught its students how to think."
The individuality is more implied and only becomes obvious [to me!] when Flobbertown comes up.
About half the book (at the back) is devoted to explaining how Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! came to be. It includes Seuss' original drawings, which are very Seuss-like. Quite different from the characters Smith did, and I think I like Smith's better??! I suspect it's the artist side in me, *laughing*.
The names…the names…lol… Oh, yeah, it's a buy for sure!
The Story
Oh, Diffendoofer is the school I'd choose where learning is fun, and it's learning to think. But then the day comes, the day Mr. Lowe has been dreading.
Worried and fretting, he doesn't want Diffendoofer School to close!
The Characters
Diffendoofer School is…
…on the corner of Dinkzoober and Dinkzott in Dinkerville. The teachers include the Misses Bobble, Wobble, Fribble, Quibble, Twining, Vining, and Bonkers (who's different-er than the rest). The sad Mr. Lowe is the worried principal. Miss Clotte is the nurse. Mr. Plunger is the custodian, that's janitor to you and I. Mr. Fox is the music teacher while Mr. Beeze teaches art. Mr. Katz teaches science with his robotic rats. As the gym teacher, Mr. Bear is quite strong. And Miss Loon is quite the opposite of the usual librarian. The three McMunches do the cooking. I don't think the Board of Health would be too happy about all that hair, lol.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a heavy cream color with large darker cream polka dots. The author's name is large in a deep blue while the title is in rust and Miss Bonkers is on the cover in her signature orange and speckled beige striped dress and black high-top shoes. I'd be careful of her mouth though, it's either a zipper or short fangs!
The title is so perfect. It's definitely a Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! as the Diffendoofer students save the day.
My Take
The kids will love this! There are lots of opportunities for laughing and coming up with ideas for other kinds of classes besides the ones that Miss Bobble and Miss Fribble teach…among others. There's Miss Clotte's overzealousness and Mr. Plunger's inventiveness. Yep, lots of opportunities to be imaginative with the kids!
It's also a chance for the kids to imagine what classes in smelling, tasting, and listening would teach. A chance for parents to come up with unique ideas to get the kids to do what you want them to and good luck with that one!
I do love the colors, they're so softly funky with weird angles to buildings and people and lots of stripes and polka dots and swirlies and whirlies. Smith was definitely influenced by the modern art of his day, lol. I swear, you could spend one day for each spread of pages, stretching the imagination, exploring the bits floating throughout.
The blurb calls it "a joyous ode to individuality, starring an unsinkable teacher named Miss Bonkers and quirky little Diffendoofer School, which must prove it has taught its students how to think."
The individuality is more implied and only becomes obvious [to me!] when Flobbertown comes up.
About half the book (at the back) is devoted to explaining how Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! came to be. It includes Seuss' original drawings, which are very Seuss-like. Quite different from the characters Smith did, and I think I like Smith's better??! I suspect it's the artist side in me, *laughing*.
The names…the names…lol… Oh, yeah, it's a buy for sure!
The Story
Oh, Diffendoofer is the school I'd choose where learning is fun, and it's learning to think. But then the day comes, the day Mr. Lowe has been dreading.
Worried and fretting, he doesn't want Diffendoofer School to close!
The Characters
Diffendoofer School is…
…on the corner of Dinkzoober and Dinkzott in Dinkerville. The teachers include the Misses Bobble, Wobble, Fribble, Quibble, Twining, Vining, and Bonkers (who's different-er than the rest). The sad Mr. Lowe is the worried principal. Miss Clotte is the nurse. Mr. Plunger is the custodian, that's janitor to you and I. Mr. Fox is the music teacher while Mr. Beeze teaches art. Mr. Katz teaches science with his robotic rats. As the gym teacher, Mr. Bear is quite strong. And Miss Loon is quite the opposite of the usual librarian. The three McMunches do the cooking. I don't think the Board of Health would be too happy about all that hair, lol.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a heavy cream color with large darker cream polka dots. The author's name is large in a deep blue while the title is in rust and Miss Bonkers is on the cover in her signature orange and speckled beige striped dress and black high-top shoes. I'd be careful of her mouth though, it's either a zipper or short fangs!
The title is so perfect. It's definitely a Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! as the Diffendoofer students save the day.
March 5, 2017
This was the last book Dr. Suess was working on at the time of his death. Left unfinished, this book could have easily been lost, if not for his editor who got two other authors to come in and help finish it. With this said, this is a Dr Suess book and it is not. No one can really finish a work like this and be fully faithful to this literary master. The book is good celebrating diversity in schools. Book has the look and some of the sound of Dr Suess but you can feel the influence of the other two authors. So it is unlike any book of his previous. This should not detract from the book at all. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 27, 2008
Oh, Dear GOD, but every teacher strapped by the standards movement should re-read this book!
July 13, 2018
Picked up this gem at a Goodwill near my house. Turned out to be a first edition - not only that, it has become my daughters FAVORITE book.
April 11, 2022
I remember reading this one about high-stakes testing when it first came out. I loved it at the time. It seemed different from his other books as it didn't feature a cast of creatures who were identified by made-up words. Honestly, I am not sure if I would find it as engaging and entertaining now. The 4 star rating is based on how I remember the book. A reread could change that rating.
March 6, 2012
Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! :) Great illustrations.
June 3, 2015
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. It was one of the reasons I decided being spontaneous isn't a bad thing. I fell in love with this.
May 31, 2023
Love love love this one (obvs it’s Seuss) but its a collaboration to piece together and expand Seuss’s original ideas that were never completed - all explained at the end of the book! The book itself is a wonderful exploration and celebration on what it means to be different!
Read
March 1, 2015The students of Diffendoofer School love their unique and entirely bizarre teachers. They learn in an unconventional way to say the least. Their teachers teach listening, smelling, laughing, yelling, tying knots, how to pepper a pigeon, or how to saddle a leopard or lizard. Miss Bonkers, the narrator’s favorite teacher, teaches everything under the sun. The principal, Mr. Lowe, finds out that the students must take a standardized test to prove they are learning effectively and worries that Diffendoofer School will receive the lowest score of all the schools. This would result in the students being forced to go to “dreary Flobbertown.” None of the teachers worry because they know that they have taught the students how to think rather than just information, and they are right. Diffendoofer School receives the highest score.
Dr. Seuss’s characteristically whimsical illustrations inspire creativity in the reader. They are unconventional in that they convey a large amount of movement. The swirly lines, round shapes, and large objects in comparison to the actual characters make the pictures seem fluid. Their content is also very chaotic, containing many people with entirely different expressions, or strange objects which demonstrates Diffendoofer’s uniqueness, portraying the prominent theme of diversity.
The story itself promotes diversity in learning and teaching. It embraces the differences in each teacher and student and recognizes them as truly individual human beings. It contrasts the negative impacts of breeding conformity in schools versus the positive impacts of breeding diversity. Flobbertown is dreary, each student wears the exact same thing, they all learn the exact same way, and the school is a generally scary looking place as shown in the illustrations through its shades of gray and isolated location. The students fear going here because they will all have to give up themselves. The teachers at Diffendoofer focus not on teaching the same information to each and every student, knowing that that is an ineffective way to promote thinking, but by teaching everything in new and exciting ways that make the process of thinking inviting and exciting which ultimately proves to be more beneficial.
Dr. Seuss’s characteristically whimsical illustrations inspire creativity in the reader. They are unconventional in that they convey a large amount of movement. The swirly lines, round shapes, and large objects in comparison to the actual characters make the pictures seem fluid. Their content is also very chaotic, containing many people with entirely different expressions, or strange objects which demonstrates Diffendoofer’s uniqueness, portraying the prominent theme of diversity.
The story itself promotes diversity in learning and teaching. It embraces the differences in each teacher and student and recognizes them as truly individual human beings. It contrasts the negative impacts of breeding conformity in schools versus the positive impacts of breeding diversity. Flobbertown is dreary, each student wears the exact same thing, they all learn the exact same way, and the school is a generally scary looking place as shown in the illustrations through its shades of gray and isolated location. The students fear going here because they will all have to give up themselves. The teachers at Diffendoofer focus not on teaching the same information to each and every student, knowing that that is an ineffective way to promote thinking, but by teaching everything in new and exciting ways that make the process of thinking inviting and exciting which ultimately proves to be more beneficial.
October 13, 2019
This book is a children's literature book that I would categorize as fantasy. Some could see it as realistic fiction though! It is a fun way to look at characters in school and show the students why it is good to be different. This book could be read to a range of readers. I still love reading this book. I think depending on the type of instruction you want to use it for it could be used for different grade levels. I think it could be a fun book for first grade to see how being different is a good thing. Students are starting to recognize differences here and being influenced by outside sources on how they view differences. It would be great to use in third grade as well, since in the book they are talking about getting ready for a school wide test. Before standardized testing begins you could read this to your class to help them realize they are prepared and there is nothing to worry about. You can also use this book for instruction on word choice or voice. This would be good for 2nd-5th grade. This book uses an array of examples of how the authors word choice and voice gives the story meaning.
This book was a WOW book because it has always stuck with me. I love the examples used in the book and the wording. As a teacher it also makes me laugh thinking of myself as some of the characters or remembering my school and its faculty as a kid and how the characters are described. Dr. Seuss had told his editor he was not sure if teachers would like this book or not, but it always puts a smile on my face when I read it. The story behind the book is great as well. I won't give it away, so go read the book and then there is a section in the back about the story behind it!
This book was a WOW book because it has always stuck with me. I love the examples used in the book and the wording. As a teacher it also makes me laugh thinking of myself as some of the characters or remembering my school and its faculty as a kid and how the characters are described. Dr. Seuss had told his editor he was not sure if teachers would like this book or not, but it always puts a smile on my face when I read it. The story behind the book is great as well. I won't give it away, so go read the book and then there is a section in the back about the story behind it!
February 20, 2010
“Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!” is one of the most unique books created by Dr. Seuss since the book was created after his death and since the book was partially written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Lane Smith. “Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!” is definitely a great book for fans of Dr. Seuss’ books.
Dr. Seuss’ and Jack Prelutsky’s writing combined creates one hilarious and creative story about one of the most inventive and surreal schools in the world. Both Dr. Seuss and Jack Prelutsky get creative when they are describing the inner workings of the strange school, including describing all the teachers in the school such as Miss Bonkers who teaches everything and Mr. Bear who is so strong that he can carry an elephant with one hand. Lane Smith’s illustrations are surreal and colorful making this book extremely interesting to look at and making the characters extremely lively. What was so creative about Lane Smith’s illustrations was that he was able to combine his own illustrated style images with Dr. Seuss’ illustrations, making the two worlds combine beautifully.
“Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!” is definitely Dr. Seuss’ most unique book ever created and it will dazzle many children for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate about this book.
Dr. Seuss’ and Jack Prelutsky’s writing combined creates one hilarious and creative story about one of the most inventive and surreal schools in the world. Both Dr. Seuss and Jack Prelutsky get creative when they are describing the inner workings of the strange school, including describing all the teachers in the school such as Miss Bonkers who teaches everything and Mr. Bear who is so strong that he can carry an elephant with one hand. Lane Smith’s illustrations are surreal and colorful making this book extremely interesting to look at and making the characters extremely lively. What was so creative about Lane Smith’s illustrations was that he was able to combine his own illustrated style images with Dr. Seuss’ illustrations, making the two worlds combine beautifully.
“Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!” is definitely Dr. Seuss’ most unique book ever created and it will dazzle many children for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate about this book.
May 21, 2023
5 stars. I was so delightfully surprised by this book! The original idea was Seuss’s, but when he died, the plot was created by Jack Prelutsky and the illustrations by Lane Smith. Although they were obviously not Suess’s drawings, I honestly didn’t realize the text was not his—Prelutsky copied that matchless style so well!!
I absolutely loved the message of this book. Especially in this time when homeschooling is getting so hard, and public schools are getting worse, this is a message people need to hear: what REALLY matters in education.
Miss Bonkers rose. “Don’t fret!” she said.
“You’ve learned the things you need
To pass that test and many more—
I’m certain you’ll succeed.
We taught you that the earth is round,
That red and white make pink,
And something else that matters more—
We taught you how to think.”
I think every homeschool mother should read this! It was so encouraging and I just wanted to yell out the verses to everyone.
Also, it was fun to see the section at the end with Seuss’s original papers!
Content: euphemisms
I absolutely loved the message of this book. Especially in this time when homeschooling is getting so hard, and public schools are getting worse, this is a message people need to hear: what REALLY matters in education.
Miss Bonkers rose. “Don’t fret!” she said.
“You’ve learned the things you need
To pass that test and many more—
I’m certain you’ll succeed.
We taught you that the earth is round,
That red and white make pink,
And something else that matters more—
We taught you how to think.”
I think every homeschool mother should read this! It was so encouraging and I just wanted to yell out the verses to everyone.
Also, it was fun to see the section at the end with Seuss’s original papers!
Content: euphemisms
November 30, 2018
This book stayed with me from childhood, and today I finally found it (after incorrectly attributing the artwork in my memory to Jon Scieszka). I remember loving Diffendoofer School and its teachers and wanting to go there. I remember being horrified by the school of Flobbertown, with its lack of individuality and black square hats—and if the kids didn’t prove that they had indeed learned, they’d have to go there!
As an adult, I can now enjoy the little truths:
Miss Bonkers rose. “Don’t fret!” she said.
“You’ve learned the things you need
To pass that test and many more—
I’m certain you’ll succeed.
We’ve taught that the earth is round,
That red and white make pink,
And something else that matters more—
We’ve taught you how to think.”
As an adult, I can now enjoy the little truths:
Miss Bonkers rose. “Don’t fret!” she said.
“You’ve learned the things you need
To pass that test and many more—
I’m certain you’ll succeed.
We’ve taught that the earth is round,
That red and white make pink,
And something else that matters more—
We’ve taught you how to think.”
Read
January 30, 2018The last unfinished book by Doctor Seuss about a quirky teacher- ha! Right up my alley as a former art teacher and now homeschool mom. I loved this book because it's about doing things different and teaching kids how to think and be creative vs making everything the same and teaching just to take a test. Shouldn't education be more then just facts? I think so- I want my kids exposed to more then other people's ideas and past wars and memorizing dates they will soon forget, I want to teach them hard work, to think for themselves, to love reading and love learning! What better way to learn that then through a fun & different teacher!!!?
April 7, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked how it was somewhat similar to how school systems are now with testing. This book was about Diffendoofer School. At this school the teachers teach many different things like listening, smelling, laughing, and yelling. The principal announces that the students must take a standardized test that they must pass or else they school will be torn down and they will have to go to a new school. But because the students were encouraged to think they ended up passing the test and were able to stay at the Diffendoofer School.
Read
June 23, 2008A teaching colleague recommended this book recently and I'm so glad she did! This book was a work in progress that Ted never got to finish, but thanks to the efforts of two artful gentlemen and Dr. Seuss's editor, this story was finished and brought to life post-mortem. If you are a teacher in today's test-based pressure cooker, you will appreciate Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
January 21, 2008
OMG...Remember how Mr. Cox would always read this book to us??? :'] good times...
May 31, 2015
Really great to read in the back of the book the details of how this book became about.
June 7, 2018
GENERAL:
- about a school with unconventional teachers that is facing a standardized test
LIKES:
- as an aspiring teacher, I loved this so much and was so inspired. However, I think that everyone, even people who are no longer in school communities, can relate and be inspired by this.
- So fun and smart
DISLIKES:
- not completely written by Dr. Seuss, as he didn't finish it before he died. It was finished by two other writers, who did great jobs but this isn't pure Seuss.
- about a school with unconventional teachers that is facing a standardized test
LIKES:
- as an aspiring teacher, I loved this so much and was so inspired. However, I think that everyone, even people who are no longer in school communities, can relate and be inspired by this.
- So fun and smart
DISLIKES:
- not completely written by Dr. Seuss, as he didn't finish it before he died. It was finished by two other writers, who did great jobs but this isn't pure Seuss.
July 16, 2022
We love Dr. Seuss books! This one is a little long. But very creative and sparks the imagination.
July 20, 2025
not the best Seuss or art
April 21, 2019
How have I never heard of this Dr. Seuss book?
I'm not a big Dr. Seuss fan (I particularly dislike the stories with lots of crazy words and no plot) so when my daughter chose this crazy titled book from the library, I was not super eager to read it and my expectations were low.
As a teacher though, I loved it. And my kids enjoyed it too. It is such a fun way to illustrate the need to keep school fun and meaningful for kids without a stressful, atmosphere that is centered around high stakes testing. Mrs. Bonkers in the story is a bit wacky, but she loves her students and the feeling is mutual.
We reached the end of the story unexpectedly because there were lots of pages remaining, but that is because the end of the book is dedicated to telling you all about how this book was essentially hidden treasure, not discovered or published until after his death.
To me, this makes the book even more special. If I were an elementary classroom teacher, I think it would be fun to make a little treasure hunt with copies of his original sketches, predicting what the story is about and helping to write it a bit just like the actual coauthors did before hearing their actual version.
I'm not a big Dr. Seuss fan (I particularly dislike the stories with lots of crazy words and no plot) so when my daughter chose this crazy titled book from the library, I was not super eager to read it and my expectations were low.
As a teacher though, I loved it. And my kids enjoyed it too. It is such a fun way to illustrate the need to keep school fun and meaningful for kids without a stressful, atmosphere that is centered around high stakes testing. Mrs. Bonkers in the story is a bit wacky, but she loves her students and the feeling is mutual.
We reached the end of the story unexpectedly because there were lots of pages remaining, but that is because the end of the book is dedicated to telling you all about how this book was essentially hidden treasure, not discovered or published until after his death.
To me, this makes the book even more special. If I were an elementary classroom teacher, I think it would be fun to make a little treasure hunt with copies of his original sketches, predicting what the story is about and helping to write it a bit just like the actual coauthors did before hearing their actual version.
July 29, 2018
This is a story about a fictionalized school named "Diffendoofer," the school is very different because of the teachers and the principal. The story mostly focuses on Miss Bonkers, one of the teachers. This book is marketed as a Dr. Suess story, but really, it is the work of Dr. Suess, Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith. Dr. Suess began conceptualizing the story in 1988-89, but passed away before he could finish it. What I like about this book is that the students have to take and pass a test, I assume a standardized test though it is never stated that way, and if they don't pass they will have to go to a different school that is drab and dull and everyone is the same. I love that being at a different school with very different teachers is what helps the students be successful. I don't know if this is a book I would use with my students, but I can see using it in a teaching program with future teachers to remind them to hold on to their unique qualities and use them in the classroom to connect with their students.
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May 1, 2019This is a cute story about a town called Diffendoofer and their school that they have there. The school is amazing and all of their teachers teach in their own unique way! One day the principle says that there needs to be a test given to see if their school passes, and if they don't then the school needs to be torn down. However, after they take the test they find out that they scored the best out of all the schools. It is because their teachers thought them how to think and not just facts.
Since this book is full of rhymes I think that I would include this book during a poetry lesson. I would have the kids break up into groups and come up with a short poem talking about a silly story like this one. Then we would present them to the class.
I loved this story because I love cute stories that rhyme. The pictures are very different than many of the other Dr. Seuss books. The story was cute and I liked how it included a good lesson about teachers teaching students the more important things.
Since this book is full of rhymes I think that I would include this book during a poetry lesson. I would have the kids break up into groups and come up with a short poem talking about a silly story like this one. Then we would present them to the class.
I loved this story because I love cute stories that rhyme. The pictures are very different than many of the other Dr. Seuss books. The story was cute and I liked how it included a good lesson about teachers teaching students the more important things.
May 28, 2020
“Our teachers are remarkable, they make up their own rules.”
At Diffendoofer school, education looks very different from your typical school. The curriculum is different and the teachers are all free spirits, but the kids love their learning. When the principal, Mr. Lowe, delivers the news that all the students will have to take a special test and if their school doesn’t do well they’ll all have to go to “dreary Flobbertown,” the students are in an uproar. But Miss Bonkers steps in and assures them that they will succeed. “We’ve taught you how to think.”
There’s a section in the back of the book that shows Dr. Seuss’ original sketches and talks about how the book came to be.
At Diffendoofer school, education looks very different from your typical school. The curriculum is different and the teachers are all free spirits, but the kids love their learning. When the principal, Mr. Lowe, delivers the news that all the students will have to take a special test and if their school doesn’t do well they’ll all have to go to “dreary Flobbertown,” the students are in an uproar. But Miss Bonkers steps in and assures them that they will succeed. “We’ve taught you how to think.”
There’s a section in the back of the book that shows Dr. Seuss’ original sketches and talks about how the book came to be.
December 17, 2017
Book Level: 3.8
Summary: The children who attend Diffendoofer school are worried about an upcoming test. Have their eccentric teachers prepared them enough?
Writing Trait: Word Choice – This mentor text demonstrates how writers can play with words to create new meanings and enhance the flow of the story. With smart word choice, this story briefly introduces many characters. As a writing assignment, I would challenge my students to brainstorm different ideas for characters by writing a few lists of rhyming words. They could then pick their favorite character and draft a short poem about them.
Summary: The children who attend Diffendoofer school are worried about an upcoming test. Have their eccentric teachers prepared them enough?
Writing Trait: Word Choice – This mentor text demonstrates how writers can play with words to create new meanings and enhance the flow of the story. With smart word choice, this story briefly introduces many characters. As a writing assignment, I would challenge my students to brainstorm different ideas for characters by writing a few lists of rhyming words. They could then pick their favorite character and draft a short poem about them.
April 24, 2018
Hooray for Diffendoofer Day is about a unique school and the unique teachers and staff who work there. They have odd ways of teaching, but they have fun and teach the kids many things, most importantly, how to think.
This book would be great to read to students preparing for an author study. You could also read it as a class to raise awareness and appreciation for the other staff members who work at the school, such as custodians, lunch staff, principals, and other teachers. You could do this, maybe, to do a project where the students interview a member of the school's staff for an everyday heroes-type assignment.
This book would be great to read to students preparing for an author study. You could also read it as a class to raise awareness and appreciation for the other staff members who work at the school, such as custodians, lunch staff, principals, and other teachers. You could do this, maybe, to do a project where the students interview a member of the school's staff for an everyday heroes-type assignment.
January 24, 2018
Picture Book #2:
This book is about Diffendoofer school where the teachers are crazy and different. The school is forced to take a test and if they fail they will have to attend the boring school. The school ends up getting the highest score because the teachers taught the students how to creatively think. This is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books even though it is very different from his other books. I will definitely read this in my classroom for a fun read and to remind my students that creativity is good!
This book is about Diffendoofer school where the teachers are crazy and different. The school is forced to take a test and if they fail they will have to attend the boring school. The school ends up getting the highest score because the teachers taught the students how to creatively think. This is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books even though it is very different from his other books. I will definitely read this in my classroom for a fun read and to remind my students that creativity is good!
August 19, 2024
I absolutely love this Dr. Seuss! It is a fun, and very weird, story of a school and it's participants ... but it also teaches the lesson that if the kids know how to think they can do well on tests. And with all the standardized tests that are SO important in today's school systems, I think this is an extremely important message!
Read again the day before schoool starts here, 2024. Fantastic story, good lesson, lots of Dr. Seuss silliness ... written from his ideas by two very good helpers after he passed away.
Read again the day before schoool starts here, 2024. Fantastic story, good lesson, lots of Dr. Seuss silliness ... written from his ideas by two very good helpers after he passed away.
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