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The Big Blue Book of Beginner Books: Go, Dog. Go!, Are You My Mother?, The Best Nest, Put Me In the Zoo, It's Not Easy Being a Bunny, A Fly Went By
What could make a better present than a classic Beginner Book? Six of them—for less than the price of two! We've taken the complete text and art of three beloved P.D. Eastman titles: Go, Dog. Go!, Are You My Mother?, and The Best Nest; Robert Lopshire's Put Me In the Zoo (the first of his books featuring the character Spot); Marilyn Sadler and Roger Bollen's It's Not Easy Being a Bunny (the first PJ Funnybunny story); and Mike McClintock's charming, cautionary tale A Fly Went By, and bound them together in one sturdy hardcover omnibus. A perfect introduction to reading that will whet young readers appetites for additional books in the Beginner Book series.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
25 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
About the author
Dr. Seuss
911 books18.4k 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 $50 from the bet.
Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.
Also worked under the pen name: Theo Le Sieg
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 2, 2018
Do you have little brothers,sister, or cousins? Well this is a good book the to read to them. It has many little stories that you will like to read. There's a red,green, and yellow book also with other stories. But my favorite ones when I was a little kid was the blue on and red one. I read it every night. Hope you guys might like it tooooooooo!
November 23, 2025
My sons grew up with this book and the "sequel" The Big Red Book of Beginner Books in the mid-'90s. Some great, classic stories ("Put Me In the Zoo," "A Fly Went By," "Go, Dog, Go!," etc.); but good Lord I got sick of them over time. And now my three-year-old grandson has rediscovered them, and they are the ONLY #!$@ing books he wants to read. EVERY. DAMN. NIGHT. 😄
But still, good books and good memories, and it's kind of cute when every time we ask what he wants to read at bedtime, it's "RED AND BLUE BOOK!"
RANDOM COMMENT: I always particularly liked the structure, rhymes and illustrations in "A Fly Went By" (1958) in this book and then "Stop That Ball" (1959) in the Big Red Book; both written and illustrated by the team of Mike McClintock and Fritz Siebel, (and starring the same little boy and his dog). Siebel had earlier fame as the illustrator of the famous "Someone Talked!" WWI poster; and then later as the illustrator of the original "Amelia Bedelia" books. But McClintock basically just wrote these two books and then…disappeared. Huh.
(I have this listed on my "read three times" shelf; but really, it's more like 300...)
But still, good books and good memories, and it's kind of cute when every time we ask what he wants to read at bedtime, it's "RED AND BLUE BOOK!"
RANDOM COMMENT: I always particularly liked the structure, rhymes and illustrations in "A Fly Went By" (1958) in this book and then "Stop That Ball" (1959) in the Big Red Book; both written and illustrated by the team of Mike McClintock and Fritz Siebel, (and starring the same little boy and his dog). Siebel had earlier fame as the illustrator of the famous "Someone Talked!" WWI poster; and then later as the illustrator of the original "Amelia Bedelia" books. But McClintock basically just wrote these two books and then…disappeared. Huh.
(I have this listed on my "read three times" shelf; but really, it's more like 300...)
November 17, 2023
A six book collection out of which Are you My Mother? and The Best Nest were my personal favourite. My daughter loves endless repetition of texts that A Fly Went By and It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny provided but I also ended up with a lockjaw reading through it. And finally Put Me in the Zoo reminded me of Dr Seuss Cat in the Hat.
January 15, 2009
This book includes: Go Dogs Go!, It's Not Easy Being a Bunny, Are You My Mother?, Put Me in the Zoo, The Best Nest, and A Fly Went By.
Usually I don't like compilation books but this was about $5 more than we would have paid for ONE of those titles by itself. I LOVE me a bargain!
All of my kids are enjoying these stories. Ellie walks around with the book and calls it her "Bible." (We think God understands the mind of a 2 year old and won't strike her for her blasphemy.) She and Will (5 years) both like to sit and "read" the book.
Actually, William could read the book if he put some effort into it. It's a beginning reader book and he definitely qualifies for that. Ellie's version of reading the book is to say the parts she remembers us reading. It won't be long and she'll have the while thing memorized.
I have enjoyed reading some of the lesser known Dr. Seuss stories. There is the typical Seussian rhyme, silly antics by the characters and bright illustrations. Two of the stories (It's Not Easy Being a Bunny, The Best Nest) even have morals (be yourself and be content).
If you are looking for a beginning reader or a rhyming book other than Cat in the Hat, I highly recommend this book.
Usually I don't like compilation books but this was about $5 more than we would have paid for ONE of those titles by itself. I LOVE me a bargain!
All of my kids are enjoying these stories. Ellie walks around with the book and calls it her "Bible." (We think God understands the mind of a 2 year old and won't strike her for her blasphemy.) She and Will (5 years) both like to sit and "read" the book.
Actually, William could read the book if he put some effort into it. It's a beginning reader book and he definitely qualifies for that. Ellie's version of reading the book is to say the parts she remembers us reading. It won't be long and she'll have the while thing memorized.
I have enjoyed reading some of the lesser known Dr. Seuss stories. There is the typical Seussian rhyme, silly antics by the characters and bright illustrations. Two of the stories (It's Not Easy Being a Bunny, The Best Nest) even have morals (be yourself and be content).
If you are looking for a beginning reader or a rhyming book other than Cat in the Hat, I highly recommend this book.
September 14, 2018
This book was a birthday gift for my daughter a few years ago from her aunt (my sister) and we've quite possibly read it hundreds of times since then! (2 more children added to our family during that time). My husband isn't a big fan, but I have fond memories of this book from my childhood, so I don't mind reading the stories over and over again. Our youngest daughter (2 1/2) is currently in a phase where she asks for it constantly! "Go Dogs Go" seems to be the overall favorite, although my personal fav is "It's not easy being a bunny" and my other children will often request "The best nest" and sometimes "Are you my mother?" on repeat for days in a row. Just warning you ;)
June 9, 2021
Little Man really loves this collection, and I liked reading it with him, but I feel badly for P.D. Eastman and the other authors who have just been swept under the pseudonym "Dr. Seuss"!
July 25, 2024
This is one of my child's favorite books. We enjoyed a couple of the stories, especially The Best Nest and Go Dog Go.
P.D. Eastman is a gem of an illustrator on par with Dr. Seuss. The compilation could have been more curated since the book is quite heavy for a child to lift and bring to their bed. At $15.99, this is pricier, but good value given that there are six stories in this compilation.
The illustrations look dated but are classical nevertheless.
P.D. Eastman is a gem of an illustrator on par with Dr. Seuss. The compilation could have been more curated since the book is quite heavy for a child to lift and bring to their bed. At $15.99, this is pricier, but good value given that there are six stories in this compilation.
The illustrations look dated but are classical nevertheless.
February 3, 2026
Several of these were my favorite first books I ever read. I think my favorite is “Go. Dog. Go!” I remember taking the time looking at the illustrations, especially the dog party. It was fun to see what all the dogs were doing. There are two that I never read, but I really enjoyed them. It’s fun rereading childhood books, brings back sweet memories. 😊👧🏼🐶 📖
August 17, 2019
I had to add this one to my list because I read this to my son often. I bought it three years ago and live that it’s a bunch of books in one. He never gets tired of it and I love reading to him. It’s the perfect bedtime book.
February 10, 2020
Some of the stories are more popular than others. My nostalgic favorite is Are You My Mother? (which I used to read to my little brother when we were kids). TJ would probably pick Put Me in the Zoo or Go Dog Go.
January 21, 2021
(4☆ Would recommend)
Dr. Seuss books are great for learning, since they have such colorful pages, engaging pictures, and rhyme. Kids love them. Having so many Dr. Seuss books in 1 book makes it such a good bedtime book.
Dr. Seuss books are great for learning, since they have such colorful pages, engaging pictures, and rhyme. Kids love them. Having so many Dr. Seuss books in 1 book makes it such a good bedtime book.
July 16, 2024
My 22 month old loves these collections. For some reason he especially loves A Fly Went By. They are kind of hard to hold open. I think the binding might make it hard for a beginning reader to keep open too. Might consider getting it spiral bound once my son is older.
June 18, 2017
I really really liked it. I liked the changing stories all the time. It made me really excited all the time and happy.
July 13, 2018
I wasnt a big fan of most of these. I would rank them:
Put Me in the Zoo
It's Not Easy Being a Bunny
Are you My Mother?/Go, Dog, Go!
The Best Nest
A Fly Went By
Put Me in the Zoo
It's Not Easy Being a Bunny
Are you My Mother?/Go, Dog, Go!
The Best Nest
A Fly Went By
January 16, 2019
Lots of fun
February 6, 2020
Good collection of beginning reader stories by a variety of writers.
Read
November 11, 2020We've read these stories thousands of times with the grandkids, who turned out to be good readers
January 20, 2022
Not bad but it's more for 3 to 6 year olders.. I'll give it a 3 🌟
March 22, 2022
Oh the stories
November 23, 2022
Nostalgic read. My late sister and I loved “Are You My Mother” and “It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny” when we were kids. I enjoyed reading the whole collection of six stories.
April 27, 2023
My three year old's current favorite — which I am okay to read over and over again, especially since this sneakily contains actually six different stories! Moms everywhere rejoice 😄
September 9, 2023
I like these stories, oh yes I do, and I think that you should too. :)
Read
December 25, 2023Probably 3-4. Before I was in pre school
Read
January 4, 2024Note: The books in this book had been read to my youngest and logged individually on June 07, 2023
Re-read to my youngest: logged as the entire Big Blue Book on January 04, 2024
Re-read to my youngest: logged as the entire Big Blue Book on January 04, 2024
January 15, 2024
So many favorites in one volume!!
January 26, 2024
What a god-damn masterpiece. Surprised this hasn't been awarded a Nobel Prize, jet.
Want to read
April 24, 2024SM
August 8, 2024
A fly went by was our favorite
March 17, 2025
She loved all the stories
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews