Would You Rather Be a Bullfrog?

by Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg, Roy McKie (Illustrator)

Would you rather be a clarinet . . . a trombone . . . or a drum? (How would you like to have someone going boom-boom on your tum?) Beginning readers are asked to ponder these–and a host of other odd choices–in this charming, provocative book by Dr. Seuss that encourages children to let their imaginations fly.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Kids, Poetry, Classics

36 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Also 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

Reviews

[Sara Lemonade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time we read this book, if I chose a different one last time, I'll make the other choice this time, so things'll be fresh.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I guess in the right situation this book could be a conversation starter. And there are bits of brilliance in both the art and the text. But mostly I find this lame. There is no through story, there is no follow-through. But not actually bad, its just silly enough to be readable.

[Taylonbork · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic Dr. Seuss book full of rhymes and silly words. This book is about whether the reader would like to be something good compared to another thing that is bad, or even good compared to silly. It's a funny book that starts out asking "would you rather be a dog.....Or a cat?" It continues on about many different options. This is a great book for a child but the ending may have them puzzled about why it is called "Would you rather be a Bullfrog?"

[James Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read this book I can not help but to think about the kids in my classes and friend groups that always asked me the would you rather questions to pass time and to see where my loyalties lie. This is a great book to use to beginner readers within a classroom or at home because it gives them exposure to animals and common items that will be encountered in daily life routines. The book uses the tone of rhythm to keep the reader at a specific pace which I think might help young readers learn how to be more fluent while reading. It is hard for me to not make a little song out of these books because they flow so well. I would want to ask the author some questions on how they were inspired to create this and why they chose the items that they did. It probably just had to do with what rhymed, but it would be cool to verify.

[literatu._.reclub · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a philosophy book for kids or a convo starter (recommended to bring on a first date).

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. This is a good book to read to kids and also a good book for beginner readers. The words aren't the made up words that sometimes go with Dr. Seuss. I would recommend this book to others.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandson says all Dr. Seus books should be rated as 5!

[Lady Brainsample · Rating 3 out of 5]

We bought my offspring some treasuries of Dr. Seuss / P.D.Eastman / others from Costco last weekend. Even though my opinionated child can't stand for me to read him paper books at bedtime (only the finest board books will suffice), he can't stop me from reading to him while he's playing.

I had never read this book when I was a kid, so it was a pleasant palate cleanser after realizing as an adult that I really hate I Wish that I Had Duck Feet. The rhymes are good, and there's no moral of the story that tells kids that society is going to beat them down so they may as well give up imagining cool things for themselves.

Can you tell I'm bitter? I literally just went and downgraded my rating for I Wish that I had Duck Feet in the middle of typing this review.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun showing my 10 y.o. how Theo LeSieg is actually the same as Dr. Seuss with "Geisel" spelled backwards. His jaw dropped as soon as I showed him his name written out on paper. He loved answering which he would rather be and why on each page. I like how this book encourages asking questions and using your imagination all in one!

[Radwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

this reminds me of another dr. seuss book, also about kids' imagination, "I wish that I had duck feet", and also "oh, the thinks you can think". it's about giving you a choice choosing to be one of two things and gives kids an opportunity to imagine. whimsical and cute.

"would you rather have a feather or a bushy tail behind? which would feel the best on you? come on! make up your mind."

[Oak · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a kid, this book made me anxious and was not enjoyable. It starts off nice enough, with thoughtful questions, but intensifies. Particularly the insistence on picking NOW, quick, etc made it too intense/confrontational for me. Perhaps it depends on how the adult is able to adapt to the child they’re reading it to.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to K's and 1st graders. Gave silly choices but made the kids think. Would they like to be a bird or a bee, a cat or dog. I let the kids vote or explain their reason at times and it made the book more entertaining. Silly rhyming from Dr. Seuss.

[michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. I enjoyed being able to ask my listeners what they'd rather be and then ask why, even if their response was the same every time (because I love it). Overall, this was good at being engaging by starting up conversations with the listeners.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fun Dr. Seuss book full of imagination and funny characters. The question is asked which would you rather be of the two choices are given. First one is would you rather be a dog or be a cat? There are almost two dozen choices given to think about.

[margeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love hearing L’s reasons for why he would rather be the ones he chooses (a whale or a minnow, a cactus or a rose, a feather tail or a bushy tail, etc).

The only one I don’t like is the fat/thin choice. Unnecessarily unkind, I think. I might just rip that page out.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite classic. Perfect read for bedtime reading with the children. Loved talking about our decisions on what we would rather be!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book to get the kids thinking what they want to be. After the book they would then just start asking what they would rather be on everything.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for a silly read along with a preschooler. My daughter and I giggled our whole way through this book.

[Haley Catlett]

Dr. Seuss never fails with children's literate.

[Samantha Inman · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK!

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids can answer the questions and explain why.

[Monica Loftus · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly rhyming book that is fun to read.

[Rayjan Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't remember reading this as a kid, but still a nice book for kids. :)

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the rhymyness of this book. The format of “would you” is great for a read aloud, the illustrations are typical Dr Seuss format.

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book for children and parents to enjoy together.

Also, excellent party questions for adults :D

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purchased 2016, read to herself first time today. Rating A’s - she gave it a 5, then not 10 minutes later, decided she “hated” it.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun!
10/14/19 Read with Julia

[Ice 9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://letterstocassiandotherfolks.bl...

[Denise Schlachtaub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for teaching kids to think and make decisions, in typical Dr. Seuss style.

[Himanshu Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great