Ask the Staff: Favorite Dr. Seuss Book

Fox in Socks

Kevin, Librarian, Franklin Avenue Library
I think that it’s the most tongue twistiest of all of Seuss’ books. No matter how many times I read it to my kids, I could never get all the way through it without starting to mess up lines. It is tough tough, TOUGH! And yet, so much fun!

Stephanie Drew, Clerk, Forest Avenue Library
I can't choose just one title. I like "Fox In Socks" because I can read it really fast without any mistakes. "Wacky Wednesday" because it was my daughter's favorite for many years, although I hated reading it several times a day. 

Yertle the Turtle

Luann, Clerk, Central Library
It was my first Dr. Seuss book when learning to read.  I still like turtles!

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

Tania, Graphic Designer
My kid memorized the entire 64-page book and it was pointless, yet hilarious trying to read it to him.

Green Eggs and Ham

Chris, Clerk, South Side Library
My mother used to love to read that book to me when I was a kid. I Can Read With My Eyes Shut was another favorite. I still remember that book all these years later.

Steph, Librarian, Central Library
When I was in Kindergarten, our teacher read us the book and then we went to the cafeteria and actually ate green eggs and ham. All these years later it has stuck with me, and still makes me smile.

Laura, Librarian, North Side Library
I figured out how to make green scrambled eggs using spinach in the blender, and the grandkids loved them. It has become a St. Patrick's Day tradition in their home to read that story and have green eggs and ham. They never knew they were eating spinach.

Theresa, Library Assistant, East Side Library
Once a year my dad would organize an event that he called Dr. Seuss Oratory Theater for me and my siblings (I am one of five). He would assign each of us a Dr. Seuss book with the stated rule that our reading had to be unique and/or artistic. My sister always created a costume of some sort, my brothers made up different, funny voices for the characters and my claim to family fame was that I read each page very fast. As I recall, my best performance was with Green Eggs & Ham.

Dora, Clerk, North Side Library
I recall calling the book Green Ham and Eggs growing up. It was the reason is that I had to color every meal green! That lasted for a little while. 

Carla, Librarian, Central Library
I remember loving the repetition of the rhymes and sheer silliness of it. And it got me to try new things, even when I didn’t think I’d like them – my parents were fans of that!

The Lorax

Maddie, Youth Librarian, East Side Library
I love reading something I loved as a kid with my preschooler now and talking about the concepts presented in it.  The quote “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not” has always stuck with me and kept me going.

Erika, Clerk, Forest Avenue Library
When my daughter was a little girl she would have me read The Lorax over and over and over -- to this day, I still have part of the book memorized. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Katy, Library Assistant, North Side Library
It was a tradition growing up to read the book and watch the animated movie every year around the holidays. I love how Cindy Lou Who showed love to someone who was mean and different. She accepted him and that changed him and inspired him to change his life and become a better version of himself.

Sue, Director
I can name it in a pinch –
It’s the story of a Grinch.
How Christmas day he tried to steal,
But the Whos knew its meaning for real.
His heart it did grow.
The rest we all know.
Look for him now under the mistletoe!

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

Jen, Youth Librarian, Franklin Avenue Library
I think there was always something fun about the sound of the name Bartholomew Cubbins that really appealed to me when I was a little kid.  And I remember getting very excited when the hats started to change and became all fancy.