Dr. Seuss - Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I'm thinking that more adults probably have this particular book than kids do. When I graduated high school, I, along with several of my friends, all received copies of this book from our parents. It's a nice book to give or receive as a graduation gift because of the story line, but, it's still a little weird getting a beginner reader's book when you are off to join the Land of the Adults. (whenever my parents question me, wondering why I can spend money on toys, or childish things for myself...I can now always dig out the book and say "You started it". ha)

Oh The Places You'll Go! is written by the famous Dr. Seuss, and done so in the classic rhyming style that he was so known for. It's a book for all ages, apparently, because people still give it to adults. There are 56 pages to this story, and it can be found at most major bookstores, as well as online at websites such as Amazon.com, perhaps the largest superstore on the planet.

The book is in hardcover. It has a white background with a multi-colored volcano-looking structure and ground. On this structure is a boy wearing yellow clothes. This boy is the main character in the story, although the book is written as a narration, and the boy actually is the one being spoken to by the invisible narrator.

this is probably one of the most positive and upbeat Seuss books on the market. It starts out encouragingly, saying things like "Congratulations! You're on your way!" and so forth.

As the story picks up, the narrator tells the boy all of the wonderful things he can do (a "you can do anything" attitude) and all of the great places he will see. There's a place in the story called The Waiting Place. This place is somewhere that I find myself sometimes. It's a place where time doesn't seem to move, and you are just waiting for something to come along. The boy ends up there himself in one page.

But, since life isn't always peaches and cream, Seuss adds lines that say something to the effect of "bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you". This is something that kids should know, so that they can have the habit of planning, always having a Plan B in place if things do not go their way the first time. In a perfect world, we could all see our dreams fulfilled, but, even in Seuss's world here, that doesn't always happen.

Have no fear though, the book ends on a positive note, as do all of Seuss's books. There's a line in the end that is probably the most cleverly written in the entire story. It goes:

"And will you succeed?
Yes, You Will indeed!
(98 and 3/4% guaranteed)"

The illustrations in the book are classic Seuss. The boy in the story does things that pertain to what the narrator is saying to him. It's simple art, but will always be recognized as Seuss. That makes it classic, to me.

I think kids will enjoy this book. My daughter liked it when she was younger (it would make a great Kindergarten Graduation book), although it wasn't as silly as some of Seuss's other books are, which she prefers. Who knows....when she graduates high school and/or college, maybe I'll join the masses and give it to her as a gift as well.

It's a positive book, one that encourages kids to dream. I would recommend it for that alone.