Seuss classic and good early reader

"The Cat in the Hat" is a Dr. Seuss classic. I don't think I've been to a friend's house yet who has kids but doesn't have this book on the bookshelf.

In this story, that mischievous cat in a hat rips apart the house while mom is away. I know, not a great start. But the kids are dutifully nagging and finally get the feline to put everything right before mom comes in the door. (If I were really good, I would have made that rhyme in true Seussian fashion.)

I started reading Dr. Seuss books to my babies when they were very, very young. The first book I read to my daughter on her first day home from the hospital was "Green Eggs and Ham."

I love to read "Cat in the Hat" to my kids because of its rhythm and rhyme. The flow of the words comfort me as much as they soothe my children. The pictures are wonderful, too, with good contrast for young eyes but enough color to keep older children flipping the pages.

Now that my older daughter is reading on her own, she can read "Cat in the Hat" by herself. Unlike some of the other Seuss books with his fun, made-up words, this one uses more plain English that she can read on her own.

So whether you're reading to your kids or they are early readers beginning to dog-ear their own books, this is a must-have for your child's library.