Book Review: The Sneetches By Dr. Seuss
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The Story of the Sneetches
The Sneetches are a group of yellow bird-like creatures that live on a beach in a far away land. And on this beach there are two types of Sneetches: One type with green stars on their bellies and one type without. The Sneetches that do not have green stars on their bellies were always looked down upon by the Green-Star-Bellied Sneetches, as it was very fashionable to have green stars on one's belly. The Sneetches without green stars on their bellies were very saddened by this as they very much wanted to be a part of the "in-crowd" and wanted to be liked by everyone, especially by the Green-Star-Bellied Sneetches, but it was just not possible...
That was until one day, a "fix-it-up chappie" named Sylvester McMonkey McBean shows up and offers to the discontented star-less Sneetches a solution: For only three-dollars he will allow each of them to venture through his "Star-On" machine. Sylvester McMonkey McBean's "Star-On" machine was quickly a huge success and in no time at all, the star-less Sneetches were no longer star-less, because they were finally happy with how they looked! But this did not go over so well with the original Green-Star-Bellied Sneetches because they could no longer discriminate against the once star-less Sneetches who were now looked exactly like them! So just when they were stumped on what to do, Sylvester McMonkey McBean offers to go through his "Star-Off" machine for a paltry ten dollars and so, the Sneetches who originally had green stars on their bellies comply and venture through McBean's second and newer machine.
However, here arose another problem: Being that McBean had no problem letting any of the Sneetches through his newest machine--originally starred Sneetches or not--so long as they paid him. In essence, McBean allows even the recently starred Sneetches through and this further escalates more and more as all the Sneetches are running back and forth between his first machine to his second, newer machine:
Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Star-On Machine
"...until neither the Plain nor Star-Bellies knew
whether this one was that one or that one was this one
or which one was what one...or what one was who."
This goes on until all of the Sneetches on the beach are flat-broke and Sylvester McMonkey McBean is rich and so leaves while laughing at the absolute silliness he observed by all the Sneetches. McBean shakes his head and concedes, "You can't teach a Sneetch." But in spite of this, the Sneetches do learn from this experience and all the Sneetches come to realize that neither green-starred bellied Sneetches nor star-less bellied Sneetches were superior and so were all the same as they were ALL SNEETCHES, no matter what. It is because of this that they are all able to become friends and coexist peacefully with one another.
The Moral of the Story
I absolutely enjoyed this book as a kid and as an adult. It is my firm belief that this is truly one of the most important books to ever be published, including Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree because of the valuable lessons it continually teaches us. I'm overwhelmed by the power of what just a few colorful pictures and letters bound together by cardboard can do...By the way, did I mention that I like books? Please take the time to look at my other review of The Giving Tree at your convenience!
There are many factors involved when reading The Sneetches. Obviously, an adult should read this book with a broader view on certain topics not up to but including racism, materialism, imperialism and diplomacy. What Seuss' Sneetches teach us is that whether or not green stars are on their bellies or not is rather a silly reason to mistreat or disenfranchise other Sneetches who don't have such things. The way in which the Green-starred Sneetches carried themselves with their chins in the air and their uppity-attitude is the much the same way in which those who think they are more "privileged" than others carry themselves.
What Seuss is teaching us is that it is silly to make such irrelevant fusses about trivial things because we are all components of the human race. Think of the period of the New Immigrants in America that bought over the massive wave of Irish, or the Jim Crow laws of the Twentieth Century and the Japanese Internment Camps during the Second World War. Speaking of which, what about the Holocaust? In my religion, I learned that "Hate only breeds more Hate and that Love only breeds more Love. So since The Sneetches is in fact a children's book that normally should be read to and given to children by parents, doesn't it make sense that parents should share this book with their children? Shouldn't Dr. Seuss' message be conveyed to the tender minds of children? I believe so and I hope you do too. Thank you so much for letting me share this with you.
Amazing!
- Agency of NATO and United Nations to Distribute Dr. Seuss Stories to Foster Racial Tolerance in War-
Agency of NATO and United Nations to Distribute Dr. Seuss Stories to Foster Racial Tolerance in War-Torn Bosnia from Business Wire provided by Find Articles at BNET
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I've never seen that one. Definitely will check it out next time I go to the book store :) Thank you!
As I mentioned in the forum, this is my favorite Dr.Seuss book for exactly the reason you mentioned. It is such a powerful tale the demonstrates an even more powerful lesson. Thanks for sharing this great hub!
Seems like a very interesting story. I shall bookmark it so that when I come back online I will read this in detail.
Thanx for posting it though.
True, this is a nice symbolic story. I read it all and applied it to many situations in life.
Great morallay based story by Dr. Suess. That dude was a genious I think.
Great hub john...my favorite Seuss story. It reminds me of what the McBean banks have done to us now. Thanks! :)
Yeah the Dr was pretty slick at getting sublime messages across. Great hub
Awesome..
I was entertained reading this..
hey that hit a note with me, it is 5a.m. and I think this is a good time for me to read hubs.... concentration good.
I enjoyed reading your hub a lot. Lessons and experiences for all.
Great hub, I love Dr. Seuss!!
This was a great book review. I want to read the book now! When was this book published? I'm thinking there's some World War II symbolism going on in this story, since the Jews in Germany, Poland, France, and other places occupied by the Nazis were required to wear stars as a symbol of their supposed "inferiority." It was just like Dr. Seuss to go beyond the straightforward story and make a stand. I'll be sure to read this to my kids.
Great review - Dr Seuss is one of my favourites and I've read and re-read this to my daughter so many times when she was young. Yes, I agree with you - we need to pay attention as adults as well to the lessons books like these teach.
I gave another point up...this is my favourite!!!
This is such a great story! I agree it must be read by all children and adults. In fact it should be part of the obligations in schools. It teaches kids how to respect all human beings equally and not judge them by their appearance, or religoun. Unfortunatly, we live in a crazy world, full of wars based on descrimination, racism and lots of hate. The one important thing we ought to teach our children, and our selves, is how to heal our world from this kind of hatered. How to love and respect all sneetches, even if some have stars on, or not. We are all people. I think this book can explain this issue in a fun and exciting way, not to mention- very coloful, like humans are! So, even if u dont like sneetchers- remember- Never judge a book by its cover!
OMG! I love Dr Seuss, this book is totally awsome. You are very clever to write about it. Have you read 'oh the places you'll go'. Maybe I should do a review later today when I need a bit of fun, so again thanks for the idea. You have helped to create an impression on me that this site has a wonderful community, you really do add to the friendliness of the community making this site what it is, addictive!
Very well done!!
I've always enjoyed Dr. Seuss. I think he's smarter than most folks. :)
The Sneetches is my all-time favorite Dr. Seuss book! You have captured the essence of it exactly. When my children were young we had a VHS that had this story as a cartoon. We wore it out! I can't remember reading this as a child, but when I first got it for my daughter, I fell in love with it as an adult! :D
I used to read all of Dr Seuss to my children and now I share them with my granddaughters. The Sneetches were always favorites.
Great hub
regards Zsuzsy
You make many cogent points about how children's books can even teach adults lessons about greed, racism, and bigotry. Actually many of Doctor Seuss's stories were intially written for adult audiences, but later caught on with kids.
Seuss's use of a rhyming style made his writing popular with children, which is a big reason these stories are still beloved today. If I ask kids most of them do not know what the Sweet Valley Twins are, a popular kid's book of my day, but most know of the Dr. Seuss characters, which are timeless.
I will take a look at the link.
Hi Dohn, I don't think I've read this one - how did I miss it?! I love Dr Seuss and I've so enjoyed sharing them with my children. My favourite is green eggs and ham, but I am going to have to buy this to add to my collection :)
OMGSH, LOVE The Sneetches! haha wonderful hub. I'm rating it "UP"!
you know, i was going to write about harold and the purple crayon, another great! i think i just might now.
I love this book and enjoyed your review. Dr. Suess was a genius and there is such a less here--an important one. Look at all the response to a Dr. Suess book. So cool!!
Cool hub! Going to keep this book in mind for my son. Thanks
This is really good! I love Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein!! YAY :D I should read this to Yortis ;)
Our son loved the story of the sneetches and it does have a great moral doesn't it? How about reviewing the cat in the hat that would be a fun one too!!!! :)
My favorite Dr. Seuss stories are the ones in which he subtly offers important life lessons. The Sneetches, The Lorax, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Horton Hears a Who and Yertle the Turtle are some of my favorites. There's also a great short story called "What Was I Afraid Of?" in the book we have that has the Sneetches story. Its message is similar to that of Sneetches - just because people are different, we don't need to be afraid.
My favorite Dr. Seuss stories are the ones in which he subtly offers important life lessons.
For sure, Dr. Seuss was a genius in creating children's tales...and anyone can really enjoy them, as well...
Wow, dohn, it sounds like Dr. Suess was a communist! What with all that fairness and sharing at all. Haha, only kidding. One of the best thing about having kids is that you get to read all those great kids books and Dr. Suess was the master, handing out beautiful moral lessons while entertaining in a manner that keeps you coming back to read him over and over. This book was one of my boy's favorites.
Alright, Dohn, I'm growing weary of all your good writing ;) This has to be one of the most necessary reviews--which I consider to be a tribute-- of an evanescent literary necessity. When I obtained my associates degree just last year, one of two things my parents gave to me was another Dr. Suess book, "Oh The Places You'll Go". Inspiration, especially in the case of Dr. Suess, knows no age. Kudos dohn.
Dr.Seuss was one of my all time favorite authors as a child. It was so wonderful to be able to share his books with my children as they were growing up and in many (many) years to come I hope to share them with grandchildren too.
Wonderful book review!
I love Dr. Seuss and you did such a great review!
Great review of a wonderful book! I look forward to reading your review of The Giving Tree. :)
I understand, I do that with music sometimes, I've only published one hub on the subject so far, but feel free to check it out and let me know what you think. :)
Dohn, you know I have to go buy this book now for my son (and me). Great review, loved it. You are very talented!
I loved this book as a kid also. In high school, I took a creative writing class where one of the assignments was to write our own version of this story based on our lives. It was a very interesting challenge! Thank you for reminding me of the book and that challenge.
Hey, I've bookmarked this one! - I've read all of Dr. Suess, including his political cartoons, seen his paintings, and such. Thanks!
As a kid I was very proud of my Dr. Seuss collection. Somehow, though, I never managed to read this one until just recently. I did get so much out of it, though, and now I see the McBeans all around. Good review!
It seems that adults as well as children could learn from the Sneetches. Very good overview.
A very popular theme, I see dohn
Great hub! My 2-year-old niece is just getting into Seuss. so I'm getting to relive all of my childhood favorites.
Like you dohn, I always loved receiving books as gifts. The Dr. Seuss books came later but I enjoyed them with my niece. This one was new to me and it certainly teaches good lessons. If all the children of the world could read and absorb its meaning.....we could have a much better world in the years ahead.
Very nice review. I read the Sneetches years ago I will now have to read it to my son.
Ok, sorry about this..normally I read all the comemnts so as to not repeat anything...but Im too tired right now and I wanted to comment before I forget...first off, here where I live, I am the only person I know of who has heard of the Sneetches so its nice to find this online group of people who love them too. And I wanted to tell you of some other chidlhood stories I remember, but everyone around here thinks I am crazy.
The Arrow (I only ever say the TV version...Harry Nilson did the msuic...its a good story tho) similar in story line in that it shows the uslesness of judging a person based on appearnce..
"The Rainbow Goblins" wich has nothing to do with this topic but an amazing book that few people I know of have heard of
and "The Phantom Tollbooth" another book I remeber loving as a child, but everyone I know insits it doesn't exist. (our public library belongs to the next town over, and its small..) great hub. When you get to have kids, your going to be an amazing father!!
(ps..good at math? thats a stereotype? HAAHAAHA sorry...but ..isnt that weird?)
I love your book reviews so much!! Each time I sit down to read one I feel like I'm settling down to read the book itself - and in a way it's better because I love reading your interpretation afterwards! Yes, I can see this is definitely a deep book and you're right - it is amazing how powerful a few colourful pictures on paper can be! If I ever have to buy children's book I'll know who to consult! (I'll be having a look at the Giving Tree next..)
You are right Dohn, 'Amazing!'. Thinking about the British National Party in UK, who are racist, stupid and illiterate, they should read that book and realise that we are all human, all of different or mixed races. Your review of the book is excellent, and i feel guilty to say i haven't read it, but i will do now! Thanks again!
excellent hub. I had never heard of this book, but it sounds very funny! Some very silly Sneetches, if you ask me... :D
I've always appreciated The Sneetches (have read it many times, going wa-ay back) but keep coming back to my own maxim: "If you put three people together at dawn, each two will be plotting against the third by noon."
Need to work on my cynicism...ya think? :D
awesome book I love Dr.Suess
Hey, I had to post this hub on my blog...because it's GREAT. Just an fyi :)
Remarkable. I think the total word count in this review exceeds the total word count in the book
Wow..that was a good read. It helped me to remember all the Dr.Suess books I read to my son and so many children over the years. The books are a class act! Thanks.
Was Dr. Seuss a man or a woman? I think it is a good book for anybody, child or adult. Thank you for telling us about it.
Great Post great Writing
Sounds like something I should have in my library...
I love it. I love Dr. Seuss. It has the obvious parallel real life racism and political divisions. Nice review :)http://bookcreak.com
Great post! I loved Dr. Seuss as a kid. And let's face it, even adults like him. Maybe they won't admit it. lol.
I love this book and your review really captures the inner meaning well. Our kids love Seuss and they are mad about the Dr Seussland in Universal Studios - we've been a few times - love the Sneetches train ride!
good book review i hav ever seen
Interesting book review. I've read a lot of Dr. Seuss but never "Sneetches." Sort of starts out like You Are Special, by Max Lucado.
Anyway, voted up.
My love of Dr. Seuss continued into my adult life, so it's great to see I'm not the only one still enjoying his stuff and seeing how meaningful it is. I usually give, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" as a graduation gift. Take care.






























































Uninvited Writer Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago
This is an excellent hub. What a great story that is; I'm ashamed to say I've never read it. I love Dr. Seuss.