Happy Birthday to You!

A Wonderful Dr. Seuss Book

This is a great addition to the Dr. Seuss collection I have at home. I Have loved Dr. Seuss since I was a kid, and this is a book I never had. There was room to write something in the front of it for my son. I got it for him on his first birthday. As all Dr. seuss books, it is imaginative and a wonderful read for adults and kids alike.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Feeling Special!

'I wish we could do what they do in Katroo . . . .' Thus begins Dr. Seuss's amazing conception of the birthday party EACH person should have. Guided by the special brainy bird, the Birthday Honk Honker, you will find yourself in the middle of a marvelous day. You are awakened by the bird, 'Wake Up! For today is your Day of all Days!' He then heads for your bed. 'He knows your address . . .' and quickly comes to give you the special birthday handshake. This involves touching your right index finger with his equivalent digit while you touch your left big toe with your left index finger (while he mimics the same motion). Throughout, Dr. Seuss makes it clear that just being born and being you is all that is required to deserve such classy treatment. 'If you'd never been born, well what would you do? . . . be? Why, you might be a WASN'T.' Your day includes a trip through the Birthday Flower Jungle while being carried in a boat through the air by Funicular Goats. The flowers smell like licorice and cheese. For lunch, you eat hot dogs, rolled out on a spool, for an endless meal. With so much mustard on you, cleaning off in a Mustard-Off pool is required. You sing loudly, 'I am lucky!' And that's before you go to the Birthday Pal-alace with its 9,403 rooms to play games in. You get to make such a mess that it will take 20 days just to 'sweep up the mess.' Then, you meet drummers, strummers, zummers, and of course, plumbers. Dr. Derring's Singing Herrings spell out, 'Happy Birthday to You.' Then, you get the most amazing cake. And all of this because, 'There is no one alive who is you-er than you.' Now, you might wonder about the wisdom of reading this book to a child. Whatever you do cannot match up. Well, Dr. Seuss thought of that point also. As he reminds us in the end, 'So that's What the Birthday Bird Does in Katroo.' 'And I wish I could do All these great things for you!' As you can see, the book is set up to convey your deepest conviction that the honoree (usually your child) is well worth whatever the positive limits of imagination can bring. But, of course, being a mere parent, you cannot do that much. Whatever you do will naturally be received with greater enthusiasm, realizing its symbolic intent. A fun way to use this book would be to create birthday elements that build on it. For example, you could draw a birthday palace, and buy one of those games as a gift that contains hundreds of variations in it. Then, you could attach your drawing to the gift. With good imagination, your child can feel like she or he has had such a day. Carrying on with that theme, you could reenact other parts of the book. You could dress up like the Birthday Bird and give the handshake in the morning, for example. If it's a weekend, you could have hot dogs for lunch (if your honoree likes them). If it's a week day, you could have them for dinner. You get the idea. There's another message here, too. Each other person deserves this princely treatment as well. That must mean that being a person is pretty special. I know of no book that stakes out such a strong statement in favor of each person. Be sure to build on this lesson to help you child learn to respect, appreciate, and eventually care about everyone! 'And I wish I could do all these great things for you!' And I do so wish. Happy Unbirthday! Donald Mitchell, co-author of The Irresistible Growth Enterprise and The 2,000 Percent Solution

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

HIGHLY RECCOMEND!!!

One of the sweetest books I've ever read!! SOOO funny!
Definitely a keeper in our library!!
Too bad some of the reviewers don't read the suggested ages for the book BEFORE they leave their comments. The ages are clearly stated for this book as 6- 9 NOT 4 year olds...maybe someone should read to YOU.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

great book

got it for my baby's 1st. b-day and I must say I loved it cuz he liked the pop up a lot.... enjoy it is worth every penny. it is small but great for his little hands.

pretty keepsake, not for pre-school aged children

This was the longest story I had ever read my 4 year old. Way too long to keep her attention. Maybe good for marking a milestone birthday as a keepsake, but not for little ones.

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Small book was hoping it would be bigger size

I orderd this book and was not aware it was a small book just wish it had been bigger. Thanks

Best book for highlighting the uniqueness of each individual

I read this book to each of my children every year on their birthday. I have started the same with my grandchildren and I give a copy to every new baby I can. There is no better book for highlighting the uniqueness of each individual - "You are YOU". I've also been known to give a copy to a very special adult on the occasion of their birthday, in celebration of their very own "self".

Dr. Sueuss Birthday pop-up book

This was a lovely little book, perfect for a 5 year olds birthday

Still have the 1959 edition

Besides a few cuts and scratches, my 1959 edition of this book is still in good condition. The imagination and creativity that Dr. Seuss put into his writing and illustrating is magnificent, especially his ability to tell a children's story using poems much like the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

It's A great addition to a child's gift.

I bought this book for my niece today who turns 2 today. There is not better way to celebrate a birthday than with a really good book. People add stocking stuffers i just add additional fun to my family's birthday gifts. Fantastic Journey for any child/adult of any age.

Outstanding

this book is great

I love this book!!!

When I was a kid, my father read this book to me on my birthday. It became such a beloved tradition that he still reads this book to me every year for my birthday. It's a great book!

A wonderful way to celebrate that special day

This book is an excellent way to not only wish a child a happy birthday but it also stresses how great it is to be an individual. To be YOU. It will teach children an excellent lesson on self esteem and help them to create their very own birthday world!

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