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10 Best Dr. Seuss Books and Activities

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Review of Best Children's Books and Extension Activities to Go With Them

Learning should be fun!
Dr. Seuss intended it that way! Dr. Seuss, otherwise known as Theodore Seuss Geisel (born March 2, 1904), is a well known children's book author who created joy wherever his books are read. Dr. Seuss has published 44 books that have been adored by millions of children and their parents. Here you will find a list of mine and my children's top favorites to read, as well as some activities to enhance the experience for your child.

Image thanks to shellyterrell


Extension activities are used to enhance the learning experience, and it's fun!

Appropriate books for your child

How do you choose?

First of all, you can never go wrong with a Dr. Seuss book! They are fun for all ages and never go out of style. What you want to look for when deciding on a Dr. Seuss book are: 1) durability, 2) length, and 3) content.

Durability: A board book is best for a child under the age of 3. For obvious reasons, they like to tear pages and stick everything in their mouth!

Length: A child under 5 might not have the patience to sit through a 40 page Dr. Seuss book. Even though the pictures are great and the words are funny!

Content: There are some books that you may not be okay with reading to your child. Make sure you read it first to approve it. Also, you want to know what content is in the book so that you can use extension activities and other educational tools to enhance their learning experience.

So, if you feel like you have a child with a short attention span (or likes to eat pages), and you really like the book Fox in Socks, then buy the board book. Board books are a shorter version of the original book, but still have great content!

Content Guide

Top 10 Dr. Seuss Books

#10 Ten Apples Up On Top

Hey now, look at me, I have three apples up on me!

This book features a dog, tiger, and a lion all competing to see who can stack all their apples up on their head. My children like this book a lot. They like to pretend that they are one of the characters in the book and be the "winner," whoever has the most apples up on top. It's also a great way to encourage counting!
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Activities to Enjoy with Ten Apples Up On Top

Stack 'em Up!

1. Make an apple inspired treat
Recipes for Kids
Easy Kid Recipes

2. Finger paint an apple tree or paint with an apple
Preschool Activities
Apple Painting

3. Play a game with apples
Apple Games and Fun

4. Teach them to count
Counting Games with Toddlers
Math Activities for Preschoolers

5. Play follow the leader or simon-says
Classic Kids Games

Image thanks to Erica_Marshall

#9: ABC Book

Big A, Little a, What begins with A?

It's always a good idea to teach your kids their ABC's! Why not let Dr. Seuss help you do it? I really enjoy this book because it gives fun words that start with a letter. It keeps a child entertained while learning.
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Activities to Enjoy with the ABC Book

Now I know my ABCs

type=text1. Sign as you sing the Alphabet song
Sing and Sign

2. Do a letter of the day
Preschool Worksheets
Handwriting Worksheets

3. Alphabet snacks
Forum of ideas from Teachers

4. Look around your house for things that start with the letter you are working on

5. Display their worksheets around their bedroom to see every day.

Image thanks to Pink Sherbet Photography

Alphabet Resources

The alphabet is everywhere!

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#8: Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now

The time has come, the time is now!

I really enjoy this book, especially as a child. It has a great story line, all throughout the book I'm trying to figure out why they want Marvin K, Mooney to go. I also love the pictures in this book, as usual, Dr. Seuss has a knack for imagination.
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Activities for Marvin K. Mooney

and for you and your child

type=text1. Play 20 questions to guess the mode of transportation.

2. Take your child on an adventure in transportation they've never been in, i.e. bus, taxi, train, trolley.

3. See who can name the most ways that Marvin (or you) can leave.

4. Talk about reasons why the person might want Marvin to go.

5. Be theatrical! Dr. Seuss gives you a great script, run with it!

Image thanks to Erica_Marshall

“If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.”

#7: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Say! What a lot of fish there are.

This fun rhyming book teaches children about counting, colors, sizes, and emotions. Great book for early learners!
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Activities for One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Fishy Fun with one Fishy Dr. Seuss book

type=text1. Make fishy arts and crafts
Headbands
Art Activities
Fish Crafts

2. Make blue Jell-O jigglers with a red swedish fish in the middle.

3. Use paint to decorate a fish bowl for a new pet fish.

4. Print some fishy worksheets.

5. Get moving with these great fish games

Image thanks to HikingArtist.com

#6: Oh, The Thinks You Can Think

Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try

I love that this book encourages children in their creativity and imagination. A really fun book!
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What are the thinks you think?

random thoughts welcome...

  • JimDickens Mar 8, 2012 @ 8:24 pm | delete
    These are wonderful. Some of the best fun I ever had was listening to my friend who had trouble with words read the Fox in Socks to his little girl -- and she loved it.
  • iijuan12 Feb 27, 2012 @ 1:20 am | delete
    We love Dr. Seuss! I've read them so many times that I have at least 5 of them memorized. Liked.
  • franstan Sep 14, 2011 @ 2:04 am | delete
    Very nicely done. All children love Dr. Seuss
  • SereneSea Apr 15, 2011 @ 12:47 am | delete
    This surely looks fun activity and also brain teasers.
  • sorana Apr 14, 2011 @ 10:06 pm | delete
    Great resources and very nice lens.
  • windygig Apr 11, 2011 @ 11:00 pm | delete
    Big A, little a, what begins with A? Aunt Annie's alligator, a, a, a +
  • sousababy Apr 2, 2011 @ 9:04 am | delete
    Oh these are classics that will endure. And parents and children both find amusing. Your activites (jello esp.) I must try with my 6 year old. Green Eggs and Ham was the most worn out book in the house when I was growing up.
  • jvsper63 Mar 16, 2011 @ 8:56 pm | delete
    I love him. That's what I grew up reading. Well till 5 I guess. Great lens Joni
  • capriliz Mar 16, 2011 @ 12:45 pm | delete
    Dr. Seuss books are the best!
  • MarianaFargasch Mar 14, 2011 @ 3:33 pm | delete
    I love Dr. Seuss! thanks for the fun lens :)
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Activities for Oh, The Thinks You Can Think

Using your Noggin

type=text1. Give your child a journal to write their thoughts, or a sketchbook for those who can't write yet.

2. Play games that will get them thinking, i.e. hide and seek, etc.

3. Make up a story together. The wackier the better!

4. Do a kid-safe science experiment

5. Create a new recipe together.

Image thanks to Pink Sherbet Photography

#5: The Cat in the Hat

Lots of good fun, if you wish.

Who doesn't know about The Cat in The Hat? This is probably the most well-known Dr. Seuss book. As always with Dr. Seuss, children get immersed in the imagination of possibilities. All children need to read this book and it is a great started book when learning how to read.
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Test your Knowledge of Cat in The Hat

Countdown to Dr. Seuss' Birthday and Read Across America Day

Dr. Seuss' Birthday and Read Across America Day: March 2, 2012

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Activities for Cat in The Hat

and other kinds of Hat Tricks

There are so many ideas on this website I found, I thought I'd share it with you. There is a large list of games, crafts, etc.

#4: Green Eggs and Ham

Would you, could you?

This popular book is loved by many. It really gets the children's mind working about the possibilities of their actually being green eggs and ham!
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Green Eggs and Ham Recipe

Ham it up!

This recipe includes:
Green food coloring
Water
Sliced Ham
Eggs
Frying Pan
Non stick spray

Go to link to see full instructions and change serving size if needed.

Image thanks to Pink Sherbet Photography

Green Eggs and Ham Resources

I do! I like them, Sam-I-Am!

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#3: Fox in Socks

Here's an easy game to play, here's an easy thing to say.

It's a tongue-twister for sure!
Keep up with the good work, you'll get the hang of it.
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Activities for Fox in Socks

All sort of foxy fun!

1. Play a rhyming game.

2. Make a sock puppet of a fox.

3. Fox in Socks tongue twister game.

4. Use a printable template for paper bag fox.

5. When you make a sock puppet, play hide and seek to find Fox in Socks.

#2: Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?

Moo Moo Buzz Buzz Pop Pop Klopp

This book is so much fun to read. All the sounds that you and your child can make together can be quite a hoot! The way it all sounds together at the end is simply genius.
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Activities for Mr Brown, Can Moo Can You

Moo Activities for Mr. Brown and you

type=text1. Make silly sounds and dream up characters to go with them.

2. Form a band of crazy sounds and have a marching band around the house, or town, whichever you choose.

3. Visit a zoo or farm.

4. Play the "quiet game" (every mom's favorite game) and listen to the sounds around you.

5. Take turns drawing on the same piece of paper to create a funny character.

Image thanks to ildalina

#1: In a People House

What can you find in a people house?

This is my first choice of book because my father read it to me just about every night when I was a child. It will forever be remembered in my heart.
(I couldn't find a board book for this one on Amazon)
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Activities to Enjoy In a People House

Lots of people house fun!

1. A great way to teach children to read is to label the commonly used items in your house. Label them in a couple languages if you like!

2. Build a fort with a few household items, i.e. blankets, chairs, boxes, etc.

3. Play a game while doing housework. Children love to sing while doing this.

4. Go on a scavenger hunt around the house. Mix it up by telling them to find things that start with a certain letter.

5. Play knock-knock jokes and riddles to help them understand what some things do in your people house.

6. Make a fire-escape and safety plan in your home. Have fun while doing a mock run of it.

Best Dr. Seuss Book

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In Your People House

What were some of your favorite childhood books?

If you think it's great, Nominate this lens for LotD

  • UKGhostwriter May 8, 2011 @ 2:36 pm | delete
    Fantastic reminder that learning should be fun
  • sousababy Apr 2, 2011 @ 9:10 am | delete
    Just nominated for LoTD too.
  • tiff0315 Apr 14, 2011 @ 8:11 pm | delete
    Thanks! You're a sweetheart!
  • sousababy Apr 2, 2011 @ 9:08 am | delete
    Great and a needed reminder about Dr. Suess and his fine work for children and parents alike. Lensrolled to my: Books I Loved as a Kid one. Hope it helps! Stay well, Rose
  • GetSillyProductions Mar 13, 2011 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    nominated :) I used to love thomas the tank engine books
  • tiff0315 Mar 13, 2011 @ 1:37 pm | delete
    Thomas the tank engine is a family favorite as well. Thank you for the nomination!
  • lemonsqueezy Mar 10, 2011 @ 6:37 pm | delete
    Great lens. I scored 100% on the quiz. Happy belated birthday Dr. Seuss.
  • Dinostore Mar 10, 2011 @ 9:32 am | delete
    Ah, I love this lens. Great information :) Thumbs up and fav'd.
  • Teds-Medical-Threads Mar 5, 2011 @ 5:40 pm | delete
    Nice lens indeed. I like The Lorax who speaks for the trees.
  • partybuzz Mar 1, 2011 @ 7:39 pm | delete
    I love Dr. Seuss! Great lens. Thanks for your visit. :)
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