The Sneetches by Dr Seuss

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Ranked #29 in Entertainment, #682 overall

The Sneetches

The Sneetches is one of Dr Seuss's most underrated books and for some inexplicable reason it is not widely known.

The Sneetches is a superb tale of two groups of creatures, separated by class, differing only by a star on the belly or not. The star-belly Sneetches control all the best trappings of society whilst those without stars are social outcasts.

Into this backdrop comes Sylvester McMonkey-McBean an entrepreneur with a message and high technology to take advantage of the ridiculous social divide that the Sneetches have made for themselves.

Fortunately, despite being taken advantage of to the last dollar, the Sneetches are able to come together in unity.

This story has obvious parallels with real life racisim, political divisions, class divides and one cannot fail to think that if everyone was forced to read The Sneetches the world would contain rather less injustice. Indeed, the story was used by the UN to foster racial tolerance in Bosnia.

Buy "The Sneetches" 

Get yourself a copy of "The Sneetches" to fully appreciate the message and illustrations.

The Sneetches and Other Stories

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/08/2009) Buy Now

Star-belly Sneetches 

The Star-belly Sneetches are the "High-society" of Sneetch culture and benefit from Frankfurter roasts and marshmallow toasts on the beach.

These Sneetches walk with their snoots in the air and declare that they will have nothing to do with the Sneetches without stars.

This bigotry begins at childhood when it appears that only Star-belly Sneetch children can play ball.

Plain-bellied Sneetches 

The Plain-bellied Sneetches do not have stars upon thars; they are the underclass of Sneetch society.

These Sneetches spend their time moping around as they are denied access to the social gatherings of the star-bellied Sneetches and get left in the dark.

The Plain-bellied Sneetches spend their time longing for stars upon thars and this is what makes them so vulnerable to the promises of Sylvester McMonkey-McBean.

Sylvester McMonkey-McBean 

Sylvester McMonkey-McBean is an entrepreneur who offers hope to the lowly Plain-bellied Sneetches by offering them the use of his star-on-machine.

However, it soon becomes clear that McMonkey-McBean is no champion of the lower classes; in fact all he cares about is making money and he is quite happy to take all the cash out of the Sneetch economy. Additionally, McMonkey-McBean encourages the crazy, almost self-destructing behaviour that the Sneetches adopt by continually going from the star-on-machine to the star-off-machine and back to the star-on-machine etc.

Eventually, Sylvester McMonkey-McBean vanishes once the charlatan has robbed the Sneetches of all their money. However, the fortunate result is that the Sneetches have no idea who is who by this time and both Star-bellied Sneetches and Plain-bellied Sneetches live together in harmony.

I think a lot of people will recognise Sylvester McMonkey-McBean as a politician/businessman they are aware of.

Which of These Are You? 

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The Sneetches Part 1 

Dr. Seuss - The Sneetches_Part 1

Dr. Seuss Animation "The Sneetches" Part 1

Runtime: 6:33
312592 views
10 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

The Sneetches Part 2 

Dr. Seuss - The Sneetches_Part 2

Dr. Seuss Animation "The Sneetches" Part 2

Runtime: 5:26
227585 views
10 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Sneetch Stuff on Amazon 

Dr. Seuss - Sneetches Ladies T-Shirt - Large

A ladies T-shirt covered in Sneetches and quotes from the story.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009) Buy Now

DR SEUSS CAT IN THE HAT SNEETCH DRAWER PULLS KNOBS

It doesn't get much dafter than this - a Sneetch on a drawer-knob!!!!

Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 11/08/2009) Buy Now

Rare Dr Seuss Star Belly Sneetches 16"

Wow, a real Star-bellied Sneetch. Get one to take to your own Frankfurter roasts.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009) Buy Now

The Sneetches Book Review 

For those who just can't get enough Sneetch action or for those who want to know more about the book, please check out my review of the Sneetches on bookreviewblog.co.uk; The Sneetches" by Dr Seuss.

It's a book I love and I can't seem to stop reading it or writing about it.

Teaching Tolerance With The Sneetches 

The Sneetches has obvious messages about tolerance of those that are different and there are a number of lesson plans for teachers on the internet based on this theme and The Sneetches book.

Here is a link to one such lesson: Teaching Tolerance With The Sneetches.

More Sneetches 

SNEETCH DR. SEUSS STUFFED PLUSH DOLL LARGE NEW WITH TAGS!

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 11/08/2009) Buy Now

Sneetches Are Sneetches-UPC Edition (Dr. Seuss Beg Fun Flashcrd(TM))

Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009) Buy Now

Manhattan Toy Dr Seuss Sneetch

Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/08/2009) Buy Now

Vote For Sneetches 

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Other Great Dr Suess Books 

If you love the Sneetches you'll love these other Dr Suess books too.

About Dr Seuss 

Theodor Seuss Geisel (; March 2, 1904 ? September 24, 1991) was an American writer and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen name Dr. Seuss. He published over 60 children's books, which were often characterized by imaginative characters, rhyme, and frequent use of trisyllabic meter. His most celebrated books include the bestselling Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Numerous adaptations of his work have been created, including eleven television specials,...

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mbgphoto wrote...

Excellent lens. This is one book I haven't read yet. You have stirred my interest. 5* and blessed.

ReplyPosted November 03, 2009

CherylK wrote...

I love Dr. Seuss but have never read this book. I will, now! What a great story for children...well, for people of all ages, actually. Good job.

ReplyPosted November 02, 2009

ftuley wrote...

Excellent lens. 5 stars well deserved. And favorited too. Thank you for sharing.

ReplyPosted October 28, 2009

nickupton wrote...

Thanks for the suggestion. Fox in Socks is now there.[in reply to _Joan_]

ReplyPosted October 27, 2009

_Joan_ wrote...

I love, love, love Sneetches! I actually didn't know that it's less well-known than other Seuss books. Great lens!

But why don't you have "Fox in Socks" in the "which book is really best" poll?

ReplyPosted October 26, 2009

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About The Lens Author 

Lensmaster nickupton, aka nick upton, has been a member since June 23 2007, has rated 144 lenses, favorited 71, and has created 63 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "The Sneetches by Dr Seuss". See all my lenses

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Having been a birdologist since the age of seven I am something of an ornithological recluse. However, I managed to gain adulthood, if onl... (more)

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