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Horton the Elephant

L'uovo di Ortone

dr. seuss

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Un libro per le prime letture, ricco di illustrazioni a colori e di simpatiche avventure. Un elefante prende il posto di un'allodola nel suo nido, ci rimane per mesi a covare un uovo fino a diventare padre di uno strano essere che gli assomiglia moltissimo.

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1940
Series
Horton the Elephant
Literary awards
lewis carroll shelf award, 

This edition

Format
64 pages, Paperback
Published
December 1, 1999 by Giunti
ISBN
9788809203921
ASIN
8809203925
Language
Italian
Characters More characters

More editions

About the author

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dr. seuss

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Theodor Seuss Geisel was born 2 March 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1925, and proceeded on to Oxford University with the intent of acquiring a doctorate in literature. At Oxford he met Helen Palmer, who he wed in 1927. He returned from Europe in 1927, and began working for a magazine called Judge, the leading humor magazine in America at the time, submitting both cartoons and humorous articles for them. Additionally, he was submitting cartoons to Life, Vanity Fair and Liberty. In some of his works, he'd made reference to an insecticide called Flit. These references gained notice, and led to a contract to draw comic ads for Flit. This association lasted 17 years, gained him national exposure, and coined the catchphrase "Quick, Henry, the Flit!"

In 1936 on the way to a vacation in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 43 publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.

During World War II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's for Hitler Lives and Design for Death). He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing which also won him an Oscar.

In May of 1954, Life published a report concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Geisel's publisher, and prompted him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat, which went on to instant success.

In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham. Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.

Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.

Also worked under the pen name: Theo Le Sieg

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
25(25%)
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41(41%)
3 stars
33(33%)
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99 reviews All reviews
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Mxxxstation
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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One of my absolute favorite Dr. Seuss books is this wonderful tale!

Maysie, the would-be momma bird, decides to take off for the warmer climes. She simply abandons her egg without bothering to stay until it hatches.

Surprisingly, she makes an extremely odd choice for a surrogate mother - Horton the elephant. But Horton, being the reliable and responsible creature he is, does his duty to the fullest extent (100%). He patiently nurtures the egg, protecting it and caring for it as if it were his own.

And what about the end? Well, it is fully satisfying! The story concludes in a way that brings a smile to your face and a warm feeling to your heart. It's a charming and delightful read that showcases the power of responsibility and the unexpected bonds that can form.

Overall, this book is a true classic that I highly recommend to readers of all ages.
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Googleflax
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Wow! What an incredibly cute poem this is!
It is filled with such intense meaning that it really grabs your attention.
I truly loved it, loved it with all my heart.
It is just great to be reading something so wonderful and engaging.
The words seem to dance on the page, creating a beautiful and vivid image in my mind.
Each line holds a special charm and draws me in further.
I can't help but keep reading it over and over again, savoring every moment.
This poem is a real gem and I feel so lucky to have discovered it.

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SilentMuse
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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“I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant‘s faithful one-hundred percent!”

This statement shows a sense of determination and loyalty. It implies that the speaker is true to their words and will stand by them without hesitation.

“A person is a person, No matter how small.” This phrase emphasizes the importance and value of every individual, regardless of their size or stature. It promotes equality and respect for all.

These words from Dr. Seuss carry profound meanings that can inspire us in our daily lives. They remind us to be true to ourselves, to keep our promises, and to treat everyone with kindness and respect.

“مُدهشة!” which means amazing in Arabic, can be used to express our admiration and wonder at the wisdom and beauty of these words.

Overall, these quotes from Dr. Seuss offer valuable lessons and insights that can help us become better people.
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DolLee
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Which takes precedence in creating a sense of human personhood? Our genes or our environment - or to rephrase that, our natural parentage or, let's say, our adoptive parentage?

Well, for Horton, the hatching of personhood in an adopted bird egg results in an exotically vibrant variant of himself. And the hatching of adulthood in a male child - me - by my Mom - on her own, created a whole new side of my personality: HER side.

Being the prime caregiver at puberty makes a significant difference! In 1963, my Dad took up an offer which was the chance of a lifetime - a postdoctoral fellowship - which involved a two-year hiatus in his parenting. It was a serious opportunity for advancement, not a frivolous whim as it was for Mayzie Bird.

But then the metaphor starts to work, for while my Dad had always instructed me in manners, Mom started to inculcate a stubborn set of morals in me in '63. Dad is Anglican, and went with the flow of 1960's theology, dithering on moral issues like modern clergy. But Mom had the maternal morals of HER Mom's Utah pioneer stock in mind when she led me along the old straight and narrow road for those two years.

I felt radically disjointed for a while - but it worked! Even if I slouched over my homework, my orientation was ramrod straight. No stranger to accidie, I still started to learn a more solid kinda ataraxy - just like Horton.

So almost like Horton's new offspring, my INNER features are like my Mom's. All that to say, like Robert Frost at his famous crossroads: I took the road less travelled by - And that has made ALL the DIFFERENCE!

This exploration of the role of nature and nurture in shaping our sense of self is truly fascinating. It shows how the actions and teachings of our parents, whether biological or adoptive, can have a profound impact on who we become. In my case, Mom's influence during those two crucial years helped to form a part of my personality that I might not have otherwise developed. It also highlights the importance of having a strong moral compass, which can guide us through life's challenges and help us to make the right choices.

Overall, this story serves as a reminder that our sense of personhood is a complex and multifaceted thing, shaped by a variety of factors both within and outside of ourselves. By understanding these factors, we can gain a deeper appreciation for who we are and how we came to be.
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Neon_Shadow
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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How can one not like Dr Seuss?

His stories are filled with unique charm and imagination.

In this typically zany tale, Horton the elephant shows great responsibility. He agrees to look after lazy Mayzie's egg. Once Horton has committed to a task, he sticks to it - come what may.

After Mayzie persuades Horton to sit on the egg in the nest at the top of the tree, she leaves for a holiday in Palm Beach. There, she is seen soaking up the sun, having a wonderful rest and determined never to go back to her nest.

This leaves Horton facing many obstacles. Some hunters even wish to shoot him down. But he persists. Eventually, he, the tree and the nest are taken for a travelling circus. Horton becomes the star attraction and they visit many places like New York, Boston, Kalamazoo, Washington and more. Then the show lands in Palm Beach.

When the circus is settled at Palm Beach, Mayzie sees it and comes to have a close look. She spots Horton, recognizes him. Ironically, while with him, the egg begins to hatch. Horton shouts, 'My egg, why, it's hatching!' But Mayzie suddenly acts parental again and claims that it is her egg.

Then the big surprise happens. The egg hatches and the baby looks exactly like Horton. The spectators shout, 'My word, it's an elephant-bird!' So Horton is sent home, very proudly and becomes a happy parent. As for what happened to Mayzie, we will never know!

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fairydownfall
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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While reading this book, I could have sworn that I had read it before. However, I couldn't find any memory of the book or even opening it. It was not until I realized that I had seen the short film version created by Warner Bros. I loved watching that cartoon, and now I understand that it is based on none other than Dr. Seuss.


This book truly deserves all the stars it gets. The storyline is adorable, the illustrations are spot-on, and the rhyming scheme is perfect. I firmly believe that Dr. Seuss is one of the best ways to introduce poetry to children. The funny thing is that kids don't even realize they are reading poetry or that they are actually learning something through a children's book. I really think that adults should read Dr. Seuss more often, regardless of whether they have kids or not.


In this book, we are introduced to the famous Horton the Elephant. One day, while strolling through the jungle, he meets a female bird named Mayzie who has just laid an egg but has no desire to take care of it. She persuades Horton to look after it for a few hours so she can rest. At first, Horton is hesitant but finally gives in. Unfortunately, Mayzie tricks him and decides to visit Palm Beach for a whole year. Meanwhile, Horton has no idea when the mother will return and will do whatever it takes to protect the egg, no matter what situations arise. I really enjoyed this story, and it brought back wonderful memories of my childhood.


I didn't know until now that Dr. Seuss uses the same characters or places throughout his many works. If you want to see more of Horton's adventures, then you should check out the sequel, which is Horton Hears a Who!
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azhwi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Nature vs Nurture? Who will win?

This age-old debate has intrigued scientists and thinkers for centuries. Some argue that nature, our genetic makeup, determines our traits and behaviors. Others believe that nurture, the environment in which we are raised and the experiences we have, plays the dominant role.

However, the truth may lie somewhere in between. Just like we got an elephant with wings, it seems that both nature and nurture have a part to play.

Our genetic predispositions may give us certain tendencies, but it is our environment that can either enhance or suppress those tendencies. For example, a person may have a genetic predisposition for musical talent, but without exposure to music and the opportunity to practice, that talent may never be fully realized.

In conclusion, while the debate between nature and nurture may continue, it is clear that both factors are important in shaping who we are. We should strive to understand and appreciate the complex interplay between the two in order to better understand ourselves and the world around us. 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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