I just noticed that all my favorite Dr. Suess books were available as ebooks from my library.

I'm sure that wasn't the case a couple of years ago when last I checked.

Anyway, not only were they available in ebooks but they were ALL available period - no waiting list!

Once I got over the initial shock, I promptly borrowed four of my favorites.

I had to leave room for waitlisted items to come in.

Then I turned off the telly, much to the utter chagrin of my grandchildren.

After a little resistance, they sat enraptured as I read Horton Hatches the Egg, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street, McElligot's Pool, If I ran the Zoo, and If I Ran the Circus.

Oh my gosh, I still remember most of the books by heart!

Next weekend we will move on to Scramble Egg Super, The Kings Stilts, Bartholomew Cubbins, and Bartholomew and the Oobleck.

I can hardly wait! It's so wonderful to be able to share these classic stories with my grandchildren in this convenient digital format.

The joy of reading Dr. Suess books is truly timeless, and I'm looking forward to many more reading sessions with them in the future.

I found myself liking this more than I perhaps should have.

It has a certain charm that seems to speak directly to the child within you.

As you engage with it, it gently warms up your heart, like a cozy blanket on a cold day.

The simple yet endearing qualities of it bring out a sense of nostalgia and纯真.

It reminds you of the carefree days of childhood when everything was full of wonder and possibility.

You can't help but smile and feel a warmth spreading through you as you experience it.

It's one of those rare things that have the power to touch your soul and make you feel truly happy.

Despite knowing that you might be a bit too old to be so enamored, you can't resist the allure and continue to enjoy it to the fullest.

I absolutely adored reading this book!

Just as he always does, Dr. Seuss crafts a magnificent story that is filled to the brim with vivid and colorful images, as well as rich and entertaining text.

One day, as Horton the Elephant is out for a stroll, he encounters a rather lazy bird who has grown tired of sitting on her egg. She pleads with Horton to take over and sit on the egg so that she can enjoy a brief respite. Horton, being the kind-hearted elephant he is, ultimately agrees and solemnly promises to remain on the egg.

However, once the bird flies away, she completely forgets about Horton and her egg and jets off on vacation! Despite this, Horton proves to be an extremely faithful eggsitter. He endures snowstorms, the ridicule of his friends, and even a journey across the country after being unwillingly thrust into the circus.

Finally, the mama bird crosses paths with Horton still dutifully sitting on her egg. When the egg hatches, the bird decides that she is now ready to be a mom and care for the little one. But Horton has other ideas! And it is revealed that the egg has developed into something much more like Horton than he could have ever imagined possible!

Kids are sure to be captivated by this delightful story and will eagerly demand to hear it again and again.

Oooh! I am completely in love with this book! I absolutely adore the writing style and the rhyming, which makes it so engaging and fun to read. The picture graphics are also truly amazing, adding another layer of charm to the story. And let's not forget the moral lesson that it imparts, which is both valuable and thought-provoking. I can't wait to read this book over and over again to my adorable little boy!^^

Many thanks to Anne, who was the inspiration behind my decision to read this book. Tomorrow, on October 26th, she is celebrating her birthday! So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my dear friend! I miss you so much, sweetie!^^






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I truly adore Horton the elephant. He is perhaps the kindest character within the entire Seuss world.

In this remarkable book, Horton proclaims "an elephant's faithful, one hundred percent", and indeed he was. Even when the barrels of hunting rifles were aimed directly at his heart, he remained steadfast. Even when he was unjustly removed from his home and placed on a boat, his spirit did not waver. Even when he was compelled to join a circus against his will, his kindness and faithfulness endured.

And in the end, he was rightfully rewarded for his unwavering kindness and faithfulness. His story serves as an inspiration, teaching us the importance of being kind and faithful, no matter the circumstances.

Poor Horton.

Dr. Seuss's kindly elephant is persuaded to sit on an egg while its mother, the good-for-nothing bird lazy Maysie, takes a break. Little does Horton know that Maysie is setting off for a permanent vacation in Palm Springs. He waits, and waits, never leaving his precarious branch, even through a freezing winter and a spring that's punctuated by the insults of his friends.

("They taunted. They teased him. They yelled 'How Absurd! Old Horton the Elephant thinks he's a bird!'") Further indignities await, but Horton has the patience of Job--from whose story this one clearly derives--and he is rewarded in the end by the surprise birth of... an elephant-bird.

Horton Hatches the Egg contains some of Theodor Geisel's most inspired verse and some of his best-ever illustrations, the dated style of which only accentuates their power and charm. A book no childhood should be without.

I will use this book in my classroom when we talk about poetry, Dr. Seuss, and many vocabulary words. When discussing poetry and rhyme, I will analyze the patterns that Dr. Seuss uses, such as ababa, cdcd. This will serve as a great example for students when they are assigned a poetry assignment.

Dr. Seuss's birthday is nationally celebrated, and it will be exciting to read many of his books during this month. This particular book, Horton Hatches the Egg, will be a very funny, cute, and interesting one to read in class. One vocabulary word that I would like to focus on is 'faithful'. I firmly believe that Horton demonstrates to the readers exactly what that word means.

I think kids would enjoy learning vocabulary with a book like this. When learning is made fun, it becomes truly worthwhile. Without a doubt, I will incorporate this book into my classroom teachings.

Horton the Elephant was approached by Mayzie the bird. She asked Horton if he would sit on her egg so that she could go on vacation. Horton, being a kind-hearted elephant, agreed without hesitation. He climbed up the tree and sat on top of the egg, just like a bird would.

Mayzie, however, decided to take an extended vacation. This meant that Horton was stuck sitting on the egg for months. He endured the elements and the curious looks of other animals.

Eventually, hunters came across Horton sitting on the egg. They thought he looked so silly that they caught him and sold him to a circus. Horton now had to travel across the country, still sitting on the egg.

One day, Horton's circus arrived in the town where Mayzie was. By this time, the egg was about to hatch. Mayzie suddenly wanted her egg back. But when the egg finally hatched, to both of their surprise, an elephant bird emerged.

Just like all of Dr. Seuss's books, this story is suitable for readers of all ages. It teaches children an important lesson: if they work hard and persevere for something, it will pay off in the end. I would definitely keep this book in my classroom as a valuable teaching tool. It shows students that they should not let others judge them for their actions, just as Horton refused to be judged by the other animals for sitting in the tree.

This story is not only entertaining but also has a powerful message that can inspire children to be brave and true to themselves.

I have but to see the cover of this classic picture-book about Horton the elephant, and the words "I meant what I said / And I said what I meant... / An elephant's faithful / One hundred per cent!" float up through my memory. This was a story read to me countless times as a young child, and then read by me countless times once I could read. The refrain always elicits a thrill of fellow-feeling and pride.

The kindhearted Horton is imposed upon by the lazy Maizie bird, who gets him to climb up on her egg to keep it warm while she goes on a "vacation." Horton faces many challenges, enduring all kinds of weather, suffering the mockery of his friends, standing up to hunters, and surviving being carted off to a zoo. But he remains faithful, keeping his word no matter what. And when Maizie returns, something magical happens - the egg hatches an elephant bird!

Originally published in 1940, Horton Hatches the Egg was the first of two picture-books about Horton, followed by Horton Hears a Who! in 1954. It was the fourth of Dr. Seuss' picture-books, after And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, and The King's Stilts. I had not picked up this book in years until my recent Dr. Seuss retrospective, where I plan to read and review all 44 of his classic picture-books in chronological order. I launched this project as a protest against the suppression of six of his titles by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

In Horton Hatches the Egg, we see the full emergence of Dr. Seuss the wordsmith. His rhyming text rollicks merrily along, perfectly communicating the story through a rhythmic text. Unlike his earlier books, this one begs to be read aloud, with the rhyming structure, italics, and capitalization all creating a particular cadence.

The proverb that an elephant never forgets takes on a new meaning here, as Horton is not only faithful to his word and task but also has a strong sense of honor and a protective and nurturing attitude towards the weak and vulnerable. He is the archetype of a great dad. There may be a message here about the nature of parenting, as Maizie is the biological parent but Horton is the adoptive one who does all the work.

Horton Hatches the Egg is a wonderful tale, well-crafted and well-told, with beautiful and expressive illustrations in Dr. Seuss' inimitable cartoon style. I highly recommend it to all picture-book readers, especially those looking for stories about keeping one's word and taking care of those in need. It truly is a five-star picture-book.

Horton Hatches the Egg was the very first Horton story penned by the renowned Dr. Seuss. It achieved great acclaim and won the prestigious Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1958. This book holds a special place in the hearts of many.

My Take

As I delved into Horton Hatches the Egg, I could truly fathom why it is regarded as a classic. The cadence of the text was simply captivating, and it had me completely engrossed from start to finish. The illustrations were equally charming - simple, yet full of character and humor. It was a joy to behold.

Aww, I absolutely loved it! Finally, I was getting to the root of those famous quotes that I had been hearing throughout my life. The lines, "I meant what I said
And I said what I meant…
An elephant's faithful
One hundred per cent." really stuck with me. Dr. Seuss did an outstanding job of telling this story through rhymes that flowed effortlessly. It was a heartwarming tale about perseverance and keeping one's promise, no matter the obstacles, with a beautiful payoff at the end.

The Characters

Horton, the white elephant, is a character full of compassion and determination. He shows us the importance of being true to our word. On the other hand, Mayzie is a rather lazy mama bird. There are also the hunters who initially seem like a threat but end up doing a good thing, and the circus people who play an important role in the story.

The Cover and Title

The cover of the book is truly eye-catching. It features a bright green background with a white elephant perched on an orange nest set in the crook of a tree that has to be propped up. Below him is a black silhouette of grassy ground and white clouds in the sky. The title, Horton Hatches the Egg, is written in orange, as is the author's name, which is neatly tucked into the black ground. The title perfectly encapsulates the essence of the story - Horton's commitment to hatching the egg as he said he would.

The first book in the Horton series is truly a captivating one.

Horton, the protagonist, is an extremely kind elephant. He finds himself tricked into taking care of a lazy bird's egg. Without hesitation, he climbs up and endures all kinds of weather conditions for the sake of this egg.

The other animals in the story taunt and mock him, but Horton doesn't let their words bother him. He remains focused on his task.

My favorite character is undoubtedly Horton. His kindness and determination are truly inspiring.

The least favorite character is, obviously, that lazy bird.

The favorite part of the story is Horton's unwavering loyalty. Even in the face of mockery, he stays true to his word and continues to take care of the egg.

The least favorite part is when the bird comes back to claim her egg.

Overall, the ending of the book was lovely. We really enjoy these books and look forward to reading more in the series.

Probably my favorite of all the Dr. Seuss books is [book name].

This book has always held a special place in my heart. The vivid illustrations and imaginative stories are truly captivating.

Dr. Seuss has a unique way of creating a world that is both奇幻 and engaging. The characters are unforgettable, and their adventures always leave me with a sense of wonder.

Whether it's the mischievous antics of the Cat in the Hat or the touching story of Horton Hears a Who, each book offers something different and wonderful.

I love how Dr. Seuss uses his books to teach important lessons about kindness, acceptance, and the power of imagination.

Overall, [book name] is not just a children's book, but a classic that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a testament to the genius of Dr. Seuss and his ability to create stories that will be cherished for generations to come.

Ah, the remarkable difference a few years can make in the development of little kids! Tonight, my niece, nephew, and I delved into the enchanting world of Horton Hatches the Egg, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the kids' diverse reactions to this captivating book.

My nephew, a four-year-old, is at a stage in his development where he is a very literal and black-and-white kind of kid. Nuance simply eludes him. His literalism reared its head once again after reading Horton Hatches the Egg. With a gasp, he exclaimed, "Dat elephant shouldn't have turned dat egg into an elephant-bird! Dat wasn't his egg! Birds are not elephants!" In his innocent eyes, Horton is seen as an egg-snatcher and the creator of abominations of nature. When you're four and only see the surface, that's precisely what you perceive in this book.

Ah, but there's a deeper subtext, which, thankfully, my niece noticed! After my nephew's indignant proclamation, my niece said to him, "Well, that egg's mom was not responsible! She left the egg! Horton took care of it--he was responsible, so it should be his egg! If people have children, they should be responsible, like Horton!" I couldn't help but chuckle. Horton Hatches the Egg truly sparked a lively debate in the car tonight!

Aside from the amusement I derived from listening to the kids debate this book, I also found great pleasure in Horton Hatches the Egg. I deeply identified with Horton's unwavering commitment of giving himself "one hundred percent" to loving, nurturing, and protecting a child, even though that child wasn't his. I adored the fact that the reward was a loved, nurtured, and protected child, and that all of Horton's responsibility, hard work, and sacrifice were beautifully reflected back to him in the form of that strange (yet wonderful) little "elephant-bird."