The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins Author: Dr. Seuss | Language: English | ISBN:
B00ESF28IU | Format: EPUB
The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins Description
As topical today as when it was first published in 1938, this book tells of Bartholomew Cubbins (from Caldecott Honor winner
Bartholomew and the Oobleck) and his unjust treatment at the hands of King Derwin. Each time Bartholomew attempts to obey the king’s order to take off his hat, he finds there is another hat on his head. Soon it is Bartholomew’s head that is in danger . . . of being chopped off! While
The 500 Hats is one of Dr. Seuss’s earliest works, it is nevertheless totally Seussian, addressing subjects that we know the good doctor was passionate about: abuse of power (as in
Yertle the Turtle), rivalry (as in
The Sneetches), and of course, zany good humor!
- File Size: 16071 KB
- Print Length: 56 pages
- Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 24, 2013)
- Sold by: Random House LLC
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00ESF28IU
- Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
X-Ray:
- Lending: Not Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,143 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #25
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Early Learning > Poetry - #26
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Poetry - #30
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Values
- #25
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Early Learning > Poetry - #26
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Poetry - #30
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Values
The Bartholomew Cubbins books are examples of Dr. Suess's early children's stories ("The 500 Hats..." having been published in 1938), and thus they lack the sing-song poetry and and bright colors of his later works. They are my favorite Suess books, however, as they speak to any child who is frustrated and put upon by adults who talk down to them. The theme of The 500 Hats... is as relevant, if not more so, than it was when the book was originally published.
The magically re-appearing hats is frustrating to bartholomew, but to the adults around him it is a terrifying and disturbing thing, not because it is dangerous but because it threatens their sense of what should be. The interventions they try range from the simple (calling in "experts" like a tailor, wise men and magicians) to the desperate and frightening (ordering Bartholomew's head and the offending hats cut off). Throughout it all, bartholomew's desires and needs are forgotten, and he is looked upon merely as an extension of this "problem." Also involved is the king's nephew, a "normal" child who spearheads the movement to do away with Bartholomew, not out of fear or concern but out of simple spite. In the end, however, the magic and wonder of the event is recognized and celebrated rather than condemed.
I would particualrly recommend this book to parents of children with learning disorders. The themes descibed above would be particularly familiar, and the conclusion especially satisfying. The grim sections of the book (such as when the king orders bartholomew's execution) should not scare anyone off from what is a wonderful and inspiring story.
By David Michael Cohen
This volume differs from most of the Dr. Seuss books we are familiar with in that the text is unrhymed, and the book takes a good 20 minutes to read aloud. This is no liability; the story's interest develops immediately, and never lags. There is an impressively idiosyncratic cast of characters to enjoy and dramatize, and Seuss's use of language is a joy. Bartholomew himself is a gutsy, honest kid without a trace of arrogance or swagger. In addition, the drawings are more detailed than in later books, and really exhibit Seuss' s skill as a graphic artist, along the lines of Robert McCloskey's Make Way for Ducklings. I loved this book as a child, and my children adore it now. As enduring children's literature, I would place it above Cat in the Hat and Horton Hears a Who any day!
By A Customer
The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins Preview
Link
Please Wait...