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Dr. "Yertle" shows us how bullying hurts the victims, but it also hurts the bully. Seuss may appear to have written his books for young children--but readers of all ages enjoy his gift for the rhythm of language and the whimsical illustrations. Each of the stories in this book has an important lesson presented for children by an author who can think and speak like a child; it's not hard to get the points. "Gertrude McFuzz" experiences the folly of wanting more than what is good for her, and learns the value of contentment. "The Big Brag" is a "got ya." story, and will enaable children to recognize the situation when it happpens in real life.
Poor Gertrude wants a tail just like the prettiest birdie around--which girl hasn't been harmed by a culture where they feel they're not as pretty as the girls in the magazines. The other two stories--"Gertrude McFuzz" and "The Big Brag"--are also worthy of note. With our daughters getting media-heavy messages that they're not good enough as they are they need to hear that they're perfectly fine the way they are without the aid of plastic surgery (the metaphor of the "pillberry vine" can be easily substituted for the Botox needle). Not all revolutions count the cost in blood.sometimes, it's actually mud that makes us all equal in the end.
After all, we all have things about us that make us special. Such a wonderful and hopeful story to start off this book, but let's not forget the other lessons that it can teach not just our kids but ourselves as well. After all, the second story in the book, "Gertrude McFuzz", is a helpful fable about how girls put themselves down because they compare their bodies to those of other girls. There are actually three stories in this book, but Yertle seems to get the lion's share of the attention. Yertle may be the star of this book, but "Gertrude McFuzz" and "The Big Brag" have a great deal to teach as well. I only wish I could have read "Gertrude McFuzz" when I was a child.
"The Big Brag" is also a wonderful story for kids because, well, which kid has never been in a bragging contest. This story deals with two animals bragging about how wonderful they are because of their special talents until a wizened worm let's them know that bragging never solves anything.
Three great stories in one great book, which makes it perfect for little kids who just can't get through longer books during a bedtime read. I'll still love the revolutionary story of "Yertle the Turtle" and that plain little turtle named Mack who coughs and fells a swelled-headed king who oppresses those literally underneath him.
No need to fight over who's the better of the two cause there will always be someone else who's better still. In a way, it's one of the most forward-thinking stories written by Dr.
Seuss. Many a schoolyard brawl could be avoided if enough kids got the message that this story teaches so well.So if you have (or buy) this book, make sure you share all these great stories with your kids.
Highly recommended for both boys and girls.
I can't emphasize how good the three stories within this book are. Not only do they entertain my 4 year old (we read this book almost every night) but I can't wait to read this book as well. All three stories share a theme - arrogance, jealousy, and ignorance are all for not. Entertaining both visually and verbally - a must have for your child's collection.
And far be it for me to argue that they aren't correct. The stories are poignant. The second story is "Gertrude McFuzz". It's about a king turtle that decides that his pond is not kingdom enough.
In the end though, she comes to appreciate what she has.The final story continues with the theme of humility and is entitled, "The Big Brag".The Accelerated Reading designation for this book is 3.3 which means that your average 3rd Grader in the 3rd month of school should be able to read this book themselves without getting too frustrated by words they don't know. He orders his subjects -- other turtles -- to stack themselves so that he can see further; his assumption being that he is the king of all he surveys.It's actually very amusing to see how many ways there are to interpret this story. A quick trip over to Amazon.com will show you that people view Yertle as everything from simple bossy-boots, to a stand in for Hitler or Stalin. Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories is amongst Seuss' best works. Meant for practice reading, Seuss tried to include useful messages when he could. Personally, my first thought was that Yertle was like the British Aristocracy, while the lowly turtle Mac (at the bottom of the stack) was the American Colonies.
Gertrude is a bird that is suffering from jealousy. She sees La-La Lee Lou and wants a grand tale like her.
The ones in this books are particularly useful and deal with consideration, jealousy, and bragging. They are all great Read-a-Louds, and they have great rhymes.The first of the three stories is Yertle the Turtle.
[The book can be read to any age, of course].The "official" Interest Level is given as Preschool thru 2nd Grade. And, in fact, this is the power of this story.
That it can be understood from different perspectives, so that children can 'grow into' various interpretations. I, personally, disagree and think this makes no sense given the reading designation, and would suggest Preschool on thru fourth grade.
Highly recommended.Pam T~mom and reviewer for www.BooksForKids-Reviews
he's one excellant teacher. This is a great book to read at nap, bedtime, or anytime. It also teaches good lessons in a fun way.
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