The Cat in the Hat is one of my favorite books. I love to read the book to my first grade students when we celebrate Dr. Seuss Day. The students really enjoy listening to the story. They identify the rhyming words as I read the story. They like the mischieveous cat, and they think that Thing One and Thing Two are funny. Another book that presents tension in the story is Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman. Sam is an owl that comes out when the moon is up. He is lonely and wants a friend. Sam sees a mysterious light. He sees Gus the Firefly. He thinks Gus is a friend, but he is a trickster. He is a talented troublemaker like the cat is in the Cat in the Hat. He makes lines of light in the air. Sam has the technique and Gus has the fire. Sam tricks Gus into writing out Gus and Sam in one stroke. Sam soars through the sky thinking he has found a reflection of himself. Sam has given Gus the skill he needs to be a great artist, and he runs off and uses it to create destruction just like the cat does in the little boy and girl's house. After Gus realizes all the problems he has caused, Sam and Gus work together to write useful messages. When the sun comes up, the adventure is over, and the magic is gone. The two friends part from each other.
The Cat in the Hat still appeals to children because of the humor and rhyme. Dr. Seuss uses bright illustrations and childish nonsense. There are some good moral messages such as, don't let a stranger in the house. The simple rhythmic text makes the story easy for children to follow.
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