Common Sense Media Review
By Robyn Raymer , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Polite boy gets in trouble in funny early Seuss book.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When King Derwin's carriage rolls into town, Bartholomew Cubbins respectfully removes his hat along with everyone else. But another hat appears upon the boy's head -- and another, and another, and another. Furious, King Derwin orders Bartholomew to be brought to the palace. Various royal experts try in vain to get rid of the boy's bewitched headgear, and when Bartholomew receives a death sentence, the friendly executioner explains that it's unlawful to behead people with their hats on.
The king's nasty young nephew offers to push Bartholomew from the highest turret, and on the way upstairs the hats -- which Bartholomew keeps removing -- grow fancier and fancier. Derwin is so entranced by hat 500, a plumed, bejeweled dazzler, that he pardons Bartholomew, spanks his nephew, and buys the hat for 500 gold pieces. Once the king lifts his purchase from Bartholomew's head, the boy is relieved to feel breezes ruffling his hair.
Is It Any Good?
This is a delightful, funny early Seuss book written in unrhymed prose and illustrated with witty cartoons, and it mkes a great read-aloud. The beautifully crafted prose rolls off the tongue, and there's a whole range of funny minor characters. Bartholomew is polite and helpful throughout his ordeal, and his self-confidence never seems to fail him. "The king can do nothing dreadful to punish me," he reasons, "because I really haven't done anything wrong."
This is best read one-on-one so listeners can ask questions, count hats, and peruse the lovingly drawn cartoons (black and white, with red reserved for Bartholomew's hats).
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Bartholomew's plight in The 500 Hats of Batholomew Cubbins. Have you ever been blamed for something that wasn't your fault? How did you handle it?
How do you think Bartholomew's situation might have turned out if he had been less gracious and polite?
What other Dr. Seuss Books have your read? How does this one compare?
Book Details
- Author: Dr. Seuss
- Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Fairy Tales
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Random House
- Publication date: September 1, 1938
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 48
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Read Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate