Common Sense Media Review
By Robyn Raymer , based on child development research. How do we rate?
The kids' classic that put Dr. Seuss on the map.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Two children, Conrad and his sister Sally, are moping indoors on a rainy day when in strolls THE CAT IN THE HAT. Making one of the most unforgettable entrances in the history of children's literature, the lanky feline, stylishly dressed in a candy-striped stovepipe hat and oversized bow tie, creates a whirlwind of misbehavior that the kids are at first powerless to stop. He opens a box and releases Thing 1 and Thing 2, who cause even more trouble. But the goldfish is the voice of reason, and Conrad sends the Cat and his friends packing. The mess gets cleaned up before the kids' mom comes home.
Is It Any Good?
This is a must-read classic for every child. The Cat in the Hat was born in response to a pivotal Life magazine article titled "Why Johnny Can't Read." Children's author Theodor S. Geisel—aka Dr. Seuss—spent more than a year shuffling a minimal assortment of words, polishing and polishing, until he produced this wacky, offbeat story for very young readers.
The Cat wanders into the house, juggles objects, and invites his unusual pals to help him trash the place. But the children's grumpy goldfish, a self-appointed babysitter, is a perfect foil for the mischievous Cat. And after the boy finally asserts himself and orders the fun-loving feline to "pack up those Things" and hit the road, the Cat is the picture of remorse—even his whiskers and bow tie droop. The Cat in the Hat is a wonderful read-aloud and a rollicking good time for kids and grown-ups alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Dr. Seuss' unique use of language in The Cat in the Hat. What's fun about a book that uses rhyming to tell the story?
How many sets of rhyming words can you find in the text? Do you notice any kind of pattern with rhyming pairs?
What would happen in real life after the Cat's irresponsible behavior?
What did you think about the Cat continuing his behavior even after the fish asked him to stop? How would you feel if someone was being mean to you and didn't stop when you asked them to?
Do you think the children will be honest with their mother about what actually happened in the house that day? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author: Dr. Seuss
- Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
- Genre: Humor
- Topics: Book Characters , Brothers and Sisters , Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- Book type: Fiction
- Publication date: January 1, 1957
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 5 - 8
- Number of pages: 61
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: March 4, 2024
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