Bartholomew and the Ooblek by Dr. Seuss-ESSENTIAL

Dr. Seuss Bartholomew and the Oobleck. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children’s Books, 2014 Reprint. $17.99.

King Derwin of Didd is tired of the four same things falling from the sky.  The rain, the sunshine, the fog and the snow were simply not good enough for the king and his kingdom. “I ‘m mighty tired of those old things! I want something NEW to come down!” He called his page boy, Bartholomew Cubbins, to fetch his secret whistle and call his royal magicians.  Bartholomew begged the king to rethink his plan, but the king would hear nothing of it.  “Shuffle, duffle, muzzle, muff. Fista, wista, mista-cuff. Tell us what you wish, oh King.  Our magic can do anything.” The king told the magicians that he wished for something to fall from the sky that no other kingdom had ever seen before.  Working their magic the king got what he wanted and the following morning something called OOBLECK began to fall from the sky. The results were disastrous! Although his kingdom was quickly in ruins, King Derwin refused to accept responsibility.  It wasn’t until he was willing to say, “It is all my fault.  And I am sorry!” that the kingdom’s sky ceased to drop OOBLECK.  

True to Seuss’s style, this book is interesting and creative from beginning to end.  We loved how the illustrations are completely in black and white until the green OOBLECK begins to fall- and green is the only color found in the story.  We loved this book.  We loved the message that no one, not even a king, is exempt from saying they are sorry and admitting when something is their fault.  We also liked the message that we should be content with what we have and see the good in the life we are living.  

EL (K-3) - EL - ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer: SL.