I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew : (Reissue)

Rating:
Summary: my favorite dr. seuss
Review: As a child, someone read this book to me only once, and I looked for it ever afterward. It seemed more magical, somehow, than all the other Doctor Sues books. In college, I stumbled across it again and bought it. It's still one of my favorites'a great pick-me-up if you're feeling beat, definitely good for college students.

The story is about a fellow who has troubles and so goes looking for the beautiful city of 'Solla Sollew, on the banks of the beautiful river wha-hoo, where they never have troubles, at least very few!' Well, as you can imagine, he has a terrible time getting to Solla Sollew'flood ands wars and wild beasts'and when he finally gets there, he discovers that the advantages of Solla Sollew have been somewhat exaggerated. He ends up going back home with a new attitude. The story isn't any different than many similar stories, but the rhymes are particularly lyrical, the artwork particularly funny. I pull it out every few months and read it, and I laugh every time.

Rating:
Summary: A Literary Masterpiece!
Review: I almost regret that my 2 1/2 year old is so well read. This may be the most enjoyable book I've ever read. Alas, he has too many other books to keep my appetite for Solla Sollew sated.

Aside from the fun that is typical of Dr. Seuss, this book provides the foundations for critical thought that humans must develop to succeed. When offered the opportunity to travel to the city of Boola Boo Ball, "where they never have troubles, no troubles at all," the protagonist "does some quick thinking inside of [his] head." He foregoes this "paradise" in favor of his home land, the Valley of Vung, knowing full well he is likely to meet with many of the troubles he encountered traveling to Solla Sollew. Considering his disappointment upon arriving at Solla Sollew (where the prophecy of very few troubles turned out to be false) his decision was truly inspired. Bravo, Lad!

Rating:
Summary: Dr. Seuss' best book ever
Review: This book in on my short list of favorites of any kind. It is right up there with Tom Sawyer, Hawaii, Captains Courageous, Gone with the Wind, ... So if you want to entertain the little ones and plant a seed in their minds that will do them some good when they decide how to live their lives, there is only one book better to read to them from.

I had trouble in getting to Solla Sollew shares insight most of us take a lifetime to learn. Trying to avoid our troubles only leads to more trouble. The things we acquire and use to cope with troubles are more trouble than aid. Not everyone who offers to help actually helps you. People who depend on you can seldom be depended upon. And, the road to Utopia is eternally closed for construction.

So for all of us who have been surrounded by "more Poozers than I'd ever seen" the Motto "Now my troubles will have troubles with Me!" is the way it will be.

Rating:
Summary: The Grass Only Seems To Be Greener Elsewhere
Review: This book is great for the child who is never satisfied, or is too easily discouraged.

The story opens with a happy, carefree young furry creature with a tail in the Valley of Vung starting to have problems because he gets careless and doesn't look around. Discouraged by these setbacks, he is all ears when a chap on a One-Wheeler Wubble comes along and says that there's never any trouble in the City of Solla Sollew, and offers take him there. The trip turns out to be very arduous and difficult. Finally at Solla Sollew, a new problem arises. From this experience, he decides to be more proactive in the future. "Now my troubles are going, To have trouble with me!"

Like all of the Dr. Seuss books, this one is enlivened by hilarious creatures, dramatic and colorful illustrations, and a pleasant rhyming scheme that uses funny names to aid the rhymes.

One of the most difficult lessons for people to learn is that we carry the seeds of all our problems and opportunities around with us. Simply changing the scenery may not be enough, if our old ways of thinking still guide us. If you are somewhat depressed and see no opportunity in one place, even in an earthly paradise you can still experience life the same way.

Many people go through life looking for the perfect mate, house, and job, only to be constantly disappointed. In I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew, that voyage toward perfection can be quickly experienced and the lesson learned. Here is where a parent can make a big difference. You need to share some experiences in your own life where you lived this story, and share what you learned as a result. In this way, you can help you child in later years by providing an alternative perspective and reminding her or him or this story. "Are you going to Solla Sollew?" can be a shorthand way of encouraging your child to re-examine the purpose of the sought-for change.

For an adult, the benefit from this story can be to help you consider whether all of the error-elimination you pursue is worth the effort. My clients frequently are interested in reducing their error rate. They may be starting, though, in an area with an error rate that is only one in ten million occurrences. And the area being considered may be relatively unimportant to the success of the organization. The same effort could instead make important improvements in some area where mistakes abound, results do matter, and perfection is an impossible dream.

Decide what the problem is before you grab just any solution!

Rating:
Summary: Underappreciated
Review: This Dr. Seuss classic story is underappareciated by readers young and old. The verse is creative and enchanting, and reminiscent of that old stand-by, "There's a Wocket In My Pocket", with its fantastical inventions.

Not to mention, this particular story teaches a valuable lesson about how "the grass is always greener on the other side".

If you're a Seuss fan and haven't checked this one out yet, give it a try.