I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and Other Stories

Rating:
Summary: Dr. Seuss makes a series of lessons in a trio of stories
Review: "I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and Other Stories" presents a trio of stories told in verse and illustrated by Dr. Seuss in 1969. Each story makes a simple point. The title story is about a young fellow who looks like a smaller version of the Cat in the Hat (there is reason to believe he is part of the next generation) who declares that he can lick thirty tigers today. However, as soon as he see the thirty tigers he starts finding reasons to whittle down that number, which should indicate to young readers the problems of biting off more than you can chew (pick whatever phrase that expresses this idea you like even if it is your eyes are bigger than your stomach).

"King Looie Katz" is about the fancy cat named Looie who was the King of Katzen-stein and who was so proud of his royal tail that not only did he wash it every morning in a ten-gallon golden pail. In fact, King Looie is so proud that he decides that his tail should never be allowed to touch the earth and he made Fooie Katz follow him around and keep from dragging on the ground. When Fooie notices his tail is sagging he makes Kooie Katz lift up his tail. Soon all the cats in Katzen-stein are walking round and round keeping each other's tails from dragging on the ground. All the cats, that is, except one in this simple story about being more "demo-catic."

Finally there is "The Glunk that Got Thunk," which has the distinction of being the wordiest Dr. Seuss story I have ever read. The sister of the small cat we met in the first story likes to go upstairs after supper and use her Thinker-Upper. Usually she thinks up friendly little things with smiles and fuzzy fur. But one night she decides to go for go for something more fun and discovers she has thunked a Glunk. There are two problems with this. First, a Glunk cannot be UN-thunk. Second, this Glunk calls his mother each night, which is an expensive long distance phone call (ten dollars a minute), and this particular Glunk will never stop talking (which explains why this story gets so wordy; beginning readers will be amazed). There are actually several lessons that can be drawn from this one.

None of these are what I would call first level Dr. Seuss books but there are three of them, which just about adds up to a solid collection. You readers might find it strange to find three short stories collected in one, but there are other such collections out there. These stories are a bit more inclined towards making points beyond the good doctor's normal delightful infatuation with the realm of imagination.

Rating:
Summary: Dr. Seuss makes a series of lessons in a trio of stories
Review: "I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and Other Stories" presents a trio of stories told in verse and illustrated by Dr. Seuss in 1969. Each story makes a simple point. The title story is about a young fellow who looks like a smaller version of the Cat in the Hat (there is reason to believe he is part of the next generation) who declares that he can lick thirty tigers today. However, as soon as he see the thirty tigers he starts finding reasons to whittle down that number, which should indicate to young readers the problems of biting off more than you can chew (pick whatever phrase that expresses this idea you like even if it is your eyes are bigger than your stomach).

"King Looie Katz" is about the fancy cat named Looie who was the King of Katzen-stein and who was so proud of his royal tail that not only did he wash it every morning in a ten-gallon golden pail. In fact, King Looie is so proud that he decides that his tail should never be allowed to touch the earth and he made Fooie Katz follow him around and keep from dragging on the ground. When Fooie notices his tail is sagging he makes Kooie Katz lift up his tail. Soon all the cats in Katzen-stein are walking round and round keeping each other's tails from dragging on the ground. All the cats, that is, except one in this simple story about being more "demo-catic."

Finally there is "The Glunk that Got Thunk," which has the distinction of being the wordiest Dr. Seuss story I have ever read. The sister of the small cat we met in the first story likes to go upstairs after supper and use her Thinker-Upper. Usually she thinks up friendly little things with smiles and fuzzy fur. But one night she decides to go for go for something more fun and discovers she has thunked a Glunk. There are two problems with this. First, a Glunk cannot be UN-thunk. Second, this Glunk calls his mother each night, which is an expensive long distance phone call (ten dollars a minute), and this particular Glunk will never stop talking (which explains why this story gets so wordy; beginning readers will be amazed). There are actually several lessons that can be drawn from this one.

None of these are what I would call first level Dr. Seuss books but there are three of them, which just about adds up to a solid collection. You readers might find it strange to find three short stories collected in one, but there are other such collections out there. These stories are a bit more inclined towards making points beyond the good doctor's normal delightful infatuation with the realm of imagination.

Rating:
Summary: Lessons taught in the most wonderful way possible
Review: These three stories are a wonderful trip for children into an imaginative world, where they learn important lessons, in the most fun way possible.
In the first, 'I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today' the character learns that his bravado does not live up to the reality, in 'The Glunk that Got Thunk' children learn how insurmountable problems can be solved by working together and keeping a level head, and in 'King Loii Katz' children learn a very important lesson:
That sometimes one has to follow ones own conscience and put a stop to the bandwagon. It only takes one to say 'ENOUGH'.
Beautifully illustrated, and with a wonderful sense of humour and imagination.

Rating:
Summary: Lessons taught in the most wonderful way possible
Review: These three stories are a wonderful trip for children into an imaginative world, where they learn important lessons, in the most fun way possible.
In the first, `I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today' the character learns that his bravado does not live up to the reality, in `The Glunk that Got Thunk' children learn how insurmountable problems can be solved by working together and keeping a level head, and in `King Loii Katz' children learn a very important lesson:
That sometimes one has to follow ones own conscience and put a stop to the bandwagon. It only takes one to say `ENOUGH'.
Beautifully illustrated, and with a wonderful sense of humour and imagination.

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite as a Child, Now My Daughter's Favorite. . .
Review: This book (or books, since there are 3 complete stories within the covers) is a fantastic journey into the extended family of the Cat in the Hat. His great great great grandfather learns a lesson about hubris. His son learns the dangers of overconfident bragging. His daughter learns the value of teamwork, and why families need to stand up for one another. The language is delightfully silly for children, yet parents will recognize friends, family and foes in Seuss' wise and deadly accurate characterizations. I got this book c.1970 and it was my favorite, now my 3-year old daughter has me read it every day. NOTE: As a four year old, I found the Glunk a little scary. My daughter doesn't seem to have that apprehension! A pleasure to read that children will love!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty cute book
Review: This is not your typical Seuss book - it has 3 stories, all of which teach a little lesson. Once again, Seuss' language can be a little obnoxious so I must warn you there that you'll need to change a few words like "stupid" as you go. That word just doesn't sound too great coming from a two-year-old. Anyway, it shows how you should be careful of what you say before you say it in I can lick 30 tigers (meaning, beat them up and not actually "taste them" as you may think), how you should take care of yourself and not let others tell you what to do in King Louie, and to watch what you think about and how you spend your spare time in Thunk Glunk. Valuable lessons and entertaining as well. Not too big of a favorite in this house, but worth reading once in awhile.

Rating:
Summary: If you love Dr. Seuss, you need this book
Review: This is one of the great Dr. Seuss books that a lot of people don't seem to know about. Really, really fun and a little bit different from the others. My nephew cracks up every single time I read it to him.

Rating:
Summary: If you love Dr. Seuss, you need this book
Review: This is one of the great Dr. Seuss books that a lot of people don't seem to know about. Really, really fun and a little bit different from the others. My nephew cracks up every single time I read it to him.