book report on cat in the hat

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Monday 26 September 2011

Review: the cat in the hat.

The Cat in the Hat

By dr. seuss.

‘The Cat in the Hat’ has become a beloved classic in children's literature, cherished for its lively characters and entertaining narrative.

Article written by Ugo Juliet

Former Lecturer. Author of multiple books. Degree from University Of Nigeria, Nsukka.

‘ The Cat in the Hat ’ by Dr. Seuss is a classic children’s book known for its playful language and memorable characters . This timeless children’s book, authored and illustrated by Dr. Seuss in 1957, revolves around two siblings, a brother and sister, who are stuck indoors on a rainy day. The Cat, a mischievous and imaginative character, suddenly appears at their door, promising to bring fun and excitement to their day.

Spoiler Free Summary

Two rainy-day blues got you down? Well, buckle up, because a tall, red-and-white-striped cat can just flip your frown upside down! The Cat in the Hat, with his mischievous grin and Thing One and Thing Two in tow, is here to turn a dull day into a zany whirlwind of silliness. The book is a celebration of imagination reminding us that the world is full of possibilities, and the greatest adventures are often those we create in our own minds.

It’s a story of two young siblings, Sally and her unnamed brother, who are left home alone on a rainy day. Their boredom is quickly interrupted by the arrival of the Cat, a whirlwind of energy and mischief. He proceeds to turn their quiet afternoon into a hilarious parade of silliness, involving balancing acts, goldfish in bowls, and Thing One and Thing Two, the Cat’s mischievous twin sidekicks.

Get ready for balancing acts that defy gravity, bathtub romps with a fishy posse, and a giant ball of yarn that can unravel a whole lot of fun (and maybe a little chaos too). But don’t fret, amidst the madcap mayhem, Sally and her brother learn some surprising things about imagination, resourcefulness, and even cleaning up after a day of unexpected surprises. While the story presents chaotic situations, at its core, it highlights the importance of imaginative play as a valuable learning tool. 

So join the Cat and his crew, hold on tight to your giggles, and let your imagination soar. Just remember, when Mom comes home, everything better be squeaky clean, or this whirlwind adventure might land everyone in a bit of hot water. This is essentially the story but without revealing any spoilers at all. In the next section, you will now see the full plot summary. 

‘ The Cat in the Hat ’ has become a beloved classic in children’s literature, cherished for its lively characters, entertaining narrative, and the many underlying messages that encourage creativity and responsibility. The book is known for its playful rhyming verses and whimsical illustrations, both of which are characteristic of Dr. Seuss’s unique style and which is attractive to kids of all ages.

Full Plot Summary

Warning – This article contains important details and spoilers

The story begins with the two siblings, Sally and her brother, who were bored and stuck indoors on a rainy day. We can infer this from the phrase in the second sentence at the beginning of the book, “It was too wet to play…”. Their mother is out, and they have nothing to do until the Cat in the Hat arrives. As the children ponder what to do a mischievous cat suddenly appears at their door and comes inside. 

Two playful characters, who create even more mischief, accompany the cat. The Cat introduces himself and his companions, Thing 1 and Thing 2 and together they wreak havoc in the house. Although they didn’t present their actions as causing havoc, they made the kids believe they were having fun. The Cat proposes various entertaining activities to alleviate their boredom. Even though the siblings are concerned about the mess, the Cat assures them he can clean up after the fun and games.

The story continues in chapter three where the Cat’s antics lead to a chaotic, messy situation in the house. The children’s pet goldfish, who dislikes the cat, expresses disapproval, warning the children about the consequences of the Cat’s actions. The children are anxious as the mess grows and worry about their mother’s return and the consequences that will follow. As the chaos escalates, the children must decide whether to listen to the wise fish or continue enjoying the cat’s entertaining but disruptive presence.

Well, the cat fulfills his promise of cleaning up after the fun. As the mess escalates, the Cat introduces a cleaning device, more like a contraption called the “Voom” to fix everything and clean up the mess. Thing 1 and Thing 2, the cat’s companions,and the children assist in cleaning up the chaos. After the cleaning, the Cat and his companions leave just before the children’s mother arrives. 

As the cat cleans up the mess in the end, just before the children’s mother returns home, it leaves an ambiguous question about whether the cat was a troublemaker or a catalyst for fun. Also, towards the end of the story, the fish reflects on the day’s events and the chaos caused by the Cat. The children are not left out in the reflection as they too  ponder the excitement and mess created by the cat in the hat. 

Apart from teaching moral lessons to kids, one of the best traits of good children’s books is that kids can learn more about society through it. In this book, the cat challenges traditional authority, representing a figure who disrupts order and introduces an element of rebellion. This also aligns with children’s tendency to go against established authority in the school and the home and always try to impose their will and fancies. The book has been cherished for decades for its entertaining and imaginative narrative while teaching stuff to kids.

This book is renowned for its rhyming verses, whimsical illustrations, and the memorable character of the cat in the hat. The story conveys a sense of adventure and mischief while emphasizing the importance of responsibility and cleaning up after oneself. “ The Cat in the Hat ” is beloved for its whimsical rhymes, engaging storytelling, and iconic characters. It has become a timeless classic in children’s literature, captivating readers with its imaginative and entertaining narrative. The book celebrates the power of imagination and creativity in children.

The Cat, with his mischievous grin and playful chaos, serves as a reminder that learning can be fun, messy, and sometimes even a little bit rule-breaking. It’s through this playful exploration that children can develop valuable skills, discover their creativity, and learn the importance of responsibility – all while having a whale of a time.

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About Ugo Juliet

Juliet Ugo is an experienced content writer and a literature expert with a passion for the written word with over a decade of experience. She is particularly interested in analyzing books, and her insightful interpretations of various genres have made her a well-known authority in the field.

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Parents' guide to, the cat in the hat.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 14 Reviews
• Kids Say 15 Reviews

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

Parents need to know that Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat is a classic early reader book, originally published in 1957, about a walking, talking cat who visits two children on a rainy day while their mother is out. Young readers will mostly side with the reckless, fun-inspiring Cat and his sidekicks, Thing 1…

Why Age 4+?

Any positive content.

Simple vocabulary for beginning readers. Good introduction to poetry.

Though not as clear-cut as Dr. Seuss' other stories, the overall message of this

Despite his poor behavior, the Cat in the Hat is an enduring character. The true

The two kids are White, the boy gets the active role, they talk about their moth

Educational Value

Positive messages.

Though not as clear-cut as Dr. Seuss' other stories, the overall message of this tale is about fun: It's very important to have, but it's also necessary to set limits. When you make a mess, clean up after yourself.

Positive Role Models

Despite his poor behavior, the Cat in the Hat is an enduring character. The true voice of reason in this story is the family's pet fish, who opposes the Cat's exuberant, reckless behavior. But the Cat ignores the fish's multiple requests for him to stop, even when the Cat's behavior puts the fish in danger. The brother and sister come to have a strong sense of responsibility about setting limits on the fun that the Cat insists on having. Despite all the chaos he's caused, the Cat is able to clean up the mess he made moments before the mother returns, and he disappears without a trace.

Diverse Representations

The two kids are White, the boy gets the active role, they talk about their mother with no mention of a father, and the nonhuman characters are male (though technically, Thing One and Thing Two aren't gendered).

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Parents need to know that Dr. Seuss ' The Cat in the Hat is a classic early reader book, originally published in 1957, about a walking, talking cat who visits two children on a rainy day while their mother is out. Young readers will mostly side with the reckless, fun-inspiring Cat and his sidekicks, Thing 1 and Thing 2, not the guilt-tripping goldfish who serves as the voice of reason. The book's colorful illustrations capture the Cat's exuberant spirit and match the rapid-fire rhyming text, which will encourage multiple readings.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

• Parents say (14)
• Kids say (15)

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

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What to read next.

Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book

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The Cat in the Hat

By dr. seuss, the cat in the hat study guide.

The Cat in the Hat , published in 1957, seems like a simple, straightforward text. After all, Theodore Geisel, under the pen name Dr. Seuss , wrote beloved picture books for young children, and he used a total of 236 different words—most of which are a single syllable—to tell the story. Additionally, the book’s premise couldn’t be more conventional: two bored children receive an unexpected visitor—the mischievous Cat in the Hat—while their mother is away.

In spite of its simplicity, The Cat in the Hat remains one of the most subversive, provocative texts written for young children. The stylistic and illustrative peculiarities of Seuss have been so integral to children’s literature for decades that it seems difficult to imagine a time when his books were considered out-of-the-ordinary or inappropriate. After World War II, though, the Dick and Jane primers dominated the genre. Intentionally written to model well-mannered, compliant behavior for children, the Dick and Jane primers did not represent the wonderfully disobedient, egocentric, and fearful streaks of young children's natures. Additionally, Dick and Jane heavily relied on memorization techniques in teaching children how to read. This reliance came at the expense of creative plots, engrossing illustrations, and phonics, a literacy-instruction method that emphasizes the relationship between sounds and the correlating text.

Beginning in the mid-1950s, writers John Hersey and Rudolf Flesch began publicly deploring the ineffectiveness of mainstream young children’s literature. Hersey hailed Seuss, by contrast, as a “genius” capable of enriching the genre, and Flesch’s Why Johnny Can’t Read featured a list of 72 words that young children should be able to read. Hersey and Flesch’s criticisms led to publisher William Spaulding challenging Seuss to write a book entirely composed of words that every first grader should know. Spaulding additionally provided Seuss a limited list of words—similar to Flesch's list in Why Johnny Can’t Read— to use for the book. (Seuss has stated that Spaulding supplied a list of 347 words but insisted that the book’s vocabulary could only use 225 different words in total. However, Seuss has given different numbers in interviews throughout his career.) With that, The Cat in the Hat was born.

An instant smash hit, The Cat in the Hat sold over a million copies by 1960, three years after its initial publication. The book was a critical success, too: The Saturday Review ’s Helen Adams Masten hailed the book as a “tour de force,” stating, “Parents and teachers will bless Mr. Geisel for this amusing reader with its ridiculous and lively drawings, for their children are going to have the exciting experience of learning that they can read after all.” Ellen Lewis Buell of The New York Times Book Review shared Masten's praise: “Beginning readers and parents who have been helping them through the dreary activities of Dick and Jane and other primer characters are due for a happy surprise.”

The Cat in the Hat radically departed the conventions of the Dick and Jane primers—and redefined the children's literature genre in turn. In its questioning of authority, celebration of lively and boisterous fun, and endorsement of phonics, The Cat in the Hat proved that children’s literature can be serious, teachable, entertaining, and meaningful—all at the same time. Indeed, decades after The Cat in the Hat’ s publication, Seuss remarked, “It is the book I’m proudest of because it had something to do with the death of the Dick and Jane primers.” While Seuss took a risk in creating such a subversive work, it certainly paid off, as proven by its enduring respect and popularity within the world of children's literature.

The Cat in the Hat Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Cat in the Hat is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

how is the pattern recognition important in the chat in the hat

Are you referring to the book itself, and the rhyming pattern, or an activity using pattern recognition for young children?

cat in the hat

From the text:

and sally and i did not know what to say. should we tell her the things that went on there that day? should we tell her about it? now, what SHOULD we do? well... what would YOU do if your mother asked YOU?

what did the kids tell their mom when she asked what they did while she was out

Study Guide for The Cat in the Hat

The Cat in the Hat study guide contains a biography of Dr. Seuss, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Cat in the Hat
• The Cat in the Hat Summary
• Character List

The Cat in the Hat

Dr. Seuss | 4.44 | 407,144 ratings and reviews

Ranked #1 in Early Reader , Ranked #4 in 1st Grade — see more rankings .

Reviews and Recommendations

We've comprehensively compiled reviews of The Cat in the Hat from the world's leading experts.

Kate Milner The exuberance and the sheer energy of it is just fantastic. The rhyme and the repetition give it even more momentum and energy. (Source)

Rankings by Category

The Cat in the Hat is ranked in the following categories:

• #23 in 2nd Grade
• #8 in 3-Year-Old
• #10 in 4-Year-Old
• #4 in 6-Year-Old
• #16 in 7-Year-Old
• #77 in Animals
• #34 in Baby
• #17 in Beginner Reader
• #72 in Behavior
• #36 in Blue
• #40 in Cartoons
• #85 in Chapter
• #25 in Childhood
• #34 in Children's Classics
• #16 in Children’s
• #21 in Elementary
• #33 in Fish
• #89 in Girl
• #61 in Grace
• #27 in Illustrated
• #19 in Imagination
• #30 in Kinder
• #30 in Latin
• #38 in Nostalgia
• #7 in Pattern
• #12 in Picture
• #9 in Pre-K
• #18 in Preschool
• #33 in Problem Solving
• #27 in Toddler
• #81 in Young Reader
• #84 in Youth

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