The Seuss Rhyming Haiku Quiz

Answer: The Sneetches (and Other Stories)

Dr. Seuss told the story of the Star-Bellied Sneetches, who looked down their yellow noses at other Sneetches who had no star. It was a book about how we may not see the real person (or Sneetch), and may just look at the outside. The silly Sneetches even had a star-making machine for bellies!

Answer: Horton Hears a Who

Horton is an elephant who hears voices coming from a dust speck. He wants to protect the small people on the dust speck from a mean kangaroo who thinks Horton is crazy! Jane, the kangaroo, wants to boil that dust speck! This is a tale about taking care of others. "A person's a person, no matter how small!" (a quote from "Horton Hears a Who")

Answer: The Cat in the Hat

While Mom is away, the Cat in the Hat has fun with the kids, Conrad and Sally. Then his "friends," Thing 1 and Thing 2, make a mess! Mom is returning soon! But never fear. The cat in the large striped hat and bow tie has a special machine that will help save the day! The book has many lessons, but one lesson is "Beware of who you let into your house!" says writer Offir Gutelzon in the article "Don't Let That Cat in the Hat In: 5 Lessons From Kids' Stories."

Answer: How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Dr. Seuss told this story about The Grinch trying to steal Christmas from the citizens of Whoville. The Grinch thought Christmas was all about presents and food, so he stole both. Why? Dr. Seuss said maybe it was because his heart was too small. Cindy-Lou Who (who was "no more than 2") woke up and saw him, but he lied to her to get her to go back to bed.

The Grinch, however, learned the true spirit of Christmas when the Whos still joyously celebrated the holiday.

Answer: The Butter Battle Book

Dr. Seuss told the story of the Yooks and Zooks who both loved buttered bread. One loved butter on top and one loved butter on the bottom. Instead of being happy with their shared love of the treat, they fought. It is a story of intolerance. "The Teach Peace Foundation" at www.teachpeace.com points out that the story ends with a blank page "leaving a cliff-hanger ending that is open to interpretation." In 1984, the book made the New York Times best-seller list, for adults!

Answer: Green Eggs and Ham

This story's lesson was about trying things that may not be what we are used to! Sam-I-Am was pushing green food that day. Dr. Seuss told the story about what happened when the strange colored eggs and ham finally got tasted!

A story is told in an article excerpted from "Scatterbrained, a mental_floss book": "In 1960, publisher Bennett Cerf bet Dr. Seuss $50 that Seuss couldn't write a book using only 50 different words." Dr. Seuss, the article said, responded with "Green Eggs and Ham." (quotes from "5 Stories About Dr. Seuss" at www.mentalfloss.com)

Answer: Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Published in 1990, this was Dr. Seuss' last book that he lived to see published. "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" is a book of possibilities. The book encourages readers, young and old, to expect success. ("Sam and the Firefly" was edited by Dr. Seuss, and written by P. D. Eastman. A huge Thank You to player ertrum for the correction!)

Answer: The Lorax

Dr. Seuss told the tale of the Lorax, who guarded the last Truffula tree from the factory who would chop it down and make Thneeds ("a Fine-Something-That-All-People-Need!"). The story is a warning of what may happen when our greed overcomes our attention to our environment.

In 2012, Kevin Cardenas wrote the article "The Morals of THE LORAX" (in RHYME!), published at prezi.com, in which he tells of the lessons we should take from this book of greed/need. In short, we need to pay attention to the gifts of nature!

Answer: Horton Hatches an Egg

Horton says, "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. . . An elephant's faithful, one hundred per cent!" in Dr. Seuss' book about loyalty. Horton the elephant sits on Maize's egg while she goes on vacation. Horton takes his responsibilities seriously! This is a tale about keeping your word, no matter how tough that becomes.

Answer: The Book of Feet

Dr. Seuss wrote this book of opposites, teaching many adjectives for FEET! Although Dr. Seuss' books often had a lesson for us all, this is one book where a moral does not seem to be obvious. This book is just a fun book of opposite descriptions relating to feet.