GreenEggsAndHamI picked up Green eggs and Ham (by Dr.Suess) from the library. I am a big fan of Dr.Suess. This particular one is about teaching the kids to be open minded and trying something, especially new kind of foods, before saying no. It is illustrated with typical Dr.Suess characters and typical Dr.Suess rhyming words. Sam offers green eggs and ham to dog (well that’s what I call him) and dog says no. Sam must have the proverbial motherly genes in him because he does not take no for an answer, especially when it comes to food. He keeps offering dog, the green eggs and ham, trying to convince the dog that the food would be very good on a tree, in a car, in a train with a fox, in a box……The dog just snaps and says:

I don’t want them here, I do not want them there, I do not want them anywhere.
I would not eat them on a tree or in a car or in a train.
I would not eat them with a fox. I would not eat them in a box.
I would not eat them in a house. I would not eat them with a mouse.
I don’t like green eggs and ham.
So let me be.

Sam still persists and finally…..after lots of rhymes and repetitions, the dog gives up and tells Sam that he will try it if Sam leaves him alone.“I will try them if you let me be.” Dog eats green eggs and ham and loves it. Sam is ecstatic and the dog is happy.

Well moral of the story is driven straight home using silly pictures and simple rhymes. The repetition of language is very suitable for young readers. For the rest of us – be it the kiddies who cannot read or the adult who is reading the book for a kid – it just puts a silly smile on your face!

There is some interesting information in Wikipedia about this book. Do check it out.