The 25 Most Popular Books by Dr. Seuss

Like many Dr. Seuss books, “Oh, the Place You’ll Go!” has a deeper meaning for children and adults. The book encourages the reader to take chances and try new things. The lines – “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own and you know what you know, and YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go” – sums up the theme of the book.

The importance of trying new things is the theme of “Green Eggs and Ham.” Sam-I-am offers an unnamed man a plate of green eggs and ham. The man refuses saying he does not like green eggs and ham. Finally, the man tries the green eggs and ham and declares: “I do so like green eggs and ham. Thank you. Thank you, Sam-I-Am.”

A fable about protecting the environment, “The Lorax” tells the story of the forest of the Truffula trees felled by Once-Ler to build a business. When a creature named the Lorax protests, Once-Ler ignores him and continues to destroy the land. After all the trees are gone, Once-Ler realizes the damage he caused and repents, remembering what the Lorax told him, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Once-Ler gives a boy some seeds to regrow the forest with the hope the Lorax and other animals will return.

Made into three movies and a still beloved television cartoon, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” shows how the spirit of Christmas warmed the heart of the Grinch, who was born with a heart two sizes too small. On Christmas Eve, the Grinch steals all of Whoville’s presents, hoping to stop the celebration. But when the residents of Whoville still sing with joy on Christmas, the Grinch is changed forever, realizing Christmas is more than gifts.

Considered a classic of children’s literature, this book opens with an unnamed boy and his sister Sally sitting at home on a rainy day. Soon, a Cat in a red-and-white-striped top hat and red bow tie arrives and chaos ensues, with pictures flying off the wall and objects dropped on the floor. But all ends well when the Cat cleans everything up before the children’s mother comes home. The book was made into a 1971 animated TV series and a live action movie in 2003.