In the 1966 animation of Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch is ruminating aloud about his dislike of all things Who to his dog Max:
…and they’ll play noisy games like Zoo-Zither kar-Zay…
…a rollerskate type…
…of lacrosse and croquet…
The Grinch’s imaginings include all the noise Noise NOISE NOISE! that he so detests, and this game — Zoo-Zither kar-Zay — seems to somehow encompass the spirit of the cocophony.
Just as Dr. Seuss’s books encompassed, for myself as well as for several generations of readers before and after mine, the spirit of reading. Words that weren’t words, sounds that were simply sensations, rhymes with a rhythm of FUN — these are the things Theodor Seuss Geisel brought to life in his books.
The first word I read aloud may have been the brand name of a grocery chain, but the first books I read — aloud and with joy — were Dr. Seuss books. It was from them that I learned that things don’t have to be real to be understood, that words can be figured out even if they represent a thing you’ve never before seen, that imagination matters, and that reading – above all else – could be, and should be fun.
And since this month-long topical excursion of mine into writing about reading has likewise been fun (for me!), this seems a fitting place to end.
Thank you for joining me this month as I’ve meandered down this little alphabetical lit path.
And if you’re venturing into literature adventures of your own, I wish you all the magical joy of as-yet-unexplored words. 🙂
~ FIN ~
Illustrations in this post taken as screenshots from the video, How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Ironically, for such a fun post, you’ve truly got me rethinking something. I really disliked Dr. Seuss’s books. I was such a solemn, fearful child, and silliness felt dangerous and to be avoided. It’s always interesting when you suddenly see the reason behind a bias.
In any case, congratulations on a challenge well played. You’ve added a number of new-to-me books and authors to add to my TBR list, and that’s always a delight.
It is eye-opening sometimes to see the reasons behind our reactions. I can understand why silliness might feel like a dangerous thing to indulge in.
Thank you for following along with me this month. If you decide to read any of the authors or titles you’ve added to your TBR list, I’d be delighted to discuss them with you — stop by any time! 🙂
Well, I did not see that coming! lol
Congratulations on finishing the challenge!
Alphabet of Alphabets: Young Youth Year
Thanks! I think reading was my first — and remains my longest — love. So it’s been fun to write about this month. 🙂
It seems like a fitting place to end. Dr Suess’s writing always delighted my kids. That perfect combination of silly and poetical that just sounded so good to their ears
molly
He was great at playing with sounds. I love the feel of certain words in my mouth and delight in fun phonetics; both traits are down to having read Dr. Seuss as a kid, I think. 🙂
Well said! “I love the feel of certain words in my mouth.” And sometimes the novelty, the last few were especially hard, like Xanadu or Zingy. I’m insanely proud of myself for making it to the end and producing original content every single night, like a clock.
Thank you for the inspiration, Mrs Fever, and for introducing me to the A to Z challenge!
Sore is more recently posted…Z is for Zingy
Congratulations on finishing the challenge!