Customer Reviews

On Beyond Zebra! (Classic Seuss)

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"On Beyond Zebra" was my favorite of Dr. Seuss's books when I was a child, and as an adult I appreciate the insight and humor of this classic even more. The concept of the book is simple: the narrator introduces young Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell to the weird and wonderful letters that come after "z" (yes, AFTER "z"), and provides the wide-eyed child with a marvelous bestiary of the Seussian creatures whose names begin with these letters.

Actually, Seuss's post-"z" letters appear to constitute a syllabary rather than a true extended alphabet, but why quibble over technical details? The letters/syllabics and their accompanying creatures represent Seuss at his most delightful. And best of all, he leaves the door open for readers to create their own extension to the alphabet/syllabary!

More than mere whimsy, "On Beyond Zebra" is a truly mind-expanding book. Through fantasy and humor, Seuss challenges us to open our minds to new possibilities; he encourages us to tear down artificial walls that restrict our intellectual and creative growth. This book would be as useful in teaching pedagogical theory to college students as it is for entertaining children. "On Beyond Zebra" is a triumph.

If I were to start my own religion, this would probably be the most sacred text. Dr. Seuss possessed powers of pure imagination unequaled in all of children's literature, and this book is the most inspiring, mind-expanding example of his divine gift. Even more important than Cat in the Hat or The Lorax, every baby born into this world should be given a copy of On Beyond Zebra. Buy it and give it to a child you love today!

The book deals with going beyond the conventional alphabet. Besides being very entertaining (for children and adults alike), this book promotes exploration to the limits of imagination. Ultimately, the story will lead the young reader to a more open mind for new ideas, and an appreciation for different perspectives. It stimulates both the imagination and the heart. The book instills children with the desire and the attitude that will lead them to reach beyond the limitations of standard written expression, and an acceptance of alternative symbolism -- so important in modern technical education. My wife and I both love to read it to our child, who in turn loves to hear how one young lad learned to go beyond Z to discover amazing new worlds.

This book introduced "paradigm shifting" into my intellectual vocabulary before I even knew what such a thing was.

Many, many, many years ago (Nixon was President, I think) I read this and was changed. I can remember the the images, the textures, the smells (Ah! The ditto machine and its purple perfume!) and all my surroundings. I was sitting in the elementary school library, facing northwest toward the door. Lured by the title and the premise, I had taken the volume to my assigned seat ("Library" was a class back then, as it should have been) and quickly devoured it.

The concept - that our 26-letter alphabet was an arbitrary collection and not a universal constant on a par with gravity - had never entered my cartoon-addled mind. It sparked an awareness of similar cultural and philosophical constrictions that I have expanded and retained to this day.

Hats off to the Dr.!

I remember this book as a kid. When I first tried reading it, "On Beyond Zebra" provided a serious challenge as a beginning reader. Only Dr. Seuss could have come up with the idea of this book and the characters and names which populate it. His "outside the box" imagination was a major influence in my creative development, and "On Beyond Zebra" is my personal favorite Dr. Seuss book. I haven't seen a copy of this book in years, but I'll never forget it!

This was my favorite book as a kid & still is. I now have ownership of our family's 'ancient' copy (copyright date 1955, Mom's written inscription: Christmas 1962 for my oldest brother who was age 6). I recently read it to my 6 year old son and he also was taken with this book. I am getting a new copy for him for Christmas as the original is pretty fragile now. This book belongs in every family's collection along with The Lorax, The Sneeches, Bartholomew Cubbins, Horton and the rest of the classic/original Seuss stories.

When I first discovered On Beyond Zebra, more than 40 years ago, it changed my way of thinking forever. Then I was still a child, but to this day I'm indebted to this remarkable book for opening my heart to the limitless possibilities life presents. My children and grandchildren love it. Every parent will enjoy reading it again and again.

Loved this book as a child. Fast-forward thirty-some years, I am a computational linguist with a fascination for exotic writing systems. Coincidence? I think not.

I read this book as a child about 45 years ago. I loved it and never forgot it, although its title transformed in my child's brain to "way beyond Z". It inspired me, fed my imagination and made me feel like a child with special sight. Unlike adults, I KNEW the alphabet beyond Z!! Now that I have located this title again, I will give it to every child I know! Thank you, Dr. Seuss!

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I'm so happy to be able to share it with my nieces. I think all Dr. Seuss' books encourage imagination and creativity, but none more than this.