Customer Reviews

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (Classic Seuss)

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The Bartholomew Cubbins books are examples of Dr. Suess's early children's stories ("The 500 Hats..." having been published in 1938), and thus they lack the sing-song poetry and and bright colors of his later works. They are my favorite Suess books, however, as they speak to any child who is frustrated and put upon by adults who talk down to them. The theme of The 500 Hats... is as relevant, if not more so, than it was when the book was originally published.

The magically re-appearing hats is frustrating to bartholomew, but to the adults around him it is a terrifying and disturbing thing, not because it is dangerous but because it threatens their sense of what should be. The interventions they try range from the simple (calling in "experts" like a tailor, wise men and magicians) to the desperate and frightening (ordering Bartholomew's head and the offending hats cut off). Throughout it all, bartholomew's desires and needs are forgotten, and he is looked upon merely as an extension of this "problem." Also involved is the king's nephew, a "normal" child who spearheads the movement to do away with Bartholomew, not out of fear or concern but out of simple spite. In the end, however, the magic and wonder of the event is recognized and celebrated rather than condemed.

I would particualrly recommend this book to parents of children with learning disorders. The themes descibed above would be particularly familiar, and the conclusion especially satisfying. The grim sections of the book (such as when the king orders bartholomew's execution) should not scare anyone off from what is a wonderful and inspiring story.

This volume differs from most of the Dr. Seuss books we are familiar with in that the text is unrhymed, and the book takes a good 20 minutes to read aloud. This is no liability; the story's interest develops immediately, and never lags. There is an impressively idiosyncratic cast of characters to enjoy and dramatize, and Seuss's use of language is a joy. Bartholomew himself is a gutsy, honest kid without a trace of arrogance or swagger. In addition, the drawings are more detailed than in later books, and really exhibit Seuss' s skill as a graphic artist, along the lines of Robert McCloskey's Make Way for Ducklings. I loved this book as a child, and my children adore it now. As enduring children's literature, I would place it above Cat in the Hat and Horton Hears a Who any day!

Bartholomew Cubbins, lowest of the subject of King Derwin has gone into town to sell some cranberries for his parents. When the king passes by, he doffs his hat, only have the king stop and accuse him of not taking his hat off. Surprised to find it is true, he takes his hat off, only to find a third hat on his head. The king has him arrested and begins trying to figure out ways to keep the hat off. His wise men and magicians are certainly no help. Meanwhile, Bartholomew must figure out a way to get his hat to stay off his head before the consequences become drastic.

This is an early Dr. Seuss book, and a lesser known of his works. Still, it tells a fun story about a boy in trouble for something he didn't do. Everyone can relate to that. Even when the king becomes obsessed with the hat, Bartholomew never looses his respect for the king.

This doesn't have the charm, creativity, or poetry of some of his other works, but is still fun for kids because of the absurd length they reach to try to get rid of that hat.

Theodor Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss)
Wrote rhythms and rhymes guaranteed to amuse.
Bartholomew Cubbins is a tale you may know
Of a lad who has 500 feathered chapeaux.
Each time he removes one, another's revealed
(As far as the end goes, my lips must be sealed.)
I marveled at Cubbins when I was a lad.
Now my daughter is thrilled when it's read by her dad.
Unless by fine writing you're gravely offended
This Dr. Seuss classic is much recommended.

I love this book. But not just because it is a great children's story, which is deservedly is. This book is great, because it illustrates what I beleive to be the principle of creative repetition.

The 500 hats, start simply -- each hat is as simple as the one before it. Yet, the magic of each new hat, propels the story forward through all the attempts of people to stop the flow of hats. All sorts of nay-sayers, dis-believers, and the supposedly wise are challenged by what they see.

Eventually, this creative process creates such conflict that takes the situations to new heights, which somehow inspire spontantous improvement and variety. What used to be simple, becomes increasingly ornate and valuable, culminating in a creation that transcends the entire situation.

So rather than a simple story, I take this as a metaphor to inspire the creative process. Rather than attempt to create the great works, just do the simple acts repeatly and notice the small variety accumulate into something great. (However, it would be silly, to take this as a metaphor for compound interest. ;)

My art teacher described it this way. "Even with the simplest of subject matter, if you create many versions, over and over, it gives your work stength, a backbone, if you will, that will allow you to see the great art among your own work."

So, even though this is a childrens book, it is worth buying, because it represents a value that can be meaningful to adults.

And it's a fine tale as well.

As a adult in my 40's, it is not easy to recall many specific details from my early childhood. But I have never forgotten the specialness of my favorite book - The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss.
The delight I felt in reading it - or better yet, having my Grandmother read it to me, is a memory I cherish. The whimsical and ever more fanciful hats that Bartholomew found upon his head captivated me.
This book is a treasure and to this day, when asked for a recommendation of my favorite books, I secretly think of this childhood tale.

This is a truly AMAZING book. The first time I brought it home from the Grade School Library I was enchanted! Bartholomew Cubbins is challenged with the difficulties brought on by his hat. He is almost beheaded for not taking his hat off before the King. He get's out of that though because of his hat. He is chanted upon by wise men and cats. The nephew of the King does not like Bartholomew because he is getting more attention than he. Bartholomew continues to remove hat after hat the entire time. In the end they become grander and grander. The thing that almost got Bartholomew killed it what saves him in the end.

I brought this book home over 500 times. Before I could read my mom read it to me, even when I could read I made her still read it to me. I treasure this Seuss book above all of my others. Bartholomew has an amazing time trying to take his hat off. This book has all the wonderful Seuss words and adventure that is to be expected.

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, written by Dr. Suess, at Random House

If you like fantasy choldren's books with lots of pictures then this is the book for you. A boy is going to the market to sell cranberries and the king rolls by on his carriage, everyone takes of their hat but whenever Bartholomew takes off his hat another one appears. The king's nephew wahnts him to be executed because he is getting all the attention and even he can't take off Bartholomew's hat. After each hat pops off a new one comes on Bartholomew's head. The kind tries many ways to get the hat off, including shooting them iff with arrows and other ways to. Get ready Bartholomew this will be one funky ride.

Bartholomew is the main character, the poor farm boy that just can't take off his hat. There is also the king's nephew, the Duke of Wiinfred, is a snob and tries to kill Bartholomew after he can't take off Bartholomew's hat. There is also the king who is rather clueless throughout this whole book.

I would definately recommend this book to kids because it isn't hard to read and is very easy to understand. It is also very funny with many wierd and hillarious twists in it. Dr. Suess is a very good writer and i would recommend any of his books. He does a very good job of giving each character their own voice. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins is a Dr.Suess is a classic and everyone should read it.

Bartholemew tried over and over to obey the orders of the King.The more hats he took off,the more splendid each hat became.King Derwin was gratified that he could have all the hats after the 500th was removed...and Bartholemew ended up feeling more important and less small to the Kingdom of Didd.

I learned to read on the wonderful work of a wonderful man, and The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins does credit to the list of titles behind the hallowed name of Dr. Suess. All children should receive a copy of this book upon birth. What higher recommendation can I give? Here's one :"READ THE BOOK!! You'll like it!!" Dr. Suess' books are gems and ought to be recognized as such. The generations coming truly deserve it!!