Customer Reviews

I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and Other Stories (Classic Seuss)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book (or books, since there are 3 complete stories within the covers) is a fantastic journey into the extended family of the Cat in the Hat. His great great great grandfather learns a lesson about hubris. His son learns the dangers of overconfident bragging. His daughter learns the value of teamwork, and why families need to stand up for one another. The language is delightfully silly for children, yet parents will recognize friends, family and foes in Seuss' wise and deadly accurate characterizations. I got this book c.1970 and it was my favorite, now my 3-year old daughter has me read it every day. NOTE: As a four year old, I found the Glunk a little scary. My daughter doesn't seem to have that apprehension! A pleasure to read that children will love!

"I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today!" is a fun Dr. Seuss book which contains three stories and 1365 words. The book's Accelerated Reading designation is given as 2.9 which means the text is suitable for children reading at an advanced Second Grade level. [2.9 translates as a book that an "average" child should be able to read when in the 9th month of 2nd Grade. It can be enjoyed by people of any age, of course.]

At our house the stories were met with almost universal praise from both the 6 and 8 year old. And what's nice about Seuss books, besides the rampant craziness, is the fact that children often forget how many words they are reading as they work away at finding out what happens.

Summary ::: A fun Seuss reader which contains three stories. The AR designation is 2.9 but the word-magic of story and rhyme makes this book appropriate for non-reading children as well.

Pam T~

I loved reading this book to my little sister and I could do it again evn though I'm in college now. It is not one of the most well known Dr. Seuss books but it's great. The stars of most of the stories are two cute little cats who are apparently the Cat in the Hat's children. The best story is the crafty glunk who got thunk which is a great read and a great lesson about letting your imagination run away with you and working together. How else could the brother and sister kick out that nasty Glunk than by using their unthinkers TOGETHER!!

The best part of this book is "The Glunk that Got Thunk." Back in July 1969 this story was printed in Woman's Day Magazine prior to the book's publication. My mother (even though this was 3 years before I was born!) cut out the pages and but them into plastic protectors in a folder to keep. I still have that "book" from almost 30 years ago, and I have been thrilled to hear my son laugh out loud as I read it to him! I can't wait till my daughter is old enough to enjoy it too!

"I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and Other Stories" presents a trio of stories told in verse and illustrated by Dr. Seuss in 1969. Each story makes a simple point. The title story is about a young fellow who looks like a smaller version of the Cat in the Hat (there is reason to believe he is part of the next generation) who declares that he can lick thirty tigers today. However, as soon as he see the thirty tigers he starts finding reasons to whittle down that number, which should indicate to young readers the problems of biting off more than you can chew (pick whatever phrase that expresses this idea you like even if it is your eyes are bigger than your stomach).

"King Looie Katz" is about the fancy cat named Looie who was the King of Katzen-stein and who was so proud of his royal tail that not only did he wash it every morning in a ten-gallon golden pail. In fact, King Looie is so proud that he decides that his tail should never be allowed to touch the earth and he made Fooie Katz follow him around and keep from dragging on the ground. When Fooie notices his tail is sagging he makes Kooie Katz lift up his tail. Soon all the cats in Katzen-stein are walking round and round keeping each other's tails from dragging on the ground. All the cats, that is, except one in this simple story about being more "demo-catic."

Finally there is "The Glunk that Got Thunk," which has the distinction of being the wordiest Dr. Seuss story I have ever read. The sister of the small cat we met in the first story likes to go upstairs after supper and use her Thinker-Upper. Usually she thinks up friendly little things with smiles and fuzzy fur. But one night she decides to go for go for something more fun and discovers she has thunked a Glunk. There are two problems with this. First, a Glunk cannot be UN-thunk. Second, this Glunk calls his mother each night, which is an expensive long distance phone call (ten dollars a minute), and this particular Glunk will never stop talking (which explains why this story gets so wordy; beginning readers will be amazed). There are actually several lessons that can be drawn from this one.

None of these are what I would call first level Dr. Seuss books but there are three of them, which just about adds up to a solid collection. You readers might find it strange to find three short stories collected in one, but there are other such collections out there. These stories are a bit more inclined towards making points beyond the good doctor's normal delightful infatuation with the realm of imagination.

This book is one that has followed me through my entire life in the memories shared between me and my father. He read me these stories when a was a child and the memories still make me smile as I've just graduated from college. I recommend this book to all parents and children, and make sure you read it together.

These three stories are a wonderful trip for children into an imaginative world, where they learn important lessons, in the most fun way possible.
In the first, `I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today' the character learns that his bravado does not live up to the reality, in `The Glunk that Got Thunk' children learn how insurmountable problems can be solved by working together and keeping a level head, and in `King Loii Katz' children learn a very important lesson:
That sometimes one has to follow ones own conscience and put a stop to the bandwagon. It only takes one to say `ENOUGH'.
Beautifully illustrated, and with a wonderful sense of humour and imagination.

The 3 stories in this book have been read many many times in our house and I enjoy reading them as much as my 4 year old (just) enjoys listening. The lovely lilting rhythm of the words is relaxing ang the daft rhymes and made up words amuse both of us. While reading 'The Glunk that got thunk' some months ago I paused and my son just carried on with the rest of the verse, which was a lovely surprise. He has now declared that this story is scary and can only be told in daylight!

I want my children to appreciate the pleasure of using and playing with words for fun and Dr Seuss is the perfect vehicle for this message. This book in particular is good for little ones because there are 3 short stories, rather than one long tongue twister like 'Fox in socks'.

I recieved my book today and i am very pleased with my book. I am a collector of Dr. Suess books thank you
Jennifer

three stories in one book. the first is about being realistic about your abilities. the second is about self-sufficiency. and the third is about the dangers of starting something you cant finish. all in all a great book.