Module 2 - Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Bibliographic Information

Seuss, T. (1960). Green eggs and ham. New York: Random House.

Summary

Sam-I-am spends the entire story trying to get the un-named character to try green eggs and ham.  Sam-I-am offers the green eggs and ham to him in many situations, but always receives the same response of “I do not like green eggs and ham”.  In the end, to get Sam-I-am to leave him alone, the character tries the green eggs and ham and decides that he does like them after all.

Impressions

This is a cute book for young children.  The pictures compliment the words on the page so that beginning readers will be able to decode print from the pictures.  The story is full of rhyming words and follows the rhyme, rhythm, and repetition needed for young readers to be successful.

Reviews

Do you like green eggs and ham?  This is the question "Sam I Am" asks, over and over again, as he strives to convince his friend to try the funny looking, but tasty, dish of green eggs and ham. "Green Eggs and Ham" is a popular favorite of many children, and also many adults.  The words rhyme, and the language flows in its own rhythm.  There are repetitive passages that help beginning readers figure out the words that are new to them.  Preschoolers enjoy the repetition too, because of the way it sounds, and also because it allows them to "read along" with the adult who is sharing the story and reading out loud.  There are crazy, cartoon like illustrations, (in the style Dr. Seuss is famous for), on every page, and they go along perfectly with the action that is taking place.  Things get more and more outlandish as Sam I am tries to find some way that his friend might like to eat green eggs and ham.  "Do you like them in a box? Do you like them with a fox?" It's a fun read!

Thorp, Jen. (n.d.). Book Reviews: Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss. Helium. Retrieved from http://www.helium.com/items/475410-book-reviews-green-eggs-and-ham-by-dr-seuss

Would you like them anywhere? -- Well, try them before you finally refuse... Only Dr. Seuss could break down the resistance, and he does it with a contagious use of repeat words and phrases- and winds up with complete capitulation. Here's a tale with a moral- but done so engagingly and absurdly that the reluctant beginning reader may find himself hoist by his own petard. Try for yourself. Here's a book an adult will use -- that will be taken over by the young fry until the oldsters cry for mercy. Line and wash- three colors flat.

(n.d.). Green Eggs and Ham.  Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/childrens-books/dr-seuss-16/green-eggs-and-ham/

Library Use

Librarians could use this book to introduce rhyme and rhythm.  It is great read for building fluency.  Before you know it, the children are saying the words along with you as you read because it’s just so catchy and fun.