Tag: The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library

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Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library: Nonfiction in Honor of Dr. Suess

Today, March 2, 2015, is what would have been Theodore Seuss Geisel’s 111st birthday. It is also National Education Association’s Read Across America celebration to promote literacy. To participate, in addition to pulling out Green Eggs and Ham, why not share some fantastic nonfiction with titles from the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library?

The Cat in the Hat might not be the first book/character that comes into mind when you think of nonfiction, but it should be.  The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library blends the fun cartoon characters and rhyming text of classic Seuss with well-researched, high quality nonfiction. It is a winning combination!

Although the series has been out for some time, try these new titles:

Out of Sight Till Tonight!: All About Nocturnal Animals (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Tish Rabe

The Cat in the Hat character takes Sally and Nick (with Thing 1 and Thing 2) on a learning adventure visit with nocturnal animals, such as bats, owls, raccoons, and kiwi birds. Explore why some animals’ eyes shine at night or how bats find their food in the dark.

Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3
Series: Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (March 24, 2015)
ISBN-10: 0375870768
ISBN-13: 978-0375870767

Once upon a Mastodon: All About Prehistoric Mammals (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) [Hardcover] by Bonnie Worth

Did you know that sloths have ancient relatives that were giants, as big as elephants? Learn all about the Ice Age mammals and early humans, too.

Can You See a Chimpanzee?: All About Primates (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu

In this title, the Cat in the Hat takes Sally and Nick to Africa and Asia where they discover all sorts of primates, from tiny tarsiers and tamarins to giant gorillas. Learn the difference between an ape and a monkey along the way.

The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library has a nonfiction title on virtually any topic you can imagine. Pick out one to share with young readers today!

Disclosure: I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

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Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.

 

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The Cat in the Hat Science: Why Oh Why Are Deserts Dry?

The Cat in the Hat might not be the first book/character that comes into mind when you think of science, but it should be. Take a look at Random House’s The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library®, and the PBS TV series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! and you will find a whole new way to introduce science to preschoolers and beginning readers.

Why Oh Why Are Deserts Dry?: All About Deserts by Tish Rabe and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu is a lively new addition to the series. As the title suggests, the Cat in the Hat character takes two children (with Thing 1 and Thing 2) on a learning adventure through deserts throughout the world told in the famous Seussian rhyming text (yes, I made that word up, but Seuss does that, too).

Because I live in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, I was curious to see how the book stacked up against traditional nonfiction science titles. I was pleasantly surprised. Tish Rabe has obviously done her research, and presents a number of interesting and relevant facts.

How does the rhyming work? Is it too light for serious science? Again, it works well. In fact, reading rhyme is a wonderful way for beginning readers to learn new vocabulary. If the readers come to an unfamiliar word, often it falls into place if they can relate it to another rhyming word. Thing 1 and Thing 2 hold up signs in the illustrations with pronunciations of unusual words, such as saguaro.

These books are definitely worth consideration. As the blurb on the back of the book says, “…The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library® shows young readers that books can be entertaining and educational at the same time.”

Related science activities:

  • Although the desert book isn’t included, there is a Activity Brochure on this page packed with ideas for earlier books
  • The PBS site has more in depth lesson plans (click on the linked titles), again for other books in the series
  • Saguaro cactus investigation

Reading level: Ages 5 and up
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 11, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0375858687
ISBN-13: 978-0375858680

Other books in the series:

Stem Friday is at A Life in Books today. Click through for links to more excellent STEM books.

If you would like to participate in STEM Friday in the future, go to the new STEM Friday blog for more information.