The Butter Battle Book. New York Times Notable Book of the Year Classic Seuss

Customer Reviews

The first world (U.S./capitalism) The second world (USSR/communism)

2007-02-07
This is the truth of the situation. Adults should have to read this, starting with W.

Overlong and forced, feels like an imposter.

2006-12-21
This didn't feel like an authentic Seuss, just as another reviewer has pointed out... The narrative is stiff, the rhymes lacking fluidity and humor, and the story is just plain dull. Although I have no problem at all with presenting anti-war and anti-arms-proliferation sentiment in a format suitable for a child, I don't think that this book does it well. The overall impression I get is that of a message being sent in the style of Seuss, with rehashed elements, rather than a genuinely entertaining Seuss book.

Another enjoyable sermon

2006-12-10
It's one of Seuss's later works, written in the 1980s. It presents, in kid-friendly idiom, the inane causes of war. Although presented as silliness, the conflict rapidly escalates through successively goofier armaments. The end shows the entire populace descending into underground shelters with the Big-Boy Boomeroo about to be launched by both sides at once.

The presentation is Seussish and silly, a real contrast to his hawkish WWII editorial cartoons. Still, it's grimly familiar to anyone who lived in the 1950s and 60s. Bomb shelters and the threat of mutually assured destruction were daily realities then, and their memory is still sharp. Maybe, if kids see insanity early enough, they'll learn to avoid it. At worst, they'll have yet another of Seuss's charming stories behind them.

//wiredweird

Been better books by Seuss....

2006-11-09
This is an interesting Seuss book. The moral that it is trying to portray is good, but the story is pretty lame and it doesn't seem to flow as nicely as most Seuss books.

Timeless

2006-11-04
I bought this for my grandchildren. I hope they will enjoy the Butter Battle Book as their father did. I believe that this book helped their father grow up with a tolerant and understanding heart. I am certain it will do the same for these young ones.

Wars are often fought over dumb things

2008-02-18
This is what my 8 year old son got out of reading The Butter Battle Book and that you should always accept peoples differences. It is one of his favorite books and it is timeless.

Not appropriate for young children

2007-09-27
This is not appropriate book for young children. It's a bit violent with too much political undercurrents. The rhythm and rhyme are off as well. Choose another Seuss book.

The Butter Battle Book

2007-09-22
Dr Seuss reaks of fun. I have never read a Dr Seuss book I didn't like!!

disappointd

2007-07-31
I bought this Seuss because it was rated as a number one with NewYork. I thought it was over the top Cold warish and it simplified the problem in a very trivial way. I would not recommend it to anyone and was quit disappionted in the strong political nature of this book. Thumbs down ):

Another great allegory from the undisputed champion of children's writing

2007-02-15
This book was written years after the Lorax, but it certainly has a lot in common with Suess' most controversial and perhaps powerful book. The book is essentially an allegory of the cold war. With two different ideologies battling it out in secret rooms with weapons that are never used.

Like the Lorax, this book is great for children and adults alike, because it discusses such an important subject in such an accessible and colorful way. Adults will see the parallel between the book and the conflict of the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. and children will see an allegory for themes such as racism , and other thoughtless ignorances.

This is a powerful book, and in my belief an essential part of anyone's libary. If you are the mother or father of a young child, my reccomendation goes much deeper. Use this book as a way to start a discussion on any conflict that doesn't make sense to the child. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially as a teaching aid.