If you’re not sure which Dr. Seuss books to choose for Read Across America Day (March 2), our list of Dr. Seuss Books Worth Buying can definitely help.
If you got excited because this is about books, check out all of our other books posts.
I love Dr. Seuss. I actually did a report on him (real name: Theodor Seuss Geisel) when I was in college.
Did you know that his dad actually was pushing him to be an actual doctor? Theodor didn’t want that path, but he didn’t want to disappoint his dad, so when he became an author, he created the pen name Dr. Seuss.
Another fun fact: Seuss was his mother’s maiden name.
Under the name Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel wrote and illustrated 60 books and, honestly, if you’re trying to add a couple Dr. Seuss books to your home library, well, 60 is too many.
So, to help narrow it down, we put together this list of Dr. Seuss books worth buying. They’ll be perfect for Read Across America Day (which is celebrated annually on March 2, Theodor Seuss Geisel’s birthday) — or just bedtime on a random Tuesday.
If you really want to celebrate, check out our Dr. Seuss Party Ideas to make the day something special.
Books To Read To Celebrate Dr. Seuss Day
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One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
- It’s a fun, educational book, filled with rhyming and fun wordplay.
- Young kids who are learning colors and numbers love this.
- Since there’s no story to follow, it’s perfect for the littlest of readers.
My take: If you’re shopping for kids who love the cadence of stories more than the plot, this book is the best choice.
Green Eggs and Ham
- Green Eggs and Ham is the perfect way to encourage your kids to try new things.
- The repeating words and funny story are great for new readers.
- Everyone remembers “I do not like them, Sam I Am” from their childhood.
My take: This is one of the most classic Dr. Seuss books. Plus, if your kids read this one a lot, you have the perfect breakfast for Dr. Seuss Day or April Fool’s (green eggs, maybe not the ham).
Fox In Socks
- This is a silly book filled with tongue twisters (and no real plot).
- Kids will love trying to say all the silly words (this book needs to be read aloud).
- It’s better for older kids who will laugh at trying to read this, rather than younger kids who won’t get the humor in it.
My take: Fox In Socks will have older kids laughing with whoever is reading the story and getting excited over it (so it’s maybe not best for bedtime). Younger kids will get frustrated at the reader for tripping over his or her words.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go
- It’s about the journey of life and the ups and downs that go along with it.
- It’s one of the more serious books by Dr. Seuss.
- Oh, The Places You’ll Go is one of the most popular graduation gifts.
My take: For years, Oh, The Places You’ll Go has been a great high school graduation gift, sending students off into the world with a little encouragement and a little whimsy.
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now
- A really silly story about a boy who just won’t leave.
- Kids will love how the pointing finger grows as the book goes on.
- It’s good for little kids who will love the repetition and laugh at the increasing absurdity.
My take: The Irish goodbye is so popular with adults but kids sometimes want to wear out their welcome. So, this might be a good one to keep in your pocket when they don’t want to go home.
The Cat in the Hat
- It’s a fun story about a mysterious cat turning a boring day into one to remember.
- This is one of the most whimsical of the books
- This book is the first one everyone thinks of when they think of Dr. Seuss.
My take: I always buy this one to kick off someone’s Dr. Seuss collection because it’s the most well known and classic.
The Cat In The Hat Comes Back
- The sequel to The Cat In The Hat is filled with new hijinks and antics.
- It’s really funny, especially to kids who have read the first book.
- If you have a pair of kids to gift, give The Cat In The Hat to one and The Cat In The Hat Comes Back to the other.
My take: I love to gift this to siblings when I’m trying to gift similar but different gifts.
Hop On Pop
- Filled with easy rhymes, this book helps teach phonics.
- It’s really quick and filled with repetition.
- Hop On Pop is perfect for really young kids.
My take: If you’re gifting someone who is learning to read, rather than someone who is having books read to them, this is a really good one.
The Lorax
- The Lorax is about the environment and conservation.
- It’s a more serious book than most of the others in Dr. Seuss’ collection.
- It’s better for older kids who can follow a plot.
My take: Honestly, The Lorax is a classic but it’s not one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, so I don’t usually choose this one to gift.
Horton Hears A Who!
- Horton, the elephant, discovers Whoville (which is the same Whoville that’s also in The Grinch).
- This is a more story-driven book than some of the others.
- It’s best for kids who are a little bit older and can follow a plot.
My take: If your kids like the movie Horton Hears A Who, you definitely want to introduce them to the book version as well.
Dr. Seuss’s 123
- It’s a counting book, filled with illustrations from the Dr. Seuss universe.
- Kids can learn to count up to 20.
- It’s best for young kids who are learning their numbers.
My take: This is one of the more educational books for little kids.
Dr. Seuss’s Book Of Colors
- The book, filled with illustrations from the Dr. Seuss universe, help kids learn their colors.
- It’s filled with rhyming, which helps kids learn.
- It’s best for young kids who are learning their colors.
My take: This is another educational book for little kids and would make a great gift with the 123 book.
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book
- The alphabet book is filled with illustrations from the Dr. Seuss universe.
- It helps kids learn their letters by introducing them to whimsical characters.
- It’s best for young kids who are learning their letters and sounds.
My take: Pair this book with the colors and numbers books for the perfect gift.
The Foot Book: Dr. Seuss’s Wacky Book of Opposites
- The book is filled with opposites, really helping kids learn the concept.
- It’s filled with rhymes and easy opposites (like “wet foot / dry foot”).
- It’s perfect for preschoolers.
My take: If you’re shopping for a precocious kid who is about to enter preschool, this one is perfect.
The Sneetches And Other Stories
- There are four stories in the book: The Sneetches, The Zax, Too Many Daves, and What Was I Scared Of?
- The stories focus on overcoming our differences.
- It’s best for kids who are older and can understand prejudices and acceptance.
My take: Honestly, I never even knew this collection existed until I was putting this list together. It sounds great, but it’s not one of the most popular of Dr. Seuss’ books.
What Pet Should I Get?
- It’s about being indecisive and helping kids make up their minds.
- It’s filled with characters from Dr. Seuss’ world.
- Fun fact: The book was discovered and published posthumously.
My take: If your kid is whishy-washy, this is the perfect book to help them learn how to make a decision.
Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book
- A tiny yawn is contagious and puts everyone to sleep.
- It’s really funny and relies on humor.
- If your kid is tough to get to sleep, a book about contagious yawns might help him catch one.
My take: I remember this book, and catching the yawn, when I was young and think about it anytime someone yawns close to me.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
- The Grinch steals Christmas and its material possessions, but can’t steal the town’s joy.
- It’s such a good story about how people are more important than possessions.
- Kids who are just starting to learn the meaning of Christmas would love this book.
My take: If your kid doesn’t have How The Grinch Stole Christmas! yet, it’s the best stocking stuffer.
Dr Seuss’s If You Think There’s Nothing To Do
- The book is filled with lots of funny ways to kill time and boredom.
- It’s completely impractical (like balancing cats on your head).
- The book is best for kids who won’t actually try out these boredom busters.
My take: If your kids are always complaining they’re bored, this book will give them really silly ideas that may help them imagine actual things to do.
Yertle the Turtle And Other Stories
- The book is filled with three stories: Yertle the Turtle, Gertrude McFuzz, and The Big Brag,
- The stories are pretty serious, focusing on concepts like greed and pride.
- It’s best for older kids who can follow the plots and understand the meaning.
My take: Most of the Dr. Seuss books out there are silly and fun. This … is not.
The Tooth Book
- It’s an educational book about teeth.
- It’s filled with both facts and rhymes.
- If your kid is going for his first dentist appointment, this is a good way to introduce him to why he has to go.
My take: This would actually be a fun gift to give from the Tooth Fairy after your kids loses his first tooth.
Dr Seuss’s Book Of Animals
- It’s an animal book, filled with illustrations from the Dr. Seuss universe.
- Both real and fictional animals find their way onto the pages.
- It’s a good book for kids who are interested in animals.
My take: You don’t have to read this start to finish to grasp it, so it’s great for little kids who just want to flip around the book.
If I Ran The Circus
- It’s about imagining a circus, right in the middle of a boring parking lot.
- It’s so silly, fun, and creative.
- Kids who love make believe and pretend will love this.
My take: I always love saying, “If I was in charge, I would … ” so honestly, I think this book was written with me in mind.
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
- The book is filled with animal sounds and onomatopoeic text.
- It’s really interactive and encourages kids to make noise.
- It’s perfect for young kids learning animal sounds or just ones who need to get out some wiggles.
My take: This is one of the more interactive books, so it’s definitely up high on my shopping list.
Ten Apples Up On Top!
- This is a silly book about three friends adding more and more apples on their heads.
- This is a fun way to learn counting.
- It’s great for little kids since it teaches them to count to ten.
My take: If you’re shopping for a really young kid who is learning to count, this is a great choice.
Purchase Dr. Seuss Books Online:
These aren’t all of the Dr. Seuss books out there. There are more, including Happy Birthday To You, a perfect birthday gift.
To purchase those books, check out the stores below:
Don’t forget to check a store’s minimum cart total to qualify for free shipping. Also consider instore or curbside pickup to avoid shipping charges.
How to Save Money on Dr. Seuss Books:
If you want to pick up a bunch of Dr. Seuss books at once, that can honestly get a little bit expensive. So, we have a couple tips to help you save just a little bit.
Check seasonal displays
I found a huge display in Walmart, right in time for Read Across America Day. When the March holiday is over, Walmart needs to clear out this display to make room for other seasonal items. So, Dr. Seuss books get clearanced.
Look for box sets
If you’re buying a few books, look for boxed sets, like the The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library Boxed Set, which comes with 10 books, or the Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book Collection Boxed Set, which comes with five classics.
Buying that way is cheaper than buying the books individually.
Compare Hardcover vs. Mini Versions
Most Dr. Seuss books are hardcovers, which are always a little bit cheaper than paperback — but I’ve never seen any paperback Dr. Seuss books. What I have seen, though, are mini versions. Those are perfect for little hands and may save you money too.
Check Thrift Stores Or Library Sales
Anytime I’m looking for a book for a craft, I check the thrift store. And the shelves are filled with Dr. Seuss books. If you’re buying as a gift, I wouldn’t suggest this. But if you’re buying for your own kids’ home collection, thrift stores (or a library’s annual sale) will have the books for a fraction of the retail price.
Which of these 25 Dr. Seuss books was your favorite growing up? Be sure to let us know in the comments.