Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss

Category: Picture Book
Title: Horton Hatches the Egg
Author: Dr. Seuss
Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Random House : New York
Publication Date: 1968
Grade Level: K-3
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Theme: Promises are important to keep, and the act of honoring them is rewarded.
Number of Pages: Unpaged

Summary: Horton the Elephant promises a bird that he will keep her egg safe by sitting on it in a tree until she returns. When she doesn’t, he continues to honor his promise and remains there through rain and snow. When hunters find Horton and move him, the egg and the tree to put them on display, he remains faithful to his pledge. As part of a circus, Horton is spotted by the estranged mother bird, who demands the egg back. As Horton unhappily begins to give in, the egg cracks open and surprises everyone.

Evaluation: This classic Dr. Seuss story provides readers with his much-loved rhymes and familiar illustrative style. The story is appropriate for young children who are being read to, exposing them to the rhythm of the story. It also would be well-liked by children who are just learning to read on their own. The plot, if taken literally, is too serious for young readers – a mother who abandons her unborn child, hunters who take the elephant out of the wild to exploit it – yet in Dr. Seuss’ hands, the story is sweet. Its theme of integrity and honoring a promise would be understood by children and readers of all ages. The illustrations are done in charcoal pencil and supplemented with bold areas of color. The choice of having Horton sit on the end of the bending tree creates a dramatic composition.