Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss

Horton Hatches the Egg Dr. Seuss 14.95  Children's book  1940 Rating: A

It's the rare children's picture book that can make me cry...every time.  This one does.  Dr. Seuss's funny language and rhyme are, as always enjoyable, and the story is, for such a short piece, well plotted and full of suspenseful moments.  I noted that for the first time today when I read it to Max who has a notoriously short attention span.  Just when things would seem to be about sitting around with eggs, a violent storm would break, hunters with guns would sneak up behind Horton, or animals would gather round to laugh at him.  

From my perspective, however, what makes this a masterpiece is faithful, steadfast Horton, who stays with his eggy charge through thick and thin, good and bad, and most of the experience is pretty unpleasant.  Yet her never waivers from his responsibility, though a reward seems the last thing to expect as the outcome.  But rewarded he is when the egg hatches and surprisingly resembles both Mayzie the bird and Horton.  This is the ultimate story for adoptive parents.  Recent research suggests that nature probably trumps nurture, but, as Seuss says, "It should be, it should be, it should be like that."  He's absolutely right, and no adoptive parent looks at their little bird without searching for a trunk.  When it all works out for Horton, I blink back tears every time.  

tags: childrens books  picture books