Hop on Pop

First published in 1963, Hop on Pop remains a perennial favourite when it comes to teaching kids to read. Here, as in most of his extensive body of work, Dr. Seuss creates uncomplicated, monosyllabic rhymes to foster learning and inspire children to read. But what was radical about this little book at the time of publication (and what makes it still compelling today) is Seuss's departure from the traditionally dull pictures and sentences used in reading primers. In contrast, the illustrations here are wild and wonderful, and the accompanying language, while simple, is delightfully silly. For example, the rhyme "THREE TREE / Three fish in a tree / Fish in a tree? / How can that be?" is brought to life with a trio of plump, self-satisfied fish perched atop globular branches as two stymied hybrid dog-rabbit-humanoids look on in consternation. Hop on Pop does much more than teach children the basics of word construction, it also introduces them to the incomparable pleasure of reading a book. (Under Fives)

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Rhyming, Syntax, Humor, Reading and Improved Abs for Dad - Rated
This book was a favorite of our four children, especially in helping them realize that they might like to hop on Pop (which they did as much as Pop would let them). This book has really stayed with me, and I was interested to analyze why it is so appealing and effective.

What I discovered upon rereading it today is that the book packs a whallop in terms of providing learning opportunities for children. Long before Sesame Street was a staple for youngsters, this book picked up on some of the same learning techniques.

For example, you start with two rhyming words. The only difference may be one consonant (hop and Pop). This helps a child learn to read by seeing the role that a letter plays. Then the book uses the two words together to form a sentence, and puts an illustration in the reinforce the syntax (the difference between a house on a mouse, and a mouse on a house). After the simple syntax lessons are done, it goes on to give the child more rhymes and more complex sentences. "We like to hop on top of Pop." Here are where Dad's abs come in. The illustration shows how to hop on Pop without hurting him. Also, the book says not to, which will help Pop and the child learn that the subconscious in all people and all children pay no attention to negatives in sentences. So what is captured is an imperative to hop on Pop.

The story builds to a crescendo by letting the child know that there is more to learn. Children can learn small words like "if and it" while Father knows long words like "Constantinople and Timbuktu." The child is given a little quiz at the end about "seehemewe" and so forth and is given the hint that learning can continue tomorrow.

Also, this book provided me more pleasure in being a Father than any other that I read to and with my children. So if you are a Father, get with it. If you want to encourage a Father to be with his children more, get this book to him.

Overcome your stalled thinking about the limits of what can be learned by small children from an introductory reader by using this masterpiece!

. . . and practice tightening your abs!

Dr. Seuss does it again - Rated
This book is aimed at the youngest reader, but will give enjoyment for years. Especially suitable for children learning to read, the limited vocabularly and short words can be picked up and remembered quickly and easily. Like many of Seuss' books, this one will have children finishing the lines for you and repeating them verbatim from (in my experience) about two years old.

There is, of course, no real plot to speak of - just a sequence of improbable and highly amusing pictures and short descriptions. Most of the book flows beautifully when read aloud, rhyming of course, but my only criticism would be of the last few pages where scenes speed up and lead to a somewhat weak ending.

That notwithstanding, this is a great book, full of fun for the adult and child reader.

Great book for dads to read with their kids - Rated
My daughter picked up this book in our local library, having recognised the style from classics like "Cat on the Mat" and "Green Eggs and Ham" but the difference was that this was one that she could learn to read for herself! With such a snappy, memorable title, she just kept nagging at her "Pop" to get her own copy... and of course, how could I refuse her?