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Am I alone in this weirdness?  

post #1 of 54
11/12/07 at 8:52pm
Thread Starter 
Is anyone else really creeped out by "The Cat in the Hat"? I hate hate hate that book. The whole premise makes me really uncomfortable. Mom goes out, creep shows up, does bad stuff while assuring you "mom won't mind". DD found our copy again and I'm hiding it somewhere else after she goes to bed. So does anyone else dislike "Cat in the Hat" too or am I just a Grinch?

Also, feel free to vent about other weird children's stories so I can be forewarned
post #2 of 54
11/12/07 at 8:54pm
Oh thank god! I thought I was the only one creeped out by that book!
post #3 of 54
11/12/07 at 8:57pm
And I hate the whole feeling that the kids don't even want him there but don't quite know how to get him to leave.

It *is* creepy, this sense that the Cat is supposedly creating a crazy fun day for the kids, but actually no one is having fun but him. It's really uncomfortable to read! (and why are the kids home alone?)
post #4 of 54
11/12/07 at 8:58pm
I hate that book. And Green Eggs and Ham. In fact, I dislike a lot of Dr. Seuss stories.
post #5 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Justthatgirl View Post
I hate that book. And Green Eggs and Ham. In fact, I dislike a lot of Dr. Seuss stories.
: not a Dr. Seuss fan!
post #6 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:20pm
im more creeped out by the movie (mike meyers and animated) than the book but it is super weird...!!
post #7 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:22pm
I love it!
post #8 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:23pm
It was always my understanding that the book happened in their imagination. Like they were so bored they just messed up the house, ya know, they were Thing One and Thing two (the kids) then cleaned that house up all fast before mom got home.

...but then I am weird too. I love that book (not the film!) and it is one of dd's favorites too.
post #9 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by captain crunchy View Post
It was always my understanding that the book happened in their imagination. Like they were so bored they just messed up the house, ya know, they were Thing One and Thing two (the kids) then cleaned that house up all fast before mom got home.

...but then I am weird too. I love that book (not the film!) and it is one of dd's favorites too.
That's how I read it too. They were pretending that they didn't really make the messes and they actually tried to stop "him" from making the mess in the first place.

As for being home alone, I always assumed the main characters were 11 and 12 or so- old enough to be home alone, not 6-7yo like the audience.
post #10 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:29pm
I never thought of it that way. Every time I read it, I get all nervous, like "Hurry and clean it up! Mom is going to be home soon and you will get caught!"
post #11 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:34pm
The only thing I don't like about that book is the last page. The one that questions if the children should tell the mother. Although now that I think of thing one and thing two being them it is a little less creepy. But who does that make the cat in the hat?

I really don't like the 2nd book for some reason.
post #12 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:39pm
Yes! I *knew* I couldn't be the only one. I really have a problem with that book, too! Just like a pp said, the kids in the book aren't even comfortable w/ the cat in the hat, but do they trust their gut? Nooooooo, they let this stranger in their home, do what he wants---against the rules, and then conceal it from their mom. How eff'd up is that?
post #13 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:44pm
My daughter actually has always been terrified of it and we had to get rid of it.
post #14 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:44pm
I never liked any of the Dr Seuss books, I've no idea why.
I think I was a weird kid. I didn't like cartoons either (like Wiley coyote) I figured if he could afford Acme products by mail, he could mail order baskets of food. This was my logic at about 5 or 6 yrears old. My assumption being animals catch others for food not fun. My mom and sister just rolled their eyes at me.
post #15 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blooming View Post
The only thing I don't like about that book is the last page. The one that questions if the children should tell the mother. Although now that I think of thing one and thing two being them it is a little less creepy. But who does that make the cat in the hat?

I really don't like the 2nd book for some reason.
Well, if it was all their imagination, if they told her about it she might not beleive them. Or she might get mad at them for having made the mess in the first place, even if they DID clean it up in the end. I see that as part of their game "shh, dont' tell Mommy about our little fantasy creature!"
post #16 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fallriverfox View Post
DD found our copy again and I'm hiding it somewhere else after she goes to bed. So does anyone else dislike "Cat in the Hat" too or am I just a Grinch?
If you don't like it, just throw the book away! Or give it to Goodwill.

I don't mind the book, personally.
post #17 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:51pm
I do see what all of you are saying though. If you take the book at face value, it IS pretty creepy. But if you imagine it being the kids' fantasy, and their reluctance to join is their "excuse for making the mess- see, I didn't do it and I tried to stop them!!" it all takes on a completely different meaning.
post #18 of 54
11/12/07 at 9:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruthla View Post
Well, if it was all their imagination, if they told her about it she might not beleive them. Or she might get mad at them for having made the mess in the first place, even if they DID clean it up in the end. I see that as part of their game "shh, dont' tell Mommy about our little fantasy creature!"
I think looking at it as an adult those things show through, but as a child I took the book at face value. "Wow! A giant weird looking talking cat came to their house!"

I still (as an adult understanding the imagination aspect) think the book has some questionable messages for children.

That said I have read it to my son, I just make sure to discuss the issues throughly.

1. Children should never be left home alone

2. Never allow a stranger into the house

3. Stand up for yourself and speak out if something feels wrong or uncomfortable to you

4. You can allways tell me anything

For the book's high creep factor it's still a great teaching tool
post #19 of 54
11/12/07 at 10:01pm
I don't know...

go ask your mother




Yeah I find it a little creepy.

But Grim Fairy tales are just not allowed in my house. I read them as a kid and didn't think anything of it. Then DH and I were looking for books for our future DD and I picked it up. He said he will not allow her to read it because it scares kids unnecessarily. He thinks kids should be innocent as long as possible and Grim is the stuff nightmares are made of. I hadn't thought of it that way but I agreed he was right.
post #20 of 54
11/12/07 at 10:23pm
I dont' care for it, but I love Dr Suess books in general.
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