This message is underscored on the very next page by one of the very few images of a character with a sour, unhappy expression. The implicit message is that learning to read short words naturally leads to being able to read big words and being able to read big words is a terrific accomplishment capable of making one joyous and happy. Then comes the capper: dad can read words that are big both in terms of letter count and typeface.

The sister proudly points out that both boys can read a little bit. The youngest brother even bounds into the frame from the side. All this joy leads to the final pages of the book where it all comes together.Ī very happy family composed of mom and dad and three siblings stand against a vivid pink background, all smiling happily against. Even when pop demands of his kids to stop hopping on him, his angry face is juxtaposed against the absolute bliss of the kids hopping on the opposite page. Everyone in this book seems to be having a wonderful time even when their activities are intruded upon by unpleasantness. The siblings who like to talk while they walk are absolutely enthralled to do both. The pup in the cup may well be the most contentedly happy character in Seuss history. In fact, a father becomes the central figure of the book, but surprisingly it is not the pop on whom the kids hop.Īll the little sketches and characters are presented in through illustrations that reveal a supreme joy.

Black, for instance-even the conceptualization of hopping on pop disregards a coherent storyline. While there are characters who are given the equivalent of their own sketch-the thing that can sing and Mr. The effect is to make the text more prominent and dominant than usual.Īs a phonic primer, there is, of course, no actual narrative to speak of. Rarely are the images in a Seuss book self-contained within a geometric frame, but a huge number of these pictures here are situated within a simple square below the text. The typeface is huge, allowing the text to dominate while the illustrations are of a more limited nature than usual. Technically speaking it is one of, if not the simplest book in the Seuss canon. Seuss takes it upon himself to teach young children how to read, it is a book that subtly seeks to convince kids of the power and joy of learning to read. Hop on Pop is not just a book in which Dr. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

Dr seuss book hop on pop