Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss, born Theodor Seuss Geisel, lives in the hearts and memories of many. As his birthday approaches, on March 2nd, we reflect back on how he has touched so many lives.
We each have our likes and our dislikes among his books. One of my favorites is “Hop on Pop”. I love it, especially for early readers, because there are so many “word families” for them to recognize.
I have a love/hate relationship with “Green Eggs and Ham”. The story is kind of fun, but when you have a child that likes to be read the same book over and over again, this one gets a bit monotonous. I do enjoy it enough that I would share it with my preschool classes. It illustrates a lesson I taught my own children; you need to taste something before you decide you don’t like it. Every year, I would make green eggs and ham, at school, for the children to try. I’m not talking about cutesy candies that look like green eggs and ham; I mean we actually ate green eggs and ham.
Green Eggs and Ham
Here is how I created our green eggs and ham. First, I purchased a piece of ham. I place the ham in a shallow dish or bowl and cover it with water that I have colored with green liquid food coloring. I let it sit overnight to absorb as much green as possible.
I would have the children help make the green cheesy scrambled eggs. First, they would break the eggs into a bowl and mix them up. I would then ask them what color the eggs were. At this point they look yellow. Next I pulled out the blue food coloring. Yes, blue! I’m throwing in a little color lesson.
I ask them what color they think the eggs will turn when I add the food coloring. Some will guess blue but others will come up with the correct answer. We will have covered mixing colors earlier in the year so I hope several of them will remember. I add a little milk and then I let them tear up some American cheese slices and add it to the mixture. I have an electric pan so I would first fry up the ham and then cook the cheesy scrambled eggs. The majority of the kids LOVE them and would ask for seconds and thirds. I would make sure that everyone at least tasted it because that was the whole point of the story.
What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book? Do you have a favorite craft or activity you like to do?
Click the picture below for a downloadable recipe for Green Eggs and Ham:
Kim Seghers says
I love your poem! I pinned it. But, I eat with my eyes..lol I could not eat that green eggs and ham!!
Mama Carmody says
I promise, it is really good. My preschoolers still talk about it.
Crystal Foose says
That is the one thing my kids miss about public school: Dr. Suess Night! They never eat the green eggs and ham very well though.
Mama Carmody says
To me, just getting the lesson that they should try and taste things is a win; even if they don’t end up liking it.
Sibylla Nash says
I always love the birthday celebrations for Dr. Seuss, so amazing the body of work he was able to produce. Great post!
Mama Carmody says
I’ve always loved rhyming books and some of Dr Seuss’s are the best.
Christine - The Choosy Mommy says
I love Dr. Seuss! His books are classics. And I love that we celebrate his birthday every year.
Mama Carmody says
It really is a lot of fun. I enjoy it too.
Alicia says
Green eggs and ham! Yum!!
Mama Carmody says
They really are good. The preschoolers really love helping make them.
Allison (funfamily.vacations) says
We are going to the symphony next month for the Zany Dr. Seuss Concert. Can’t wait!!
Mama Carmody says
How was the concert. Was it a lot of fun?
Amanda says
Love Dr. Seuss – the Places You will Go is Great to give as a give HS Graduates
Mama Carmody says
I have bought that book for a couple of graduates.
ashleigh says
This is so wonderful for Dr. Seuss’ Birthday! I will have to do this with m y youngest who is not in school yet! Thank you for sharing!
Mama Carmody says
I hope you enjoyed it.
Holly says
We also have a tradition of green eggs and ham in our house for Dr. Seuss Day. However, I use spinach to turn my eggs green. I’m always trying to give my kids some extra veggies whenever I can!
Mama Carmody says
Spinach sounds like a sneaky healthy way to turn your eggs green. I like that idea.
Esther says
Excellent post! We love Dr. Seuss and all the lessons he had to teach us. No matter how young or young at heart we may be, there will always be a place in our hearts for him.
Mama Carmody says
Well, I don’t think I actually ever grew up so I still love things like Dr. Seuss, Disney and VeggieTales.