Yertle the Turtle

Written by Dr. Seuss

Reviewed by Blackberry

"I know, up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here at the bottom we, too, should have rights."

Although it was written over 50 years ago, one of my absolute favorite books of all time is Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss. I used to read it with my family all the time when I was the age of a Junior Beaver (which was forever ago!). Yertle the Turtle follows the story yertle the turtle coverof Yertle, the king of the pond on the far-away Island of Sala-ma-Sond. All the turtles in the pond had everything they needed and were happy just where they were- that was until Yertle decided he wanted a bigger kingdom. Yertle had turtles upon turtles stacked up high so he would be king of all that he could see. Finally, one turtle named Mack stood up for himself and all the turtles in the pond and they knocked Yertle down from his high throne of turtles. Yertle fell all the way down to the bottom of the pond and became king of the mud. Dr. Seuss ends by saying that all the turtles were free in the pond just as all creatures on earth should be.

 

Yertle the Turtle was one of my favorite books because it helped reinforce the idea that we all have a responsibility to stand up for ourselves and others. Mack stood up for himself and all his turtle friends so they could all go back to being happy in their turtle pond. Dr. Seuss reminds his readers to hold their values close to their hearts and remember that we are all equal. Take some time to read this with your child and help teach them how important it is to be true to their self!