The Shape of Me and Other Stuff

by Dr. Seuss

Even in silhouette, the fun and fanciful art of Dr. Seuss is instantly recognizable in this Bright and Early Book "a bug, a balloon, a bed, a bike. No shapes are ever quite alike." Looking at ordinary shapes is great when seen through the eyes of the remarkable Dr. Seuss, but of course it's the extraordinary shapes that really make an impression. Would you want to be shaped like a BLOGG? Combining brief and funny stories, easy words, catchy rhythm, and lively illustrations, Bright and Early Books are an ideal way to introduce the joys of reading to children.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Classics, Poetry, Humor, Juvenile

19 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Also wrote as Theodore Seuss Geisel, see https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born 2 March 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1925, and proceeded on to Oxford University with the intent of acquiring a doctorate in literature. At Oxford he met Helen Palmer, who he wed in 1927. He returned from Europe in 1927, and began working for a magazine called Judge, the leading humor magazine in America at the time, submitting both cartoons and humorous articles for them. Additionally, he was submitting cartoons to Life, Vanity Fair and Liberty. In some of his works, he'd made reference to an insecticide called Flit. These references gained notice, and led to a contract to draw comic ads for Flit. This association lasted 17 years, gained him national exposure, and coined the catchphrase "Quick, Henry, the Flit!"

In 1936 on the way to a vacation in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 43 publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.

During World War II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's for Hitler Lives and Design for Death). He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing which also won him an Oscar.

In May of 1954, Life published a report concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Geisel's publisher, and prompted him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat , which went on to instant success.

In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham . Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.

Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.

Also worked under the pen name: Theo Le Sieg

Reviews

[☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The silhouette illustrations were great and refreshing, tbh.

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently I’ve never logged this one?!

This is a fun book about shapes and shadows and being happy with who you are.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 9-month old enjoyed putting it in her mouth.

[Adam James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing to see here - just padding my 2017 reading list so I can reach 100 books. Shhhhhh, don't tell...uh...God...?

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Seuss is usually recognized for his brightly coloured and creative illustrations, but this book gives us the exact opposite illustrative technique. Seuss explores the concept of shape through outlines of various common items, animals, people, and a few of his whimsical creations as well, and utilizes a strictly monochromatic aesthetic to make his illustrations stand out on the page. While Seuss does not reach the artistic heights of Victorian-era artists like Arthur Rackham or the woodcut printers who popularized the simplistic style, this concept will surely be a novel change for readers who are used to seeing a riot of illustrations on the pages of Seuss’ books. In typical fashion, Seuss does not really stick to simple silhouettes though, as many of his illustrations see borderline shading occurring in his linework and he refuses to give up his bright colour palette. I may not be a huge fan of his silhouettes compared to his whimsical narratives, but I am sure that young readers will delight in the game of guessing each silhouette before the answer is revealed in text.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one came out in 2001, well into my adulthood which is why I'd never read (let alone heard of it) before. But I'm glad I discovered it.
Like the other Dr. Seuss books, it's cute but it doesn't have the charm of older books like "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.".
The pictures are mostly dark to demonstrate shapes, but there'snot a big palate of color, which was a disappointment after reading the colorful "One Fish...".
Still it was cute and it has the easy to read rhymes of the classics, but in all honesty I'm glad I grew up in the generation that had the best books!

[Alayna Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book about how we are all different shapes and that's how it's supposed to be and the shape we are is the way shape we get to be!!!!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute about appreciating the body shape you have

[Alessandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hardcover read. My little one picked it out then lost interest.

[Shaneka Taylor]

Text-to Teaching Connection: The Shape of Me and Other Stuff is a simple text that helps children to think about the shape of things if they are not familiar with the novel. The drawings are in perspective, so children can focus in a different way on the shape of objects. "The book also encourages kids to be proud of their own unique shape, as it concludes with, "Hooray for the shapes in which we are! A great activity would be, .on a bright sunny morning grab a camera and take away around the school. Make sure to take a picture of the shadow as well as the original thing, and later make and play a matching game with your students. Match the picture object with the shadow!

[Radwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

the silhouettes shapes are interesting and new, to teach children all about different shapes and shadows.

"it makes a fellow think. the shape of you, the shape of me, the shape of everything I see."

[Jenny Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

[Kira Hollars · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is a bit simplistic, it has such imaginative illustrations and a unique style distinct to Dr. Seuss’ repertoire. Personally, I remember my mom reading several of his books to me when I was a child, but I don’t recall this particular story. I was drawn into it by the bright orange cover and the colorful backgrounds of each page with blacked or whited out silhouettes of the different shapes he described. The short picture book is about the many shapes of things and encourages children to take a bit of notice to their own worlds and ponder the many shapes of things around them. This is a great way to inspire curiosity in children—something that comes natural to our youth, but can often be stifled by adults who expect children to think and behave a certain way. The pace of this book is rather quick (as it is only a few sentences at most per page and relies primarily on illustrations to draw the reader’s attention) but it still maintains a more subtle theme about being content with our own shapes. Especially now, in the world of social media and the constant comparing we do with one another, it is vital for children to understand and appreciate their uniqueness. What a boring world we would live in if everyone looked the same or if everything held the same shape. The ending line of this story: “Of all the shapes we might have been, I say hooray for the shapes we’re in!“ emphasizes this concept of body positivity. Out of the infinite number of shapes and sizes that exist in the world, no two people are exactly the same and that diversity is certainly something to celebrate. I highly recommend introducing this little book into your personal library as I have added it to my future classroom bookshelf.

[Hannah Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not quite as fun as other Seuss classics, "The Shape of Me" is still an enjoyable little read with the added excitement for kiddos of guessing what all the silhouettes are. I do also particularly enjoy the ending--"of all the shapes we might have been, I say HOORAY for the shapes we're in!" It's one of my toddler's favorites of the Seuss books we've introduced so far (though his signature imaginary beasts do cause her some confusion).

[ZaBeth Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Dr. Seuss rythm comes alive in this short 26 page book. Perfect for the early readers, this book has pictures to capture their imagination while conveying a clear message that being different is a good thing. Different is a positive message and one we really need to be reminded of in this current world filled with too many haters.

[Luke Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accelerate Reader BL: 1.7
Lexile: 440L

I really like this book because it sparks the imagination and could be used for all sorts of teaching opportunities. I love the ideas behind it and although the illustrations are somewhat simplistic, they work well with the words on the page.

Traits: Ideas, Presentation

[ryan wilkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bright & Early book! Brief, funny, and shares appreciation for the many shapes we may see during our life!

Above all, to appreciate ourselves and be proud of who we are, and the shape we’re in.

Classic rhyming, natural to most Dr. Seuss books. But also, a great word and shape association for kids to learn!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for beginner readers. My first grader was super happy to be able to read this book by himself. A few words he needed help on but he did good. I would recommend this book to others.

[Triston Dutschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is meant for early readers. It has them ponder on the different shapes that they may not have ever thought about. Such as the shape of beans or lips. Overall, the read is simple but can have young readers use their minds to think about things a little differently.

[Morgan Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for beginner readers and young children. This was one of niece's favorite books. She loves the colors and wild illustrations. I think that that this is a great book to have around for little ones.

DRA: 6
Lexile: 440L

[Carlos De Eguiluz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una valiosa lección: No importa tu forma o tu envoltura, pues, de todas las figuras que existen, tienes suerte de haber quedado en la tuya.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun to read and has a great message about being happy with our bodies.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big fave with the kiddo. Very Seuss.

[K Morlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Dr. Seuss book about "the shape of things"- the shadows things give off. We absolutely enjoyed it!!

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite of Sofia!!!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of rhyme and silhouette drawings of different shapes and sizes of just anything that you can imagine. This book even has the shape of a BLOGG!

[Paul Graham Terpstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool book. There’s lots of different shapes on the world. This book will help you recognise them all.

[Priscilla Reinart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the meaning and illustrations

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice book for beginning readers that teaches awareness of shapes.

[Maki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for an example of shadows. I enjoyed this book of all different hsapes and shadows.