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Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!
Dr. Seuss imagines a day when all your wishes come true in this classic Beginner Book. Octember the First is the day on which all your most outlandish wishes come true. If March is too dusty and April too gusty, if May is too early and June is too soon, just try to remember the first of Octember, when whatever you are hoping to get will be yours! From a balloon pool in the sky to a pickle tree in your backyard, Please Try to Remember the First of Octember! is a wildly silly story that will have readers laughing—and wishing—out loud.
Originally created by Dr. Seuss, Beginner Books encourage children to read all by themselves, with simple words and illustrations that give clues to their meaning.
Originally created by Dr. Seuss, Beginner Books encourage children to read all by themselves, with simple words and illustrations that give clues to their meaning.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
January 30, 2019
I tell you what, Octember sounds like a great month to have. I’m now waiting for it myself. You can get anything you wish for. It sounds like the greatest month there is - better than Christmas. The only problem is, this book told us all we can get and have on Octember 1st, but it didn’t tell us when it happens. I sure hope I don’t miss it.
Seriously, this is a fun story. Dr. Seuss didn’t illustrate it, but it still feels like a Dr. Seuss book and that story is fun. A boy and his amazing dog sell us the goods on Octember 1st and all you can get. If the nephew was younger, I know he would have bought this as well. He did say ‘wouldn’t it be great if there really were an Octember?” It would be the best I said. He gave this 5 stars and the niece gave it 3 stars.
I think this was my last Dr. Seuss book I haven’t read that’s for children. I’m pretty much done so I can re-read them, but there will be nothing new unless they release another magazine story that is basically unpublished. It has been a joy to read his whole catalog. He was such a talent with ups and downs, and he has charmed children for generations.
Seriously, this is a fun story. Dr. Seuss didn’t illustrate it, but it still feels like a Dr. Seuss book and that story is fun. A boy and his amazing dog sell us the goods on Octember 1st and all you can get. If the nephew was younger, I know he would have bought this as well. He did say ‘wouldn’t it be great if there really were an Octember?” It would be the best I said. He gave this 5 stars and the niece gave it 3 stars.
I think this was my last Dr. Seuss book I haven’t read that’s for children. I’m pretty much done so I can re-read them, but there will be nothing new unless they release another magazine story that is basically unpublished. It has been a joy to read his whole catalog. He was such a talent with ups and downs, and he has charmed children for generations.
October 8, 2023
The usual combination of Dr Seuss's rhyme, rhythm and repetition with zany accompanying artwork and off-the-wall humour, all of which create hilarious stories.
This one concentrates on the month of Octember when 'Everyone wants a green kangaroo ... or maybe two', a 'new skateboard tv' or wishes to 'swing through the air on a flying trapeze'.
And many other things are scheduled for the first of Octember, including a shower of money that 'doesn't come down much in March or November, or even September ... or in August, October, July or December' ... so the maxim is 'Remember the first of Octember' when 'Everything's Yours'.
As comedian Tommy Trinder once used to say, 'You lucky people'!
This one concentrates on the month of Octember when 'Everyone wants a green kangaroo ... or maybe two', a 'new skateboard tv' or wishes to 'swing through the air on a flying trapeze'.
And many other things are scheduled for the first of Octember, including a shower of money that 'doesn't come down much in March or November, or even September ... or in August, October, July or December' ... so the maxim is 'Remember the first of Octember' when 'Everything's Yours'.
As comedian Tommy Trinder once used to say, 'You lucky people'!
August 3, 2015
When I was a kid, every single Christmas and birthday I would ask for a pet lamb. My parents would say, "We'll see." They might as well have said, "Just wait til the first of Octember."
I never got that lamb, though these days I think I'd rather have a yellow convertible.
Just wait til Octember rolls around!
I never got that lamb, though these days I think I'd rather have a yellow convertible.
Just wait til Octember rolls around!
December 16, 2017
Another one of my little treasures I found on my book shelf from when I was younger. This little gem has a lovely flow to it, lots of rhyming words - so in all a very enjoyable read. I remember reading this book to my eldest daughter and marvelling at the colourful and outrageous things you could get of the first of Octember.
October 7, 2023
An interesting story about the day that you will have everything you want. Tot loved the rhyming. Does it being Theo LeSieg, as opposed to Dr.Suess, just mean there aren't any cats in hats and what not? Because honestly, I prefer that.
March 4, 2018
I terribly enjoyed this absolute ‘yummy gummy’ of a book which invited me to dreamland, I am sure my son aged 6, did too when I read the book to him. I was familiar with the ‘Dr. Seuss’ style of books before I read this book. I did, however, query the title and misread it initially as, 1st of October, which on a personal level bears much importance to me. Dr Seuss books are full of novelty and surprise which allow the young mind to expand and explore.
LeSieg recruits the child’s imagination to create a wishlist however, the downside is the child will only get these items on the First of Octember. LeSieg conjures zany items such as a ‘Jeep-a-Fly kite’ and a ‘Hock-Zocker court’ which are beyond the thought of any sane adult however, a child may understand these gizmos as a child ‘[has] innocent eyes’ and a ‘desire to learn how the world works’ (Meek 1988 p.14). Whether read too or read individually, this picture book is ‘international currency’ (Meek 1988 p.14) as the text can be followed easily. The theme of creating wish list is fast moving and engage readers to pursue. The book is written in rhythm and rhyme which can help a child learn the language.
Words on all pages except one, are of regular font. The words are easy to locate, found either at the bottom or the top of the page. A few pages show words printed in between pictures; this suggests an important point in the story. An example seen is on the page starts, ‘Octember’s the best because March is too dusty’, which emphasises Octember is better than the other two months mentioned. The story is written in the second person illuminating the idea the book discourse with you directly.
The effect of using bright hues such as green, yellow, bright red (Harding and Pinsent 2008 p.57) and blues all outlined in a thin black line which supports to the words and injects a passion to the beholder to join in and contribute. Bright colours used throughout the book give life and light and reveal energy (Moebius, W) possibly suggest a faster moving story.
The front page depicts the boy holding a board labelled Octember standing on the recto page facing verso looking clearly at the twelve colourful, framed months of the year dotted around on both pages. Thou this book is about ventures of Octember, this page can help a child to learn or recall 12 months of the year. The background is plain white allowing the reader to concentrate on the months.The boy stands between a fixed and low level indicating his character is of importance and encourages the reader to travel along.
In the most prominent double spread, the boy sits on his knees on the floor writing a marathon wishlist, he is positioned subtly in-line with the reader which indicates join the journey. The boy is on the verso page which suggests he feels secure yet, faces verso which proposes a challenge; possibly the items in his mind, need to be collated onto the huge ream of the paper announced in front where the boy is settled. The ream of paper bleeds into the edges on both verso and recto pages. This suggests the list is still incomplete and invites the beholder to becomes a participant in the pictured event (Doonan 1993 p.81). In the far back of the large room an unframed door and open window are seen; this reinforces the idea of adventure in this book. This full page allows the reader to feel the emotion attached which is strengthened by the handwritten list scrolled on both pages.
The first page shows the boy who walks with a large kangaroo; the scene is set in the daytime. The last picture in the book denotes the same boy smiling, walking down the hill close towards the end of the page, facing recto; this suggests the adventure is complete. This scene is again set during the daytime indicating the story lasts one day.
I am puzzled about gender equality not exercised in this fantasy storybook- possibly because this book was written forty years ago. Pictures of a girl alongside the picture of a boy possibly on alternate pages, would not alter the gist of the story, in fact, equality would be raised.
Four adverse places are mentioned, Alaska, Nebraska, Sweden and Garden of Eden. These places can be of interest to investigate by KS1 students if they have not previously encountered them.
I would suggest KS1 read this book because children of this age are imaginative, outlandish and familiar with the months of the year. The material is uplifting, a novelty and the text is easy to understand and follow. The main messages recruited by LeSieg and brought to life by Cumings are, children should express their ideas and aspirations in writing and be optimistic in life.
References:
Doonan, J.(1993) Looking at pictures in picture books. Stroud: Thimble Press
Harding, J. and Pinsent, P. (2008) What do you see? International Perspectives on Children’s Book Illustration.
Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Meek, M. (1988) How texts teach what readers learn. Exeter: Thimble Press.
Moebius, W. (2015) Picturebook Codes Explained
LeSieg recruits the child’s imagination to create a wishlist however, the downside is the child will only get these items on the First of Octember. LeSieg conjures zany items such as a ‘Jeep-a-Fly kite’ and a ‘Hock-Zocker court’ which are beyond the thought of any sane adult however, a child may understand these gizmos as a child ‘[has] innocent eyes’ and a ‘desire to learn how the world works’ (Meek 1988 p.14). Whether read too or read individually, this picture book is ‘international currency’ (Meek 1988 p.14) as the text can be followed easily. The theme of creating wish list is fast moving and engage readers to pursue. The book is written in rhythm and rhyme which can help a child learn the language.
Words on all pages except one, are of regular font. The words are easy to locate, found either at the bottom or the top of the page. A few pages show words printed in between pictures; this suggests an important point in the story. An example seen is on the page starts, ‘Octember’s the best because March is too dusty’, which emphasises Octember is better than the other two months mentioned. The story is written in the second person illuminating the idea the book discourse with you directly.
The effect of using bright hues such as green, yellow, bright red (Harding and Pinsent 2008 p.57) and blues all outlined in a thin black line which supports to the words and injects a passion to the beholder to join in and contribute. Bright colours used throughout the book give life and light and reveal energy (Moebius, W) possibly suggest a faster moving story.
The front page depicts the boy holding a board labelled Octember standing on the recto page facing verso looking clearly at the twelve colourful, framed months of the year dotted around on both pages. Thou this book is about ventures of Octember, this page can help a child to learn or recall 12 months of the year. The background is plain white allowing the reader to concentrate on the months.The boy stands between a fixed and low level indicating his character is of importance and encourages the reader to travel along.
In the most prominent double spread, the boy sits on his knees on the floor writing a marathon wishlist, he is positioned subtly in-line with the reader which indicates join the journey. The boy is on the verso page which suggests he feels secure yet, faces verso which proposes a challenge; possibly the items in his mind, need to be collated onto the huge ream of the paper announced in front where the boy is settled. The ream of paper bleeds into the edges on both verso and recto pages. This suggests the list is still incomplete and invites the beholder to becomes a participant in the pictured event (Doonan 1993 p.81). In the far back of the large room an unframed door and open window are seen; this reinforces the idea of adventure in this book. This full page allows the reader to feel the emotion attached which is strengthened by the handwritten list scrolled on both pages.
The first page shows the boy who walks with a large kangaroo; the scene is set in the daytime. The last picture in the book denotes the same boy smiling, walking down the hill close towards the end of the page, facing recto; this suggests the adventure is complete. This scene is again set during the daytime indicating the story lasts one day.
I am puzzled about gender equality not exercised in this fantasy storybook- possibly because this book was written forty years ago. Pictures of a girl alongside the picture of a boy possibly on alternate pages, would not alter the gist of the story, in fact, equality would be raised.
Four adverse places are mentioned, Alaska, Nebraska, Sweden and Garden of Eden. These places can be of interest to investigate by KS1 students if they have not previously encountered them.
I would suggest KS1 read this book because children of this age are imaginative, outlandish and familiar with the months of the year. The material is uplifting, a novelty and the text is easy to understand and follow. The main messages recruited by LeSieg and brought to life by Cumings are, children should express their ideas and aspirations in writing and be optimistic in life.
References:
Doonan, J.(1993) Looking at pictures in picture books. Stroud: Thimble Press
Harding, J. and Pinsent, P. (2008) What do you see? International Perspectives on Children’s Book Illustration.
Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Meek, M. (1988) How texts teach what readers learn. Exeter: Thimble Press.
Moebius, W. (2015) Picturebook Codes Explained
May 28, 2015
This was one of my favorite books as a kid.
November 13, 2017
Poetry - A fun book for rhyming! It gives you a chance to read with a fun beat, and also look for words that go together.
June 16, 2023
a cute way for children to remember the months of the year, even imaginery/fictious months. but it's sad to anticipate a month that'll never come.
"May is too early and June is too soon. when Octember gets here, no work! and no school!"
"you'll get all that you want. you just write out your list. everyone has an Octember First list."
"May is too early and June is too soon. when Octember gets here, no work! and no school!"
"you'll get all that you want. you just write out your list. everyone has an Octember First list."
December 25, 2024
This one came out a bit later. And sure there is conspicuous wanting. Consumption galore. But there is silly fun art. And silly fun text. And again the text is repetitive but not enough to be irritating. This one should be annoying, but for some reason I always just take it as fun.
February 21, 2019
Please Try To Remember The First Of Octember!
PLOT: This fun, light-hearted, book is centered on a fictional day called Octember the First. On this special day whatever you want is yours for the asking.
MY THOUGHTS: I mean WOW! Two questions. Who are the "we's" over this day and forget the day itself, can I MARRY one of these we's? Listen to some of the things these "we's" wanna give us on this day. They start off wanting to give us lame things like pickle trees and skateboards with tv's, but THEN they step up their game QUICKLY! They actually tell us to make out our list. The illustration shows pages and pages and tells us not to get wrist strain. Cause they want us to have EVERY SINGLE THING on the list. And they'll give it to us if we wait for this day. You know one of the "we's" has to be a billionaire because trucks are gonna pull up to our house delivering all the things we put on the list. The "thought" of that ALONE excites me because one of my favorite things ever is getting stuff in the mail from my wish lists on Amazon. I would be in HEAVEN! On this day there's a no school, no work, there are fireworks going off in the sky, and there's a cruise on a ship to a far-away island. Probably the ship will take you anywhere you request it to go. And then it's probably a private ship if you don't want to share it with any other passengers. And if that doesn't do it for you then you'll LOVE this line. "So be sure to be here! Be sure you're in town. On Octember the first when the money comes down!" SAY WHAAATT?! Not only do we get material things in bags and boxes, but there's gonna be money falling from the sky all day long? What town in this again? That sends chills all over my body! Why in the world isn't this a REAL day? Can we make this a day? I am LOVING the concept of this book! I think that if I were a teacher I would use this book as a creative writing lesson. I would have my students tell me what they'd do on Octember 1st and what their wish list would be. I know I'm thinking about my list. What about you?
RATING: 10 This book to be so small a read, has a HUGE idea inside that's so amazingly inspiring you can't help but to love the idea of it.
PLOT: This fun, light-hearted, book is centered on a fictional day called Octember the First. On this special day whatever you want is yours for the asking.
MY THOUGHTS: I mean WOW! Two questions. Who are the "we's" over this day and forget the day itself, can I MARRY one of these we's? Listen to some of the things these "we's" wanna give us on this day. They start off wanting to give us lame things like pickle trees and skateboards with tv's, but THEN they step up their game QUICKLY! They actually tell us to make out our list. The illustration shows pages and pages and tells us not to get wrist strain. Cause they want us to have EVERY SINGLE THING on the list. And they'll give it to us if we wait for this day. You know one of the "we's" has to be a billionaire because trucks are gonna pull up to our house delivering all the things we put on the list. The "thought" of that ALONE excites me because one of my favorite things ever is getting stuff in the mail from my wish lists on Amazon. I would be in HEAVEN! On this day there's a no school, no work, there are fireworks going off in the sky, and there's a cruise on a ship to a far-away island. Probably the ship will take you anywhere you request it to go. And then it's probably a private ship if you don't want to share it with any other passengers. And if that doesn't do it for you then you'll LOVE this line. "So be sure to be here! Be sure you're in town. On Octember the first when the money comes down!" SAY WHAAATT?! Not only do we get material things in bags and boxes, but there's gonna be money falling from the sky all day long? What town in this again? That sends chills all over my body! Why in the world isn't this a REAL day? Can we make this a day? I am LOVING the concept of this book! I think that if I were a teacher I would use this book as a creative writing lesson. I would have my students tell me what they'd do on Octember 1st and what their wish list would be. I know I'm thinking about my list. What about you?
RATING: 10 This book to be so small a read, has a HUGE idea inside that's so amazingly inspiring you can't help but to love the idea of it.
May 28, 2009
Dr. Seuss uses his pen name Theo Le Sieg for this book. This allowed him to use a different illustrator Art Cumings (who appears to have given the copyright to Random House publishers - I'm thinking Art Cumings is a pseudonym for an in-house illustrator?). Anyway I'm not a fan of the illustrations as a whole, the only real highlights are the suess-ian influenced complex machines! Seuss also moves away from his traditional anapestic tetrameter, to a much simplier (and easier to write) poetic form.
I just couldn't get into the rhythm of this book, the illustrations didn't appeal and the story was only so-so. Overall a bit of a disapointment.
I just couldn't get into the rhythm of this book, the illustrations didn't appeal and the story was only so-so. Overall a bit of a disapointment.
June 26, 2009
This is a fun book that not only teaches about the various months of the year, but also about delayed gratification and the anticipation of waiting for a special day, even if that day doesn't really exist. I'll have to remember "The First of Octember" the next time our girls come down with a case of "I want this!"-itis. The sentences are short and rhyme, which makes it a fun read for beginning readers.
September 2, 2012
I love this book! I felt like the narrator was telling this to his child just like any parent would do to brighten their imagination. Ex: "We'll get you a pony on the first of Octember." Hopefully after reading this children will ACTUALLY believe this is an actual month. I also enjoyed the illustrations; they grasped my attention and made me feel as if I was part of the story. Definitely a good book for children with BIG imaginations.
February 26, 2018
On the First of Octember, anything and everything can happen!
Yet another book from my childhood revisited as I reorganize my bookshelves. This one also had a nice little bonus: a piece of lined writing paper with my dad's name on it in what looks a lot like my handwriting. Even now, the 'e' gives it away. That, or my sister and I started out with very similar writing styles due to parental influence. Still, nice little memento.
Yet another book from my childhood revisited as I reorganize my bookshelves. This one also had a nice little bonus: a piece of lined writing paper with my dad's name on it in what looks a lot like my handwriting. Even now, the 'e' gives it away. That, or my sister and I started out with very similar writing styles due to parental influence. Still, nice little memento.
March 31, 2011
This is a great book for younger children when beginning to so discuss months of the year. The title plays on the two months of October and and other months that end in "ber." Theook also has rhyming words as it is a Dr. Seuss book, and therefore it can be used when introducing a lesson on rhyming words.
November 1, 2012
I loved this book. As a child I related to the little boy and his wide eyed curiousity at the cool things falling from the sky. I especially enjoyed when food began falling from the sky. That part made me hungry. This book is one of my all time favorites because it appeals to my childlike wonder concerning Christmas Morning while still being a year long book.
January 24, 2013
Summary: This book is about a fictional month the month of Octember; apparently some pretty amazing thing are supposed to happen the first day of Octember.
I thought that this was an interesting kids story but it bothered me because the month of Octember was so similar in name to the month of October that at first I was confused.
Picture Book
This book is not controversial.
I thought that this was an interesting kids story but it bothered me because the month of Octember was so similar in name to the month of October that at first I was confused.
Picture Book
This book is not controversial.
July 20, 2016
As I was clarifying an album on Facebook of the books I like getting the dates around the time I read them, I noticed I did not have this one, which represent all the Dr. Seuss books I have read. And needed one to represent them as a whole. This one stands out because of Octember, as its a made up month and got me thinking all those years ago. 1977 is a speculative day I finished the book.
July 5, 2017
What is the wildest, craziest thing you've ever wanted? Money falling from the sky? A truck load filled with goodies? All the time in the world? Well if you just wait until the First of Octember you can have it!
A great rhyme filled book about all the silly things we wish for. Filled with great illustrations and imaginative inventions. If only there really was a First of Octember.
A great rhyme filled book about all the silly things we wish for. Filled with great illustrations and imaginative inventions. If only there really was a First of Octember.
September 11, 2010
My four-year old is still learning to read, so the Suess rhymes were beyond her. But she really enjoyed looking at the pictures and creating a silly story to go along with the illustrations. Great fun!
December 19, 2016
Read during Pre-K class visit on 6/6/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
Read at Pre-K Class Visit on 6/11/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
Read at Pre-K Class Visit on 6/11/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
November 16, 2012
This is a great Seussian work! Always so clever.
Seuss entices the characters (maybe the readers) to go ahead, be greedy. Wish for lots of ridiculous material possessions! Excellent silliness! Emerson loved it.
Seuss entices the characters (maybe the readers) to go ahead, be greedy. Wish for lots of ridiculous material possessions! Excellent silliness! Emerson loved it.
July 7, 2017
A Dr. Seuss-like book about a child asking for everything, and being promised it all when Octember comes. Perhaps it's too passive of a way to say no to your child, but the book was thought-provoking as a sort of parody of our materialistic culture.
December 24, 2015
Today, I learned that the books are signed Theo. LeSeig when they have guest illustrators. This book doesn't quite have the same meter and catchy feeling that other Dr. Seuss books have, but it's a cute little story nonetheless!
August 5, 2017
This was kind of a disappointing Dr. Suess book; Although still fun it just wasn't like all the others. Octember is to close to October so children are getting the two confused. And the various things that 'can be done come Octember 1st' confuses them too.
March 13, 2018
At least the artist attempted to match the style of Seuss’ artwork when he was asked to illustrate this book, but I still wasn’t overly impressed. It just doesn’t feel like true Seuss if it’s not all Seuss!
February 15, 2017
Great book
October 2, 2017
my 5 year old giggled and corrected me every time I said Octember.
January 22, 2018
Classic Seuss
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews