Yertle the Turtle and other Stories are by the writer and illustrator Dr. Seuss(March 4, 1904-September 24, 1991). Random House published the collection of fables in 1950. Yertle the Turtle, Gertrude McFuzz and the Big Brag are the three stories in the collection. The classic Dr Seuss picture book is for kids between four and eight-years-old(ages 4-8).

A turtle, Yertle, wants to be the king of the pond. He asks the other turtles to pile one on top of another. They comply with Yertle’s request. He becomes the top turtle on the pile. He claims to rule all he can see. Unfortunately, Yertle builds his kingdom on the backs’ of the other turtles. King Yertle ignores the starving turtles’ loud cries for food. The turtles revolt. Yertle’s kingdom falls as so does he, now he is the king of the pond’s muck. What’s the big deal of being the big turtle of the scrap heap? His coveting of power is his downfall.

Gertrude McFuzz is a good-looking bird with a plain tail. Gertrude covets Lolla-Lee-Lou beautiful tail. Lolla-Lee-Lou’s tail is full-feathered. Gertrude, which has only one tail feather, gets her wish. However, she discovers she cannot walk, fly or run. What is a bird who cannot do these things? Her coveting of beauty is her downfall.

The Big Brag is between a bear and rabbit. They each brag to be the best beast in the world. Why? One animal brags as having the best ears for hearing. The other forest animal claims he has the best nose for smelling. A worm happens along and stops to listen to their debate. He decides the bear and rabbit are the biggest fools. The worm returns to work shaking his head at their absurdity. Rabbit and bear’s bragging draws laughter from the worm and other animals. Their coveting of superiority brings jeers from others.

Dr. Seuss’s collection of fables is as stories of old. Like Aesop’s Fables, Dr. Seuss’s fables are a combination of humor and wisdom. His moral stories help humans lead a better life. Parents and teachers can share the story book with toddlers, preschool and elementary kids. Discuss the fables and their message with children. Use Yertle the Turtle and other Stories to introduce young people to fables.



And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street is the first Dr Seuss story book for children. It was written in 1937.


"I always imagined Paradise to be a....library." - Jorgelius Borges

Sign up to receive the free Children's Books Site newsletter. Do not miss any future articles.

More Children Books

Dr. Seuss Books
Don Freeman's Books
Stan Berenstain's Books
Magic Tree House Books
Chronicles of Narnia Books
A Series of Unfortunate Events Books