Parents, grandparents and caregivers Hooray for Diffendoofer Day is based on an idea by Dr. Seuss. He passed before completing the book. Jack Prelutsky completes the text. Lane Smith illustrates the book.

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day is about a celebration at the school, Diffendoofer. Diffendoofer has a little problem. The school does not conform with the program of teaching children only facts to pass standardized tests.

Diffendoofer school believes differently on the subject. It takes the creative approach. The children are taught to think for themselves. The school has unusual teachers and curriculum. One teacher teaches listening. Another teacher teaches smelling. Laughing is another lesson. Yelling is a subject.

One day, the Diffendoofer students are told there is an upcoming standardized test. The students are nervous. If the students fail the test, the Board of Education will demolish the school. Failure means school in dreary Flobberton where imagination is not allowed.

Test day arrives. The students take the test. They ace the test. Their success is due to the fact the students can think and reason for themselves. Teachers are not daily drilling test answers into their heads.

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day is a commentary on educational programs that measures children learning by test score results and nothing else. Dr. Suess shares his theories on standards-based programs with his readers. There is a special section at the end of the book with his notes.

A creative child who can think for himself is our future inventor or protector of our liberties. A child who learns only what is drummed into their head is likely to believe anything told him by those in power.

Children learn in many ways.. Remember the saying, “There is more than one way to skin a cat.”

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day has rhyming verse. Jack Prelutsky’s poetry captures Dr. Suess’ lively banner. There is a blend of Lane Smith and Dr. Seuss’ characters on each page. The vocabulary is advance for the average picture book reader to read on their own. Therefore, the book is for ages seven-years-old and up or read it aloud. This book like the Dr. Seuss' children’s books, Oh, the Places You’ll Go and The Lorax, is a good book for both kids and adults. Make it a staple in teacher colleges.



Picture Books for Children

Children's Books

List of 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
Note: Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! is from the public library. Random House publishes Dr. Seuss and Magic Tree House Books.