The Butter Battle Book: (New York Times Notable Book of the Year) (Classic Seuss)

by Dr. Seuss

Book Overview

The Butter Battle Book, Dr. Seuss's classic cautionary tale, introduces readers to the important lesson of respecting differences. The Yooks and Zooks share a love of buttered bread, but animosity... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394865804
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 0.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.3" x 0.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Something to think about

Before I get into my review, let me start by saying I missed the Cold War, except for in school history books. That being said, this is an excellent and thought-provoking book for 'kids' of all ages.This book is about 2 groups, the Yooks and the Zooks, who live separated only by a wall, and are very similar except for the way they butter their bread. This leads to a battle involving constantly bigger weapons, until they come up with the 'big-boy boomeroo', capable of destroying each other's lands. Of course, the book ends before the story does, leaving you guessing on exactly what would happen.I went through a few stages with this book, making it even better to think about. The first time I heard it, I was about 5, and upset that there was no 'ending'. After a few more times, I decided to use my imagination to create my own ending, which is what many children will do if encouraged by a parent reading with them. As I got older, I realized there was no ending because if it was real, you really wouldn't know how it ended until it happened. This book also made me think about how small differences in people can cause such big problems if you are not open minded. (That was after a few years - in the beginning I wondered why the Zooks didn't just turn their bread upside down and everyone would be the same). The Butter Battle Book is a wonderful lesson, written in a way that even a child could understand the concept of war, see how differences in people can cause foolish problems, and use their imaginations. I would recommend it to anyone.

The Real Slim Seuss

Dr. Seuss is a fantastic author; he has imagination, story-telling abilities, and a wonderful and clever sense of political activism. I was telling my history teacher about all the not-so-hidden political messages in all of his works and this work is the perfect example of Dr. Seuss's writing style. The Butter Battle Book has many different levels for what is so often called a children's book from an acclaimed so-called children's author. The battle between Yooks and Zooks over which way butter goes on bread gives children a good, simple, but true story about dealing with petty differences in a constructive way. Otherwise, bad things can happen, like war. That meaning is very good for children to learn and this is a great book to teach kids with. However, adults reading this book can see the obvious historical parallels and the deeper implications of the story line. The pettiness behind the conflict of the Cold War is Dr. Seuss's vehicle for conveying the astounding destructive potential behind a war where the enemies lose sight of their true goals and meaninglessly try to 'out do' each other. The war ends up getting fought for the wrong reasons and something that we will forever regret and can never take back may happen. This is a very real danger and the prejudice attached to battles like the one in this book eat away at our morals, our societies, and our motives. Dr. Seuss has done the world a wonderful lesson by showing this to children and adults alike.

An Important and Fun Book

This is one of the best Dr. Seuss books ever! I think that The Butter Battle Book and The Lorax are two of Suess's most important works. If you want to get a kid thinking on a larger, more global scale read this book to them. Dr. Seuss combines his usual imaginative poetry and illistrations with a serious, real life problem. I had a LOT of his books in my room as a kid, but this one sticks out in my head as one of the best and most important.

The many Levels of Seuss

Even at 20 years old, I still love Seuss. The silly word play always made me laugh, and I always figured the good Dr. was sending us messages on more levels than we could comprehend. The first time I picked this book up I was expecting a clever, bouncy, colorful edition of seuss, however, it just scared me. The message is very clear, and very startling. Maybe it is a good book for children to read, after all, they are the future. But then again, Suess only wrote 30% of his material throughout his carreer for children. I really love this book.

Yooks and Zooks, having a war.

Yooks and Zooks having a war. They are having a war over: which way do you eat bread with butter?Yooks eat their bread with the butter side up. Zooks eat their bread with the butter side down. The book is very hilarious, with full page color. Great for All Ages! Than-x Dr. Seuss! Another good book by Dr. Seuss: Horray For Diffendoofer Day!