It begins with an Everyman innocently reading in, we should presume, his own home. A stranger runs past him with a wooden sign announcing that he is Sam. Our protagonist recognizes he is the victim of a home invasion, but like so many restrained Updike males, is unable to voice his objection to his domestic tranquility being shattered, other than to utter a powerless plea that he doesn't care for this Sam character.

Sam, having taken the upper hand, moves beyond in-your-face picketing (note the clever denegration of peace activists by this introduction) and will now force our hero to eat some offensive looking victuals: meat clearly in the advanced stages of rot, and eggs to match. There is a suggestion that the spineless victim brought this upon himself by hiding from society, engaging in anti-American activity by reading books. The reader is left to ponder whether the victim is a Communist, or at the very least a vegetarian. For this reason, Sam, cleverly named to represent the consensus view of these United States, must prevail.

The victim's protests are many, his attempts at evasion numerous. Leaving the safety of his home only increases his discomfort; he is forced to endure the company of several possibly rabid mammals, all while Sam keeps shoving the unwanted offal in his face. While he has removed the irrepressible Sam from his house, he must also deal with roller-coaster rides into the water, while getting rained on and being forced to climb a tree; none of these being interests of your typical egghead. As the story moves along, the reader feels less and less sympathy for the victim, blaming his situation on his noncomformity, even if the society of those who wish him to eat rotten animal products are animals themselves.

The presumptive lesson of this book is that one must conform to social pressure, or even worse things will happen. This fable is an important lesson for today, with so many anti-intellectual messages coming from both government and media. Viewed in its proper context, we see it as a cautionary tale of a hellishly restrictive society that is back with a vengeance.


A great pre-reading tool   June 18, 1998
 39 out of 42 found this review helpful

As a certified elementary school teacher and practicing preschool teacher (3-year-olds), I highly recommend this book! There isn't a day when I don't hear "Ms. Molly, read 'Sam-I-Am!'" My poor copy of "Green Eggs and Ham" is tattered, torn, missing pages and is in the process of losing its cover! When I read it, the children follow along and are able to recall the rhyming words when I intentionally skip them (a skill which usually surfaces at a later age.)

When we have free time in the classroom, there is a mad dash to the bookshelf to fetch "Green Eggs and Ham." I sit out of sight while the children quietly sit down with "Green Eggs and Ham" and watch them turn the pages and "read" the story. They know what lines belong to which page by "reading" the pictures. This is one of the earliest and most positive signs of reading readiness. Of course the children aren't "reading" the words, but they are becoming aware of letters as symbols for sounds. I often hear them mimicking my many interpretations of the book (some of which get quite enthusiastic!) and other children gather round the "reader" to hear the story, sometimes helping out! The benefits they are reaping from this story alone marks the beginning of an enjoyable journey through the many facets of language development (reading, comprehension, phonics, rhyming, speaking, listening, and interpretation.)

Not only is the book full of fun phrases, fantasic illustrations, lively characters and poignant messages, but also is a great tool for learning about the initial processes of reading and recognizing written language. In later years, "Green Eggs and Ham" and other books as endearing (whether the children will realize it or not) may lead to a love of books and reading which may help them succeed in school.

I have no doubt that my students will forget who "Ms. Molly" is in their teenage years and beyond, but they will ALWAYS hold in their hea! rts a special memory that is "Green Eggs and Ham."


Delicious Reading   February 28, 2001
 21 out of 26 found this review helpful

This is one of the most famous of all kids' books, and rightly so. In Dr. Seuss's classic story, Sam tries mightily to persuade his friend to eat some green eggs and ham. His entreaties, followed by the progressively longer refusals are accompanied by whimsical bright drawings against simple backgrounds. One can only say that it is "Seussian." Whether the denouement will help your kids eat formerly suspicious foods is debatable, but it will probably increase their hunger for more fun reading. A great book for the beginning reader as well!


It's easy to read, but challenges the mind   May 18, 1998
 12 out of 17 found this review helpful

Dr. Suess's "Green Eggs and Ham" is appealing to people young and old. Children enjoy this book because it's funny and has humorous pictures, but it teaches them lessons they need to learn in life. One lesson is ot "keep an open mind." Never be ignorant and refuse to listen to others. Another is "you don't know 'til you try it." I remember my parents always telling me about new foods...especially veggies! You can't know if you like or don't like something unless you've tried it. Same goes for being good or bad at something. For example, I would never have known I had musical talent unless my parents had forced me to take piano and flute lessons. I now also take harp. I think adults and teens would enjoy this book because although it's simple, using easily understood words, it is complex and makes you think. "Green Eggs and Ham" makes me wonder about how many ways we can ask the same question. "Would you, could you, will you," etc. Even though Suess uses easy words, he makes the book come together like a puzzle. Everything ties in throughout the whole book. He interlocks pheases differently on almost every page. It's easy to read, but it challenges the mind.


Too many flaps - buy the standard version   November 18, 2007
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

This book has too many small flaps and is annoying. Buy the regular version, not this one with several tiny flaps on each page, which you have to open to read the text.