Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
– Dr. Seuss

“Things may happen and often do to people as brainy and footsy as you” 

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the story of your child—well, a boy in one fantastic pair of pajamas who Dr. Seuss uses as a stand-in for your child, who was just a twinkle in your eye when this book was actually written. Phew.

We get to follow your child as they set off into the world to see what life will bring them, encountering all sorts of crazy adventures along the way. In other words, we get to follow your child as they go, well, the places they’ll go!
[From: Shmoop.com]

 

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” 

A perennial favorite, Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery school, high school, or college grads!
From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. In a starred review, Book list notes: “Seuss’s message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ‘Great Balancing Act,’ but through it all ‘There’s fun to be done.’
[From: Amazon.com]

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”

In this joyous ode to life, Dr. Seuss addresses graduates of all ages, from nursery school to medical school, and gives them the get-up-and-go to move mountains with the unrivaled exuberance and charm that have made Dr. Seuss’s books favorites for years. [From: Goodreads.com]

“Oh the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored.
There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.” 

The story begins with the narrator, relating the decision of the unnamed protagonist (who represents the reader) to leave town. The protagonist travels through several geometrical and poly chromatic landscapes and places, eventually encountering a place simply called “The Waiting Place”, which is ominously addressed as being a place where everyone is always waiting for something to happen. It is implied that time does not pass in the Waiting Place. As the protagonist continues to explore, spurred on by the thoughts of places he will visit and things he will discover, the book cheerfully concludes with an open end. [From: Wikipedia.com]

“Fame you’ll be famous, as famous as can be,
with everyone watching you win on TV,
Except when they don’t because sometimes they won’t..” 

Celebrating the wisdom of the beloved Dr. Seuss, this 20th anniversary edition of the book first published one year before his death at age eighty-seven reminds readers that life has challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Best of all, life also has joys.

Whereas most of Seuss’s books are primarily cherished by young children, this one has become a modern classic and remained a bestseller because of its appeal to older audiences.

Although some youngsters have been given the book as they complete kindergarten, it is also popular as a graduation gift for students of all ages as they complete high school, college, or university degrees.

And the book is commonly given to new retirees as they venture into their new life experiences.

We can all identify with Seuss’s “Every man” with brains in his head and feet in his shoes as he decides which direction to choose. Seuss’s signature zany illustrations in pastel colors remind us of some of life’s absurd situations, but we know in the end, we will succeed (98 and ? percent guaranteed).
[A Review by Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. on Barnesandnoble.com]

“Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. Oh! The places you’ll go!”

The master of enjoyable didacticism offers a flight of fancy into the future of a generic “you” who is venturing out into the world, where he will have ups and downs but will succeed and finally “MOVE MOUNTAINS!”

While doting relatives will find this extended greeting card an ideal gift for nursery school graduates, the story will have less appeal for children than Seuss’ story books and easy readers.

Seuss’ characteristic drawings carry and extend the text through maze like streets, over colorful checkerboard landscapes, into muddy blue “slumps,” through heady highs when fame results from success at the game of life, and through dark, lonely confrontations with graveyard-like fears in times of solitude.

While the text gives a strong message of self-determination and potential, the small, male “you” pictured seems more of a passive passenger on his journey through life, reacting to things as they come and walking along with his eyes shut on both the first and last pages of the text.

Although this does not rank among the best of Seuss’ books, its stress on self-esteem and imaginative artwork make it a good addition to picture-book collections.
[A Review by School Library Journal]

“Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind maker-upper to make up his mind”