Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
#45 of 31 in Classic Seuss Series
on Goodreads (5,676)
What’s inside...
In this hilarious tale of mishap and misadventure, Dr. Seuss reminds us just how lucky we are. A madcap misadventure that roams from the Kavern of Krock to a forest in France, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? is the perfect tale for readers today and a helpful reminder that there is always someone worse off than ourselves. From the best-loved author of The Cat in the Hat, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Horton Hears a Who! and so much more, this hilarious story is packed with all the same Dr. Seuss characteristics we know and love – riotous rhyme, zany artwork and totally off-the-wall humour; Dr. Seuss's irrepressible optimism is front and center. 'Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?' is a classic Dr. Seuss story about a boy called Duckie who feels quite unlucky, and an old man who goes on to recount all the other people who are in far more precarious a situation than he. It's a story of optimism, of looking on the bright side of things, and above all, a story about being grateful for one's place without losing the inertia to improve it. With his unique combination of hilarious stories, zany pictures and riotous rhymes, Dr. Seuss has been delighting young children and helping them learn to read for over fifty years. Creator of the wonderfully anarchic 'Cat in the Hat', and ranked among the world's top children's authors, Dr. Seuss is a global best-seller, with nearly half a billion books sold worldwide.
Discussion points
Why do you think the old man in the Desert of Drize says that the people he mentions are lucky?
How does this story help us think about our own lives and the things we have?
Can you think of a time when you felt really lucky? What made you feel that way?
What would you do if you were in the shoes of any of the characters mentioned in the book?
How do you think being grateful can make us feel happier?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story where you felt lucky, encouraging your child to share their own.
Point out specific illustrations in the book that may resonate with your child, asking them how these pictures make them feel or what they think is happening.
Praise your child's responses to nurture their confidence in expressing their thoughts and ideas.
Relate the situations in the book to real-life family scenarios to make the discussion more relevant and engaging.
Encourage your child to think of ways they can show appreciation for the good things in their life, promoting a positive mindset.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Gratitude
Explanation: The narrator addresses the protagonist, reminding them of the various unfortunate situations others face, emphasizing how fortunate they are in comparison.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to recognize and appreciate the good aspects of their own lives, fostering an attitude of gratitude.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Various characters in the book face challenging and absurd predicaments but continue to persevere. This demonstrates the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face challenges without giving up, understanding that difficulties are a part of life and can be overcome with persistence.
Example Lesson: Perspective
Explanation: By observing the troubles of others, the main character gains perspective on his own issues, realizing they might not be as daunting.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that sometimes problems might seem smaller or more manageable when viewed from a different perspective.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Dr. Seuss introduces characters in relatable predicaments, which can teach children to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Promotes the development of empathy by encouraging children to consider how others might feel in difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book’s imaginative narrative and illustrations encourage creative thinking and show how diverse and absurd problems can be.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their imagination to think of creative solutions to problems and to view the world in innovative ways.