There's a Wocket in My Pocket

Last updated
There's a Wocket in My Pocket
Theres a Wocket in My Pocket.jpg
Author Dr. Seuss
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre Children's literature
Publisher Random House
Publication date
1974 (renewed in 2002)
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback)
Preceded by The Shape of Me and Other Stuff  
Followed by Great Day for Up!  

There's a Wocket in My Pocket is a short children's book by Dr. Seuss, published by Random House in 1974. It features a little boy talking about the strange creatures that live in his house, such as the yeps on the steps, the nooth grush on his toothbrush, the wasket in his basket, the zamp in a lamp, the yottle in the bottle, and the Nureau in the bureau. [1]

Contents

Summary

A boy walks through his house, speculating that different creatures live behind each object. He describes creatures that he likes, such as the Yot in the pot, the Gable on the table, and the Ghair under the chair. He also describes creatures that he doesn't like, such as the Yottle in the bottle, the Bofa on the sofa, and the Nooth Grush on his tooth brush. He thinks of many more creatures whom he considers his friends, and he expresses gratitude for the home he lives in.

Writing

There's a Wocket in my Pocket is one of the Dr. Seuss books that depends on nonce words. Seuss constructed each rhyme to pair one English word and one nonce word. [2] The nonce words are contrasted from the English words with a substitution of the initial phoneme. [3] The book's exploration of the house teaches readers about the names for common household objects. [4] The creatures in the book are reminiscent of those in other Dr. Seuss books. [5]

The Vug under the rug was originally intended to be the Uug under the rug, but secretary Claudia Prescott misread the U as a V when transcribing the book, and Seuss decided that he preferred her version. [6] [7]

Along with Great Day for Up!, There's a Wocket in My Pocket was the final book that Seuss wrote for the Beginner Books series before he reduced his involvement with the imprint, handing over editorial control to Walter Retan. [6]

Analysis and reception

Jonathan Cott cited There's a Wocket in My Pocket as an example of Seuss's ability to produce "remarkable animal creations". [8] A reviewer for the School Library Journal said that the book is "strained in its silliness". [5] Robyn Ramer of Common Sense Media gave There's a Wocket In My Pocket four out of five stars, praising the illustrations for their color palette and for their use as visual aids when reading more difficult words. [9]

There is no coherent plot in There's a Wocket on My Pocket. Instead, its main appeal is its use of language and its poetic style. Paul Di Filippo compared Seuss's work in this regard favorably to that of James Joyce, arguing that Seuss is able to use this technique without alienating readers. [10] Elizabeth B. Moje and Woan-Ru Shyu described it as one of Seuss's "most language-conscious works", saying that it allowed for children to engage with language using humor. [11]

Professor of early learning Barbara A. Wasik likened the book's vocabulary to a child's experience learning new words. When adults read There's a Wocket in My Pocket, they encounter words they have never seen before and must use the illustrations to determine what they mean. [12]

The book's ending demonstrates a common Dr. Seuss theme of independence and self-confidence, as the boy says he is happy with his situation regardless of whether the reader believes him or not. [13]

Legacy

There's a Wocket In My Pocket was adapted as a read-and-learn mobile app by Oceanhouse Media, including a digital copy of the book and ten educational minigames. [14] It has been speculated that the real estate website Zillow derived its name from the book's Zillow on the pillow, but the company has denied this. [7] In 2018, rapper Win Nevaluze rapped the words of There's A Wocket In My Pocket to the beat of the Migos song "Walk It Talk It", causing it to become an internet hit. [15] [16] [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Seuss</span> American childrens author and cartoonist (1904–1991)

Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American children's author and cartoonist. He is known for his work writing and illustrating more than 60 books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. His work includes many of the most popular children's books of all time, selling over 600 million copies and being translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death.

<i>The Cat in the Hat</i> 1957 childrens book by Dr. Seuss

The Cat in the Hat is a 1957 children's book written and illustrated by American author Theodor Geisel, using the pen name Dr. Seuss. The story centers on a tall anthropomorphic cat who wears a red and white-striped top hat and a red bow tie. The Cat shows up at the house of Sally and her brother one rainy day when their mother is away. Despite the repeated objections of the children's fish, the Cat shows the children a few of his tricks in an attempt to entertain them. In the process, he and his companions, Thing One and Thing Two, wreck the house. As the children and the fish become more alarmed, the Cat produces a machine that he uses to clean everything up and disappears just before the children's mother comes home.

<i>Horton Hears a Who!</i> 1954 childrens book by Dr. Seuss

Horton Hears a Who! is a children's book written and illustrated by Theodor Seuss Geisel under the pen name Dr. Seuss. It was published in 1954 by Random House. This book tells the story of Horton the Elephant and his adventures saving Whoville, a tiny planet located on a speck of dust, from the animals who mock him. These animals attempt to steal and burn the speck of dust, so Horton goes to great lengths to save Whoville from being incinerated.

<i>Green Eggs and Ham</i> 1960 childrens book by Dr. Seuss

Green Eggs and Ham is a children's book by Dr. Seuss. It was published by the Beginner Books imprint of Random House on August 12, 1960. The book follows Sam-I-am as he follows an unnamed man, repeatedly asking him if he would like to try some green eggs and ham before the man eventually tries it and likes it. Seuss began writing Green Eggs and Ham after his editor Bennett Cerf bet him $50 that he could not write an engaging children's book with a vocabulary of 50 words. Finding the challenge difficult, Seuss used notes, charts, and checklists to keep track of his progress. The book covers themes of conflict between individuals, though Seuss has said that it lacks any deeper meaning. Green Eggs and Ham was widely praised by critics for its writing and illustration, and challenge of writing a book in 50 words is regarded as a success. The book has been the subject of multiple adaptations, including a television series of the same name in 2019.

<i>The Sneetches and Other Stories</i> Book by Dr. Seuss

The Sneetches and Other Stories is a collection of stories by American children's author Dr. Seuss, published in 1961. It is composed of four separate stories with themes of tolerance, diversity, and compromise: "The Sneetches", "The Zax", "Too Many Daves", and "What Was I Scared Of?". Based on an online poll, the National Education Association listed the book as one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children". In 2012 it was ranked number 63 among the Top 100 Picture Books in a survey published by School Library Journal – the fifth of five Dr. Seuss books on the list.

<i>Horton Hatches the Egg</i> 1940 childrens book by Dr. Seuss

Horton Hatches the Egg is a children's book written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel under the pen name Dr. Seuss and published in 1940 by Random House. The book tells the story of Horton the Elephant, who is tricked into sitting on a bird's egg while its mother, Mayzie, takes a permanent vacation to Palm Beach. Horton endures a number of hardships but persists, often stating, "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent!" Ultimately, the egg hatches, revealing an elephant-bird, a creature with a blend of Mayzie's and Horton's features.

<i>And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street</i> 1937 Dr. Seuss book

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street is Theodor Seuss Geisel's first children's book published under the name Dr. Seuss. First published by Vanguard Press in 1937, the story follows a boy named Marco, who describes a parade of imaginary people and vehicles traveling along a road, Mulberry Street, in an elaborate fantasy story he dreams up to tell his father at the end of his walk. However, when he arrives home, he decides instead to tell his father what he actually saw—a simple horse and wagon.

<i>Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories</i> 1958 picture book collection by Dr. Seuss

Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories is a picture book collection by Theodor Seuss Geisel, published under his more commonly known pseudonym of Dr. Seuss. It was first released by Random House Books on April 12, 1958, and is written in Seuss's trademark style, using a type of meter called anapestic tetrameter. Though it contains three short stories, it is mostly known for its first story, "Yertle the Turtle", in which the eponymous Yertle, king of the pond, stands on his subjects in an attempt to reach higher than the Moon—until the bottom turtle burps and he falls into the mud, ending his rule.

<i>On Beyond Zebra!</i> 1955 book by Dr. Seuss

On Beyond Zebra! is a 1955 illustrated children's book by Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. In this take on the genre of alphabet book, Seuss presents, instead of the twenty-six letters of the conventional English alphabet, twenty additional letters that purportedly follow them.

<i>Hop on Pop</i> 1963 childrens book by Dr. Seuss

Hop on Pop is a 1963 children's picture book by Dr. Seuss, published as part of the Random House Beginner Books series. The book is subtitled "The Simplest Seuss for Youngest Use", and contains several short poems about a variety of characters designed to introduce basic phonics concepts to children.

<i>The Seven Lady Godivas</i> 1939 book by Dr. Seuss

The Seven Lady Godivas: The True Facts Concerning History's Barest Family is a picture book of the tale of Lady Godiva, written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss. One of Seuss's few books written for adults, its original 1939 publication by Random House was a failure and was eventually remaindered. However, it later gained popularity as Seuss himself grew in fame, and was republished in 1987 by "multitudinous demand".

<i>McElligots Pool</i> 1947 childrens book by Dr. Seuss

McElligot's Pool is a children's book written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel under the pen name Dr. Seuss and published by Random House in 1947. In the story, a boy named Marco, who first appeared in Geisel's 1937 book And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, imagines a wide variety of fantastic fish that could be swimming in the pond in which he is fishing. It later became one of the Seuss books featured in the Broadway musical Seussical where its story is used for the song "It's Possible".

<i>Happy Birthday to You!</i> 1959 childrens book by Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday to You! is a 1959 children's book by Dr. Seuss, the first all-color picture book.

Beginner Books is the Random House imprint for young children ages 3–9, co-founded by Phyllis Cerf with Ted Geisel, more often known as Dr. Seuss, and his wife Helen Palmer Geisel. Their first book was Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat (1957), whose title character appears in the brand's logo. Cerf compiled a list of 379 words as the basic vocabulary for young readers, along with another 20 slightly harder "emergency" words. No more than 200 words were taken from that list to write The Cat in the Hat. Subsequent books in the series were modeled on the same requirement.

<i>The Foot Book</i> Book by Dr. Seuss

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<i>I Am Not Going to Get Up Today!</i> Book by Dr. Seuss

I Am Not Going to Get Up Today! is a children's book written by Dr. Seuss and illustrated by James Stevenson. It was published by Random House on October 12, 1987. It is the only Dr. Seuss book not to be illustrated by Seuss himself. The book is told from the perspective of a boy who decides not to get out of bed as his family and neighbors try to convince him to get up. Audio versions have been released, including a cassette tape in 1988 and an audiobook read by the actor Jason Alexander in 2003.

Helen Marion Palmer Geisel, known professionally as Helen Palmer, was an American children's writer, editor, and philanthropist. She was also the Founder and Vice President of Beginner Books, and was married to fellow writer Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, from 1927 until her death.

<i>How the Grinch Stole Christmas!</i> 1957 childrens story by Dr. Seuss

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a Christmas children's book by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author. It follows the Grinch, a cranky, solitary creature who attempts to thwart the public's Christmas plans by stealing Christmas gifts and decorations from the homes of the nearby town of Whoville on Christmas Eve. Miraculously, the Grinch realizes that Christmas is not all about money and presents.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, published over 60 children's books over the course of his long career. Though most were published under his well-known pseudonym, Dr. Seuss, he also authored a certain amount of books as Theo. LeSieg and one as Rosetta Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political messages of Dr. Seuss</span>

The political messages of American children's author and cartoonist Theodor Seuss Geisel, best known as Dr. Seuss, are found in many of his books. Seuss was a liberal and a moralist who expressed his views in his books through the use of ridicule, satire, wordplay, nonsense words, and wild drawings to take aim at bullies, hypocrites, and demagogues.

References

  1. ↑ Fischler, Marcelle S. (March 7, 2004). "SEUSSENTENNIAL; Stories of Sneetch, Lessons in Lorax". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  2. ↑ MacDonald, Ruth K. (1988). Dr. Seuss. Twayne Publishers. p. 138. ISBN   978-0-8057-7524-2.
  3. ↑ Yopp, Hallie Kay (1995). "A Test for Assessing Phonemic Awareness in Young Children". The Reading Teacher. 49 (1): 20–29. ISSN   0034-0561.
  4. ↑ Ford, Carin T. (2003). Dr. Seuss: Best-loved Author. Enslow Publishers. p. 93. ISBN   978-0-7660-2106-8.
  5. 1 2 "Dr. Seuss' There's a Wocket in My Pocket!". School Library Journal . 21 (4): 49. December 1974. ISSN   0362-8930.
  6. 1 2 Jones, Brian Jay (2020). Becoming Dr. Seuss: Theodor Geisel and the Making of an American Imagination. Penguin Publishing Group. pp. 368–369. ISBN   978-1-5247-4279-9.
  7. 1 2 Keyes, Ralph (2021). The Hidden History of Coined Words. Oxford University Press. p. 112. ISBN   9780197573921.
  8. ↑ Cott, Jonathan (2005). "The Good Dr. Seuss". In Fensch, Thomas (ed.). Of Sneetches and Whos and the Good Dr. Seuss: Essays on the Writings and Life of Theodor Geisel. McFarland, Incorporated Publishers. p. 121. ISBN   978-0-7864-2447-4.
  9. ↑ Raymer, Robyn. "Parents' Guide to There's a Wocket in My Pocket". Common Sense Media . Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  10. ↑ Filippo, Paul Di (2006). Plumage from Pegasus. Cosmos Books. p. 26. ISBN   978-0-8095-5609-0.
  11. ↑ Moje, Elizabeth B.; Shyu, Woan-Ru (2005). "Oh, the Places You've Taken Us: The Reading Teacher's Tribute to Dr. Seuss". In Fensch, Thomas (ed.). Of Sneetches and Whos and the Good Dr. Seuss: Essays on the Writings and Life of Theodor Geisel. McFarland, Incorporated Publishers. p. 193. ISBN   978-0-7864-2447-4.
  12. ↑ Wasik, Barbara A. (2006). "Building VOCABULARY One Word at a Time". YC Young Children. 61 (6): 70. ISSN   1538-6619.
  13. ↑ Einhorn, Lois (2012). Why Do We All Love Dr. Seuss?: Discovering the Mystery and Magic of an Icon. Robert D. Reed Publishers. pp. 100, 113. ISBN   978-1-934759-58-5.
  14. ↑ "There's a Wocket in my Pocket - Read & Learn by Dr. Seuss". Children's Technology Review. 26 (5): 9. May 2018. ISSN   1555-242X.
  15. ↑ "Some Fucking Genius Combined Dr. Seuss and Migos and It's Fire". 5 April 2018. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  16. ↑ Schweitzer, Kate (9 April 2018). "You'll Never Read This Dr. Seuss Classic the Same After Hearing 1 Rapper's Version". POPSUGAR Moms. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  17. ↑ Gallucci, Nicole (2 April 2018). "Who knew a Dr. Seuss and Migos collab was exactly what the world needed?". Mashable . Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
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