THE SNEETCHES AND OTHER STORIES.

By Dr. Seuss (Theodor S. Geisel'25). New York: Random House, 1961.65 pp. $2.95.

Four delightful stories in one cover make this a bonus book by Dr. Seuss. The shortness of each story helps its plot, bringing a pleasant simplification. The anatomy now shows and as the bone structure is sound, this is all to the good. The last of the four even has a new rhythm. This is startling. The meter has been the same for years, and now, zingo, it isn't. But it is exactly right for the tale of the pale green, unoccupied pants.

Each story has its moral, perhaps the brevity shows this more clearly than heretofore, and perhaps it is not a bad idea. Do not think that Dr. Seuss has changed. The lovely, incredible situations still happen; the illustrations are as graphic and impossible as always; the rhyme as lovely as before. Everything is sharper and clearer than usual, and if possible, more fun. The incredible confusion caused by Sylvester McMonkey Mcßean with his fascinating machine is proof of the same, sure hand. His automobile which operates on both skis and a tractor tread may be investigated by Detroit. The confusion among the Sneetches who learn that snobbery is of little real value is dandy, and the anguish shown by the four-hair topknot on each Sneetch is wonderful'. In the second story you find out being stubborn gets you nowhere except in this case it is the excuse for a wonderfully complicated highway complex.

The woman who named her twenty-three sons all Dave gives an incomparable opening for a series of unlikely first names. Does the last one, "Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate," have any local significance?

The last tale with its change of pace is not quite so light-hearted. Perhaps seeing a pair of empty pants bounding about is rather upsetting. The point is that there is no need to be afraid.

All four are entertaining, with suitable and amusing pictures and clever word usage. Exactly what one expects but wonders if it will still be there. How we enjoy and chortle and appreciate each Dr. Seuss book, and thank him for all the pleasure that he can give us.