Seuss, Theodor. (1947). McElligot’s Pool. Illus. Theodor Seuss. New York, New York: Random House.

Marco is at it again with his wild imagination. This time we can add a touch of optimism to the story. As the young boy is fishing in McElligot’s pool, a farmer comes along and tells the boy that he is wasting his time, the only thing that lives in the pool is junk. The boy takes the high road, and says if he is patient and calm, he will catch a fish. Heck, he could even catch an eel! His imagination runs wild with the things he could catch if he waits and is patient at McElligot’s pool.

Author Study Book

Grade Level: K-2

Readers who will like this: Readers who like to fish, readers learning about patience, teaching children about optimism

Response/Rating (1-4): 3

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Has anyone ever told that you can’t do something?