Module 2: McElligot's Pool

 Book Summary:  A small boy is fishing in the tiny, unpromising McElligot's Pool, a puddle that is nothing but a hole people throw trash in. But the boy imagines that there is more to the pool: what if the pool is deeper than anyone thinks? What if it connects to an underground stream that flows under the town to the sea? Might not all sorts of fish then swim up the stream and be caught here? Who knows what fantastic fish might swim in McElligot's Pool!

APA Reference of Book: Dr. Seuss. (1947). McElligot's pool. New York: Junior Literary Guild  

Impressions: This was not a Seuss book that I had previously ever seen, but I greatly enjoyed reading it. The story is a fantastic example of a young boy's creativity and patience. I like the message that you shouldn't let naysayers get you down because you might be right, there could be more to any situation than everyone else knows. I very much enjoyed the illustrations showing how the pool continues down and across the page into bigger and more wonderful things. It gave the drawings a sort of flow that was visually appealing.

Professional Review:  Utterly enchanting nonsense tale, which children and grown-ups will equally claim. Particularly fishermen, of any age. A small boy drops a fishing line in a farmer's pool and ignores the farmer's scornful comment on the kinds of things he will find in the pool. His imagination plays, instead, with the kinds of things the pool might provide -- and the pictures are wonderful,- superb drawing, beautiful color, lots of humor in double page spreads throughout.

(1947).  McElligot's pool  [Review of the book MsElligot's pool by Dr. Suess].  Kirkus Reviews 15(5), 62.  Retrieved from www.kirkusreviews.com

Library Uses: I like the idea of doing this story along with a craft. The children could make their own creative fish to show what they would like to catch in McElligot's pool. I think that this book could also be used to open a discussion with children about the virtues of patience.