From: Clark Underbakke <CUnderbakk>
Date: Fri, 08 May 1998 10:43:33 -0500

A personable young man placed a book on my table this morning in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. I was flattered to be remembered and was even more delighted when I read the title..._Hooray For Diffendoofer Day!_ the manuscript Dr. Suess was working on when he passed away. The book was finished by Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith.

The book tells about a unique elementary school, Diffendoofer School, and its highly effective faculty/staff: "There are many other people who make Diffendoofer run. They are utterly amazing- I love every single one."

The teacher, Miss Bonkers, and the principal, Mr. Lowe, are faced with the battle of saving their school from possible ruin if the student body does not perform well on a special test.

The text is, of course, humorous and the illustrations are engaging. Both the author and illustrator did a good job making the book their "own." (As much as they possibly could...) Some of the text was taken directly from notes left by the man himself and other parts were added to. In some cases, Prelutsky had to choose ONE of Suess' many ideas. The illustrations are representative of Smith's work, but are carefully interspersed with original Suess artwork in the form of collage.

I hope you will add this book to your collection...a must! I hope you are as lucky as I am to be remembered at this special time of the year...

Regards, Clark Underbakke 5th Grade Teacher Green Valley Elementary 3200 Old Columbiana Road Hoover, AL 35226 cunderbakk at hoover.k12.al.us
Received on Fri 08 May 1998 10:43:33 AM CDT