Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss tells the story of a king whose desire for something new leads to unexpected trouble when sticky green “oobleck” falls from the sky. Through Bartholomew’s courage and the king’s eventual humility, young readers learn about taking responsibility for one’s actions and the importance of contentment. The story encourages children to think about the consequences of their choices and value what they already have.

Within our literature-based homeschool curriculum, Bartholomew and the Oobleck is integrated in several ways: 

• Science Integration: Students explore the properties of substances through creating their own 'oobleck,' learning about non-Newtonian fluids in a hands-on experiment that directly connects to the story's themes.
• Critical Thinking and Ethics: Discussions prompted by the book encourage students to evaluate the king's decisions, moral reasoning, and the concept of leadership. 
• Creative Writing Exercises: Inspired by Dr. Suess's inventive tale, students craft their unique stories or poems, employing their imagination and playing with language.
• Art Projects: Reflecting on the vivid illustrations and themes of the book, students engage in art projects that capture the essence of the oobleck and the story's setting.