We combed through all of Dr. Seuss’s greatest hits to find the books with the best messages and life lessons within them.

9. Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

When your kids are feeling a little sad or even ungrateful, Dr. Seuss’s Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? is the perfect cure. Your kids will learn from the wise old man from the Desert of Drize about optimism and gratitude.

8. The Butter Battle Book

7. Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

The star-bellied Sneetches look down upon plain-bellied Sneetches. Conflict grows between the two groups until an entrepreneur comes into town with a machine that paints stars on the plain-bellied Sneetches. The Sneeches and Other Stories imparts a lesson about how you shouldn’t classify someone or make assumptions about someone because of their appearance.

5. Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose

Thidwick has a big heart and some pretty big antler. He lets creatures take residence up in his antlers. He wants to help absolutely everyone, but his new residences start to take advantage of his kindness. When Thidwick is in danger and is too weighed down to move, he learns to stand up for himself. It’s great to help people, but sometimes even adults have trouble saying “no.” Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose provides plenty of good teaching moment for kids—and maybe even you.

4. Horton Hears a Who!

One of Dr. Seuss’s most beloved books follows an elephant named Horton after he finds that a speck of dust is actually a small planet called Whoville. He believes that everyone should be treated equally. The other animals of the jungle ridicule Horton for believing in something he can’t see or hear and even try to hurt poor Horton. This groundbreaking book will teach your children about equality and that standing up for something you believe in can be difficult.

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

You all know the story and your kids might have even watched the TV special, which Seuss illustrated himself. Maybe switch it up this holiday season and read the story of the Grinch out loud with your family. Everyone needs a reminder of what Christmas is actually about now and again.

2. I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew

This young narrator, who vaguely resembles a cat or a dog, has a lot of problems and decides the best way to deal with them is to run away from them. Over the course of I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew, the narrator learns that they must confront their problems head-on. This is a great lesson for kids of all ages.

1. The Lorax

This book is one of Dr. Seuss’s most famous books with a message. The Once-ler starts tearing down the Truffula trees to make garments for his new business. The Lorax appears out of the stump of the tree and says that he speaks for the trees as they have no tongues. The Lorax warns the Once-ler to stop what he’s doing, but the Once-ler continues to tear down the trees and creatures flee their environment. This book is extremely relevant as it stresses the importance of the environment and how we can’t let corporate greed destroy it.