Synopsis
In the colorful Jungle of Nool, Horton discovers something that at first seems impossible: a tiny speck of dust contains an entire miniature world –Who-ville – complete with houses and grocery stores and even a mayor! But when no one will stand up for the Whos of Who-ville, Horton uses his elephant-sized heart to save the day. This tale of compassion and determination proves that any person, big or small, can choose to speak out for what is right.- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★★
- ★★★★☆
- Discuss this hadith with your child: “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” (Nawawi) How do Horton’s actions relate to this hadith?
- Horton is the only one who hears the desperate pleas of the Whos’. The other animals think he is crazy. Amidst the ridicule and mistreatment, Horton acts with determination to do what he knows is right. Discuss how the following hadith relates: “Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange, so blessed are the strangers.” (Muslim)
- When did everyone else finally hear the cries of the inhabitants of Who-ville? It is not until “a very small, very small” Jo-Jo, speaks up that the Whos are heard. What do you think the author is trying to show us? The importance of citizenship, staying informed, working together and giving it your all no matter how big or small the contribution.
- What is the difference between information and knowledge? What information did the kangaroo have? The monkeys? The eagle? Did they have enough information before they took action?
- As the animals begin to bully Horton we see the very real consequences of ignorance: insults, slander and rash decision-making, illustrating the dangers of groupthink. Give examples of this in our lives. How can we protect ourselves? Discuss the following dua as a means of protection: “O Allah, enable me to see the truth as truth and give me the ability to follow it, and enable me to see the falsehood as false and give me the ability to refrain from it.”
Mindful Muslim Review
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.”—This simple but important lesson is beautifully illustrated in this Dr. Suess classic. As the largest land animal, Horton could simply ignore the desperate calls of the tiny residents of Who-ville, silencing his conscience and continuing to relish in his jungle fun. He chooses instead to sacrifice his enjoyment and comfort to protect the citizens of Who-ville, understanding full well that with his large elephant size comes great responsibility. His heroic journey is not an easy one. Despite continuous ridicule and mistreatment, Horton courageously pushes forward, single-handedly demonstrating that sometimes doing the right thing may be difficult, may be lonely and may seem strange. At a deeper level, we see how quickly misinformation can spread, demonstrating the very real dangers of ignorance compounded by technological advances. This book highlights a profound understanding of a shared humanity, the importance of citizenship, the rewards of perseverance, and the necessity of thinking critically, earning our Gold Star. For a deeper look at the importance of teaching children the critical distinction between information vs. knowledge, read our blog post.
