Hunches in Bunches Theme of Choices

The title of this book could just have easily been Choices in Bunches, but since Hunches in Bunches rhymes better, it got the top spot while Choices went to the trash. We stand by it though; this Seussian masterpiece is all about choices. We all have to make choices in our lives, and sometimes that can be downright tough. Our minds can create choices (the Hunches) that seem equally appealing and unappealing, easy to ignore and difficult to choose between. By creating a type of game of the decision making process, the Hunches show us that although it might be difficult, it doesn't mean it has to be pure agony.

Questions and Answers

Questions the little ones might ask and how you might respond

Q: What exactly are the fidgets?
A: The fidgets are what happen when you can't make up your mind. In this case, the boy has the fidgets because he has too many choices.

Q: Why does the boy have so many Hunches?
A: Because he's a child with the day off. Summer vacation? Also, it seems he has a vivid imagination, helping to multiply those pesky Hunches.

Q: How does the boy pick between those Hunches?
A: In the end, he's the one who has to make the decision because the Hunches really are just getting in the way.

Q: All he wanted was a couple hot dogs?
A: He wanted to be able to make up his mind. The hot dogs are incidental—as hot dogs tend to be.