Sophomore history teacher Mr. David High read to his classes “The Butter Battle Book” by Dr. Seuss on Friday, April 1. While the book is thought to be a children’s book, it portrays an actual historical event. The students learned that the story is a parody of the arms race that took place during the 1950s between the United States and Russia.

In the story, the “Yooks,” who wear blue clothing represent the United States, and the “Zooks”in orange clothing represent the Russians. Both parties detest the way the others eats their bread. The Yooks believe in eating their bread butter-side up, while the Zooks believe in eating theirs butter-side down. Throughout the story, the tensions between the Yooks and Zooks increase, until the end when both parties face each other waiting for the other to strike.

Mr. High explained to the class how the novel represented the conflict between the United States and Russia during the Cold War era where both sides threatened to destroy the other with the use of nuclear weapons. Dr. Seuss’s book uses satire and rhyming to teach children about the arms race.