The Cat in the Hat - The Subtext

Like many people, I will find myself reading books to children that I have read myself at their age. It's fascinating to see what you notice with 20-30 (or more) years of age & experience, if not wisdom. The Cat in the Hat appears to be about: A divorced (or at least single) mom, A ne'er-do-well, possibly absentee father who the kids see as the titular Cat and... The Fish who I think is an older sibling who actually remembers what a plonker their dad was and warns his two younger siblings (who don't remember) to not allow their dad back into their life. Evidence: Mom clearly has a twin bed At no point is their father ever mentioned No babysitter at all - except the responsible fish!? The cat just kind of... shows up but seems quite familiar with them and the fish definitely seems to know him. He's trying to make up for years of being a deadbeat by showing them a day of super-amazing fun with all his toys. But then he just waltzes right back out of their lives again, leaving the kids to wonder what they should do. Thoughts on this and the subtext on other children's books? I'll add more in the comments with specifics the next time I'm compelled to read this. Or maybe I won't. Who knows!

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