In this classic cautionary tale about respecting differences, Dr. Seuss shows how a small—and in this case, very silly—disagreement can escalate into a big problem.

“But we Yooks, as you know, when we breakfast or sup, spread our bread,” Grandpa said, “with the butter side up.”

The Yooks and Zooks share a love of buttered bread, but animosity brews between the two groups because they enjoy the tasty treat differently. One prefers the butter side up, the other prefers the butter side down. How far will each side go to prove they’re right?

The timeless and topical rhyming text is an ideal way to teach young children about respect and conflict resolution. Whether in the home or in the classroom, The Butter Battle Book is a must-have for readers of all ages.