America Ferrera on Why ‘The Cat in the Hat’ is a Classic Worth Revisiting

Remember being a kid, when picking up a book was practically part of growing up? As we were learning our ABCs, we were constantly encouraged to read, one page at a time. But while reading may be taught, a genuine love for literature is something else entirely. It is something we catch along the way, often without even realizing it.                        

And if there was one book that almost certainly found its way onto every childhood bookshelf, it was The Cat in the Hat. A familiar character in just about every children’s library, Dr. Seuss’ beloved classic is practically a no-brainer. Chances are, we’ve all flipped through its pages at least once in our lives.   

Now, The Cat in the Hat comes to the big screen—its animated theatrical feature film debut, where an all-new, epic adventure unfolds. 

The Cat, voiced by Bill Hader, takes on his toughest assignment yet for the I.I.I.I. (Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC): to cheer Gabby and Sebastian, a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town. Known for spreading joy to kids in his signature hilarious way, this is a new challenge for the hero, possibly his last chance to prove himself; or else, he’s bound to lose his magical hat.

For America Ferrera, however, the story’s familiarity goes beyond childhood nostalgia. It is a book that has found its way into another generation of her family, thus making the opportunity to revisit the beloved classic all the more meaningful.                        

“The book has always been a staple of my childhood, and now, of my children’s as well. It’s both iconic and open to reinterpretation. I was excited to see Erica [Rivinoja] and Alessandro’s [Carloni] vision for the film, particularly their enthusiasm for exploring Mom’s backstory,” America shared.                        

America’s connection to Dr. Seuss, however, extends beyond The Cat in the Hat. ”I grew up loving the language and rhythm of Dr. Seuss’s books,” she said. Having grown up loving the distinct language and rhythm of his books, she has carried that same appreciation into motherhood. In fact, the very first book she and her husband read to their son in the hospital was Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, a memory that still brings her to tears.                                                        

But beyond its story and illustrations, the book had a way of taking us to a totally different world somewhere else entirely. As children, we didn’t just read about the mischievous Cat in the Hat; we truly imagined—in which every single chapter of the story became its own little movie in our heads.

And perhaps that is the magic of Dr. Seuss’ stories. They do more than simply tell a tale. Beyond the illustrations and amazing stories, they have a way of transporting readers into entirely different worlds. Now, imagine that childhood daydream finally making its actual way onto the big screen.

This time, The Cat in the Hat truly leaps beyond the pages and onto the big screen, reimagined as an animated motion picture that gives a whole new dimension to a story generations have grown up with. While the familiar mischief remains, the film also opens the door to stories and characters that readers have only ever wondered about.                        

For America, bringing her character to life meant finding the balance between humor and the uncertainties of motherhood. Taking direction from filmmakers Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni, she approached the role with a particular kind of energy, one that was perhaps a little too enthusiastic for its own good.                        

“She’s trying to carry her kids through an uncertain time of change, so she has to compensate by being too upbeat. I had fun leaning into her goofiness,” America shared, describing how she found the voice of her character.                                                                         

“I always loved the last beat of the book: ‘What would you do if your mom asked you?’ Mom is a very important but absent character in the book, so I love that we get to understand more about who she is and then answer the question the end of the book poses,” she explained.                        

Giving Mom a story of her own shows a way to expand the familiar rainy-day adventure into something much deeper, offering audiences a chance to see the beloved classic from an entirely different perspective.                                                        

Still, what makes The Cat in the Hat worth revisiting after all these years? 

For America, its staying power lies in the very elements that made it so memorable in the first place: its rhythm, its rhymes, and, of course, a little bit of mischief.                        

“The language and rhyme make it so fun to read out loud for kids and adults. My kids love mischief and the feeling of risk. Every time we read it, we go on the emotional journey of not knowing if they’ll succeed in cleaning up the mess before mom gets home. Gets us every time,” she said.       

And perhaps that is precisely the charm of Dr. Seuss’ enduring classic. No matter how many times we’ve read it, the anticipation of what happens next never quite wears off. Now, with an animated reimagining, audiences get to experience that same childhood wonder all over again.                        

And if you happened to miss out on reading the book as a child, consider this your chance to catch up on a timeless classic, this time on the big screen.

With the cast featuring Bill Hader, America Ferrera, Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Paula Pell, Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, Bowen Yang, and Tituss Burgess, The Cat in the Hat promises a fresh adventure for both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.