Confession time. The character of Yertle wasn't original to this story, and nor was the idea of stacking turtles. Seuss first got all turtle stacky in a 1942 editorial cartoon for New York newspaper, PM, drawing a bunch of turtles in a V for victory formation.

Yertle is Hitler… and most of Dr. Seuss's books are actually about much bigger things than they seem. Marvin K. Mooney as Richard Nixon? Yes, please. (Source.)

What's the best way to get in trouble with your school district when your union is in the middle of labor talks? Quote Dr. Seuss, of course! That's right, Yertle the Turtle: BANNED.

Did you know that before Seuss was a champion for environmentalism and fighting the powers that be, he worked for Standard Oil? In fact, he penned one of their most iconic catchphrases: "Quick, Henry, the Flit!" (Source.)