What are the Yooks and the Zooks so afraid of? Butter? Seriously?
Yep. The Yooks just don't understand why the Zooks butter the bottom of their bread.
The Yooks could confront this fear by learning about the unknown ("Hey, Zooks, what's up with your buttering strategy?"), but instead, they let the fear consume them. And if we're reading the same book, we're pretty sure that doesn't end well. The Cold War was a time filled to the brim with fear, and Seuss captures this mood perfectly in The Butter Battle Book.
Questions and Answers
Q: What's so scary about the Zooks?
A: You know, we're not so sure. We'd actually like to see someone who buttered their bread on the bottom—sounds messy and cool. But here's the thing. We've all met people who are different than us, right? Unlike the Yooks, we're just better at learning about the difference instead of, you know, starting a war.
Q: What do you think the young Yook should do at the end?
A: Good question. And you know what? I think Dr. Seuss might be asking you that question. So what do you think?
Q: Are people still afraid like in the Cold War?
A: Don't think about that one until you're a little older.