Though written in the style of previous books such as Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

A young boy, referred to simply as "you", initiates the action of the story; the presence of a main character helps readers to identify with the book.

The story begins with the narrator, relating the decision of the unnamed protagonist (who represents the reader) to leave town.

As the protagonist continues to explore, spurred on by the thoughts of places he will visit and things he will discover, the book cheerfully concludes with an open ending.

This made Dr. Seuss one of the handful of authors to have number one Hardcover Fiction and Nonfiction books on the list; among them are John Steinbeck, Jimmy Buffett, Mitch Albom and James Patterson; his You're Only Old Once!

[10] In 2016, former Star Trek writer David Gerrold partnered with artist Ty Templeton and Glenn Hauman's website ComicMix for a Kickstarter for a parodic book entitled Oh, the Places You'll Boldly Go!

[11] In March 2019, Sammartino similarly found in favor of ComicMix on the issue of copyright, ruling that the book was protected under Fair Use,[12] because its authors borrowed "no more than was necessary for their purposes" and those elements "were always adapted or transformed" and "imbued with a different character".