Theodore “Ted” Seuss Geisel

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on March National Read Across America Day. Entered Dartmouth College in the fall 1921 Lincoln College, Oxford Wrote first book in 1936, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street

“Even though Selma G. Lanes admires Seuss and praises his “inventiveness of language”, she also consistently refers to his verse as “doggerel”- Ruth K MacDonald Doggerel: is a derogatory term for verse considered of little literary value “Before he was Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel was a failed novelist.” “He isn’t often recognized as a poet.”

In the mid-1920s, Seuss lived for a time in Paris, where the likes of Hemingway, Joyce, and Stein -- writers who would forever change the face of literature with their innovations. After writing 46 children’s books I believe that most would agree Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel is a widely known writer, POET, and cartoonist. During his 53-year career, Dr. Seuss became one of the most beloved authors of children's books. His clever use rhyme, humor, and colorful illustrations continue to entertain and educate readers, young and old alike. His books have sold over 220 million copies and have been translated into 15 languages Dozens of his books have been animated and are widely available on video and DVD, including The Lorax, The Cat in the Hat, The Hoober Bloob Highway, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The playful narration in many of the videos is courtesy of the celebrity voices of John Cleese, Dustin Hoffman, and Billy Crystal, among others I have yet to meet a literate English speaker who doesn’t have some clear memory of a Dr. Seuss book. In fact, most of those who recall their initial engagement with Seuss will describe it as an especially memorable or even formative reading experience.

“Poetry helps broaden children’s experiences with new concepts and provides fresh outlooks on the ordinary things that surrounded them, making poetry a perfect complement to content area subjects” -Denise Johnson

Quotes: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." "I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living." "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." "You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." "A person's a person, no matter how small." "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." "In my world, everyone's a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!" "We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." "You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!"