It’s Dr. Seuss’s birth-ish date,
so let us stop and celebrate
a man who made us all feel better
than a Sneetch’s favorite yakhair sweater.
You taught us not to think so small, sir,
and made our hearts two sizes taller!
Theodor Seuss Geisel – March 2, 1904
Click on any image to enlarge it, or to begin slide show
Happy birthday! 🥳 I’m just now discovering his books 😊
When you got a grade! You threw off hats like that Mitch! Like it. The 🐠 poem was so beautifully written
Thank you, Ramani!
Here’s a terrific story about how he became Dr. Seuss: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/podcast/entertainment/becoming-dr-seuss-the-making-of-an-american-imagination-born-1904
Thanks, Joy!
I remember quite clearly the delight of my children when they first met Dr. Seuss.
Gwen.
When my youngest daughter struggled with her dyslexia, I had her read Dr. Suess books. I had heard that it helps. I’m not sure how or why but it did help her to fall in love with reading.
How cool, Andi.
Rhyme reaches parts of the brain accessible in very few other ways.
True
Some deep stuff from a “children’s author”. I love children’s books . Did you hear about the attack on Dahl?
Are you referring the recent changes made to the wording in his books, PK?
Yes . I heard they wanted to modernize his books. The ones I’ve read didn’t need changing.
Actually, it seems to be about the Roald Dahl Story Company (owned by Netflix) and Puffin children’s books’ removal of “language related to race, gender, weight, and mental health that today’s readers might deem offensive.” There’s been quite a lot of anti-censorship push-back about it.
if seuss passed away & he returned in a couple of years after death would he re age
Oh, the Places that you will go!
I learned to read from The Cat in the Hat from my English teacher dad when I was four. I didn’t realize it was the year it came out. Dad and Dr. Seuss were ahead of their time, for sure. And YES, I like green eggs and ham!
;>)
One of the coolest things about becoming a parent was reading Dr. Seuss again and falling in love all over again with his books! Neat to see your favorite kids books as an adult.
Yes!
There is so much wisdom in Dr. Seuss books! And for a children’s author, for any author, or for any historical figure-he gave us so many memorable quotes, and so many poignant passages, and so many great ways to show kindness to others. Thanks, for reminding us, Mitch.
I totally agree with you. And, not many realize, he did most of it in the very same dreaded iambic pentameter in which we write our most abstruse Elizabethan sonnets. A truly towering genius.
I know this sounds kinda know-it-all-y, but… Actually, Geisel mostly wrote in tetrameter, four beats per line (pentameter is five beats per line). And, although he sometimes used iambs (ba-DA), he also used trochees (BA-da), and particularly liked amphibrachs (ba-DA-da).
Wowie! I bow to your definitely more careful reading of his works. I wrote a very long story poem once in iambic pentameter which struck both myself and an audience member as being “Dr. Seuss for grownups.” Now I’ll have to go reread his stuff so I can figure out where we got the impression. Thanks for the clari-tea 👌✨
;>)
The kindergartners at the school where I taught 22 years made green eggs and ham on Dr. Seuss’s birthday each spring. I’m glad I didn’t teach kindergarten.
;>)
Mitch, I love this tribute and every picture/quote/creation! Yesterday I read my book to a class and celebrated Dr. Seuss Day. He was such a brilliant man. I attribute much of my teaching fun and my own love for writing to him! Thank you for this post, dear friend!
I think it’s so cool that you read your book to classes, Karla!
Thank you, Mitch! Last year I was on a “roll” getting to schools. It made my heart so happy to get back to one! 💚
Wow, some great words of wisdom here!
I love your wonderful Dr. Seuss post. It was just what I needed — some cheer!
Whoops — This is Ann at When the River Won’t Flow!
Hi Ann. Can you post a link to your blog here? Thanks!
Oh, these are all so marvelous!! He really was a unique and wise man!! Thank you for these!
I still remember reading Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham when I was a kid in the dinosaur age. I was enthralled.
Never gets old!
Some years ago I heard a comedian tell a joke about soldiers who were given Spam in their field rations. It went on for quite some time, and ended with a soldier leaving the army saying, “I do not like grenades and spam.”
Okay, maybe you had to be there…
Funny!
It was when he told it. 🙂
I’m still reading his books to my preschoolers. I only wish his books would have been learn to read books when I was a child.
Hi great stories to read. 😀
Thank you, Lisa.