Dr. Seuss Influence

Born in 1904, Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, is perhaps one of the most beloved children’s authors of the twentieth century. Although he is most famous as an author of children’s books, Geisel was also a political cartoonist, advertisement designer, and film director. He used the power of imagination to produce unforgettable children’s books and helped solve the problem of illiteracy among America’s children. By using his experiences in life as a foundation for most of his books, Theodor Geisel was able to shape the character of many of his readers, as well as teach children subliminal messages through a unique writing style that incorporated various elements and techniques. Through a few of his books,

Through the years, many parents have read the children's book The Cat in the Hat to their kids. Written by Theodore Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is a lively and wonderful book to read to children. No only that, but also it helps teach children about right and wrong through fun and exciting characters. But many kids and parents alike are missing a piece of the puzzle. Not only is The Cat in the Hat a fun-to-read children's book, but it is also a play on the Freudian psyche.

“Rain, the tears of Heaven” is a popular explanation of rainfall by parents to their children. When children’s mental capabilities are not developed and mature enough to digest complex concepts, whether scientific or historical, adults often replace the facts with simplified stories. In “A Barred Owl” and “The History Teacher,” the poets present the idea that adults always attempt to shield their children from the danger of the outside world. The former speaker employs onomatopia to facilitate children to overcome fear, and the latter euphemizes the cruelty of warfare. However, while the former adopts a playful tone and style to “domesticate fear” (Wilbur 8), the latter aims to “protect… innocence” in a sarcastic tone (Collins 1), resulting

Seuss stories, this play used mentioned before elements to mask the seriousness of his works. One of the songs that were song several times throughout the play, the refrain even appears on the playbill, was centered on the idea that “a person’s a person, no matter how small!” (Program Notes. Seussical the Musical. Alhambra. Jacksonville, FL. 7/11/2015.) In the play, Horton the Elephant hears the miniature townsfolk of Whoseville yelling for help on a spec of dust. He treats them with respect and attempts to help them while being manipulated by a Mayzie the Bird to watch he egg, attacked by the monkeys who steal his flower holding the spec of dust, and laughed at by the rest of the animals in the jungle. The message here is simple, that all humans, with no exceptions, should be treated with decency and

“ I do not like green eggs and ham I do not like them Sam-I-Am.” These famous words not only started my childhood but many children’s childhood. Theodore Seuss Geisel or most commonly known as Dr. Seuss was born on March 2, 1994 and from there the world was changed. Theodore Geisel is a charismatic man who put his lively personality into his fun and lighthearted books like Green Eggs and Ham, The classic Cat in the Hat, and the iconic How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Geisel is thought to be one of the best children’s book authors. “For most people the thought of growing up in a world without Green Eggs and Ham, Grinches, and Cats in Hats is barely conceivable” (Levine 10). Children throughout the world have grown up with the wonderful books created by “Dr. Seuss”. “These odd creations occupy a special place in the earliest memories of children around the world” (Levine 10). He has been able to not only capture their minds but their hearts as well. Geisel’s colorful imagination, upbeat rhymes, and unique illustrations seem to have no limits. He has written books that range from simply humorous to impressively insightful. This has contributed greatly in him selling more than 200 million copies. To many “Dr. Seuss is by far the best-selling children’s author to date, and perhaps the most beloved” (Levine

Oh, the exhaustive ways to interpret the expansive wonderland of creativity that is the mind of Dr. Seuss. Most known for his beloved children’s books, Theodor Seuss Geisel, or more commonly, the one and only Dr. Seuss, has contributed to the education of youth for close to 80 years. This includes even after his death, through the continuing legacy of his books. The books have also made him a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. Their widely successful movie adaptations, such as The Cat in the Hat or an even better example, How the Grinch Stole Christmas which has become a holiday franchise of its own, help to carry the stories of Seuss into the 21st century. However, looking through youthful eyes at the bright colorful cartoons and marveling at the silly rhymes and ridiculous made up words; it is easy to overlook some of the deeper controversial messages that can be found in Seuss’ seemingly simple stories. Literary criticisms suggest that Seuss was actually a profound political and social activist, expressing his views on the real world through the stories of his own outlandish one. An example of this can be found within the story of The Sneetches published in 1961 from which, two opposing interpretations have arisen. Both of these interpretations hold larger messages of criticisms against human nature and social conduct. Through the fantastical story of plain and

Dr. Seuss is probably the American writer who has so far had the greatest impact on children's literature. The intelligent usage of vivid illustrations, imaginative characters, and catchy rhymes made it easy for people who grew up reading these stories to recognize them. However, although the author worked tirelessly at his craft, he is not well-known since he did not seek after personal fame. Most of the fans to his literary materials are not well conversant with the details of his private life. For instance, most people are not aware that Dr. Seuss was not a doctor, but simply added the prefix to his pseudonym to provide credibility to the menagerie of characters in his works (Thompson 21). He worked as a writer and a cartoonist, publishing nearly more than sixty books. Some of the most famous pieces of his work include “Green Eggs and Ham” and the “The Cat in the Hat.”

Even though Dr. Seuss was voted “least likely to succeed” (“Grahame-Smith” 14) in college he quickly proved everyone wrong. He was widely known for his great books written for children. “Many of his books were initially composed of his sketches”(“Dr. Seuss” St. James). Dr. Seuss successfully wrote and illustrated sixty books for children (“Dr. Seuss” Biography). Dr. Seuss was able to impact the lives of many people with his constant hard work and creativity.

Dr. Seuss I took an unconventional approach in the topic I chose for my reading assignment – whereas most groups selected single novels, my partner and I opted to read a collection of short stories by none other than the notorious Dr. Seuss. Were I writing this essay on a “normal” book, I would be able to pose a question about the book itself and answer it in an ordinary sort of way. However, given the subject matter I have chosen, an essay on an individual book, though possible, would be a very tricky thing to do. It would be wiser, and probably easier, to respond to the man himself. My decision to respond to the man himself makes many more choices – what facet of Dr. Seuss shall I ask myself questions about? I think

“Theodor Seuss Geisel.” Major Authors and Illustrators for Children and Young Adults, Detroit, Gale, 2002. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1617001313/BIC1?u=bato77293&xid=1c58127a. Accessed 23 Jan.

Branded as Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel and his many works are beloved by children and adults alike. His creations such as The Cat in the Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! turned him into today’s superstar author for beginning readers (Pascal, 2011). Dr. Seuss is notorious for his wacky words and rhyming rhythms, but often forgotten for his work in the political world. He has received many honors in his lifetime, including the Laura Ingles Wilder Award (Elementary Children’s Literature). He also has an award, the Geisel Award, created in his honor for beginning readers books (ALSC, 2016).

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, is perhaps one of the most beloved children’s authors of the twentieth century. Although he is most famous as an author of children’s books, Geisel was also a political cartoonist, advertisement designer, and film director (Kaplan). He used the power of imagination to produce unforgettable children’s books and helped solve the problem of illiteracy among America’s children. By using his experiences in life as a foundation for most of his books, Theodor Geisel created a unique writing style that incorporated various elements and techniques, enabling his books to appeal to people of all ages.

Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! - “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose” (Goodreads). This quote was in a book by a once-lost soul that did not know what was to come of his life. This is ironic because Dr. Seuss became an outstanding and excellent writer and illustrator, even after questioning what he was going to become. Although he was lost, Seuss never gave up on himself, others, or his creativity. Theodor Seuss Geisel, pseudonym of Dr. Seuss, was a very famous American children’s author and poet that made his mark on the world.

The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss, pseudonym of Theodor Seuss Geisel, tells a story of two children at home on a rainy day alone, being visited by the Cat in the Hat and the turmoil that he causes. The Cat In The Hat is clearly Geisel’s most famous book, written in 1956 and published in 1957, considered a children’s classic today. It was The Cat In The Hat “where Dr. Seuss jubilantly breaks the barriers of the basal reader’s simplistic language and pedestrian artwork” (MacDonald 10). In The Cat In The Hat, Geisel uses this childish language and comical pictures as well as an interesting story and fun characters to not only create a successful children’s book but to deliver a subtle political message of rebellion against authority.