Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss was born Theodor Seuss Geisel on March 2nd 1904. Today is his  birthday and also part of Read Across America that attempts to get young people reading. Dr. Seuss is an author and cartoonist that has written over 60 books. There has been  a total of 600 million books sold that has been translated in 20 languages around the world. However, it has not always been easy for Dr. Seuss.

During the life of Dr. Seuss he has worked at advertising for companies such as Standard Oil company. Political Cartoons created by Dr. Seuss would be shared in papers during World War II. The work that went into his first book was met with many denials. The Book And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street was rejected a total of 37 times. Finally in 1937 because he was persistant and kept trying and one of his old friends became the editor for a book company the book was made it would be the first of over 60

It all began that day as many more books would follow, In the meantime Dr. Seuss would share political cartoons during World War II. 

The book The Cat in the Hat would be published in 1957 by Random House after Geisel read and responded to an article that was in LIFE magazine. In the article children's reading levels were criticized. Houghton Mifflin and Random House asked if he could write a children's primer that had 220 vocabulary words. 

At about the same time Dr. Seuss would write a book about a cranky, solitary creature that would attempt to steal Christmas from the town of Whoville. Yes, that is right the book How the Grinch stole Christmas book would be published by Random House. In 1966 the book would be adapted into a movie and has been adapted many times since then. 

In 1991 Geisel famed as being Dr. Seuss would pass away. His ashes would be scattered in the Pacific Ocean. Thank you Dr. Seuss for bringing your wisdom and talent to create books and characters that would shine for many years.