Read Across America Day

In honor of Dr. Seuss the 8th grade students came over from the middle school to read with us.  The 4th grade students enjoyed reading with the older students and hope that they can return the favor when they are in middle school.  We were surprised to see so many different Dr. Seuss books.  For fun Dr. Suess facts Click Here.

Real name: Theodor (Ted) Seuss Geisel

He was an American of German immigrant parents.

His father ran a brewery.

Ted went to Oxford University in England but never completed his degree.

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was originally a poem inspired by the rhythm of the ship's engines on a return voyage to Europe in 1937.

Ted was not only an author, he was also a cartoonist, animator, book publisher and artist.

He wrote under many pen names including Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg (Geisel spelled backwards), Rosetta Stone and Theophrastus Seuss.

His most famous books are The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham,One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Fox in Socks and Horton Hears a Who!

Dr Seuss never had children of his own.

Seuss Landing is an homage to Seuss, located at the Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Florida.

Seuss wrote most of his books in a style using the 'anapestic tetrameter', a poetic meter using four rhythmic units of two weak beats followed by a strong beat.

Geisel's early artwork used shaded pencil and watercolour, but for his children's books, pen and ink using black and white and just one or two other colours, was his prefered choice.

The books of Dr Seuss have sold over 222 million copies and have been translated into 15 languages. 

One of the trademarks of his artwork is 'no straight lines'.

He Coined the Word “Nerd”

Under the name Ted Geisel, Seuss teamed up with pal and ‘Looney Tunes’ legend Chuck Jones in 1966 for an animated adaptation of ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’ A holiday classic now, the special wasn’t particularly well-received at the time of its debut. But annual TV showings have made it one of the most popular Christmas specials of all time.

He Wrote ‘Yertle the Turtle’ About Hitler

He Wanted Kids to Start Reading Early

The Cat in the Hat’ Killed Off Dick and Jane

Green Eggs and Ham’ Was the Result of a Bet

In 1960, Bennett Cerf, Seuss’ editor, bet Seuss he couldn’t write a book using only 50 words. The resulting story was ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ which uses exactly 50 words. Appearing in this order, they are: I am Sam; that; do not like; you green eggs and ham; them; would here or there; anywhere; in a house with mouse; eat box fox; car they; could; may will see tree; let me be; train on; say the dark; rain; goat; boat; so try may; if; good; thank. We could not say that five times fast. Would not, could not.