Dr Seuss, also known as Theodor Seuss Geisel (pron.: /ˈɡaɪzəl/; March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991), is one of my favorite picture book author/illustrator. If you'd like to read an online encyclopedia entry about him, click: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_seuss.
The first time I heard about him was from a childhood book whose title I still remember as "There's a Wocket in my Pocket". I had no idea what a "wocket" was until somebody told me it is just a made up word to rhyme with "pocket".
I recall that I asked what kind of doctor is Dr Seuss. Someone told me that is just his pretend name. I guess I understood that than anyone telling me that is his pseudonym or nom de plume.
My Mom bought us his other books. My favorite among the bunch was "Mr Brown Can Say Moo! Can You?" I love it that Dr Seuss can put sounds into words with a fantastic entertaining rhyme scheme.
When I read stories to children, my favorite Dr Seuss tale to read aloud is "Green Eggs and Ham". We all enjoyed the pages where Sam I Am does everything he can to convince the other guy to eat some green eggs and ham. The suspense was killing us when he had a bite in slow motion.
The last book of Dr Seuss, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!", was a beautiful way for Mr Geisel to express his last colorful piece. It was like a diploma that marked the completion of the fun and lessons he taught us. He offers amazing advice to all the graduates ranging from Pre-schools to Universities and beyond. Thanks to this book, I will always remember that Life is a Great Balancing Act.
An interesting trivia I was informed was, "Seuss" really rhymes with "voice". Most of us thought that it rhymes with "goose". I guess Dr Seuss is just as memorable as Mother Goose.
Thank you for the life and works you shared with us, Mr Geisel. You are one of the few writers that write words beyond the limits of an unabridged english dictionary. I appreciate your example as the one who thinks beyond the box.
:-( -> :-| -> :-)
DL
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"Let us rise up and be thankful; for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so let us all be thankful."
--Buddha
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