Springfield Honors Dr. Seuss
   After years of planning, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial at the Quadrangle in Springfield, Massachusetts finally opened to the public on May 31, 2002. This unique sculpture garden features five bronze statues designed by Theodor Seuss Geisel's stepdaughter, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates. The beautiful sculptures include: Dr. Seuss working at his drawing board with the Cat in the Hat at his side; "Horton Court," a fun collection of Seuss characters pouring out of an open book; "The Storyteller," an oversized storytelling chair backed by a 10-foot tall book featuring the words from "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" with additional Dr. Seuss characters sprinkled about; the Lorax standing on a stump with an environmental warning "Unless;" and "Yertle Garden," a turtle tower featuring ten turtles from "Yertle the Turtle." The grand opening festivities featured a wide range of family activities including a parade, face painting, games, crafts, and storytelling sessions.

   In addition to exploring the sculpture garden, visitors can also stop by two museums at the Quadrangle to view Dr. Seuss-related exhibits. The Connecticut Valley Historical Museum is offering "The Seuss, The Whole Seuss and Nothing But the Seuss," a colorful exhibit with hundreds of objects, posters and memorabilia from Theodor Geisel's long career (June 1, 2002 to January 5, 2003). The Museum of Fine Arts is offering "Springfield Celebrates Seuss: The Making of the Dr. Seuss National Memorial," an exhibit containing original drawings, models, photographs, and a video documenting the evolution of the park.

For directions and more information about the Dr. Seuss National Memorial, please visit the following website: www.catinthehat.org and an interesting fan page www.seuss.org/seuss/
Dr. Seuss Biographer Shares Her Thoughts on Writing

With all of the excitement surrounding the opening of the new Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, the author of "Oh, the Places He Went: A Story about Dr. Seuss," has received a lot of attention, too. Maryann Weidt, a noted biographer for children, recently participated in the grand opening festivities in Springfield, Massachusetts on June 2, 2002. She read Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" to a large group of eager listeners and signed copies of her book. Although her biography was written in 1994, it still remains a popular choice among today's young readers ages 8 to 14, as well as adults. Weidt's honest portrait takes a close-up look at the life and works of Theodor Seuss Geisel and presents interesting stories about the man behind some of America's most original and memorable picture books.

In a recent interview, Maryann Weidt shared her thoughts about children's literature and the writing process.

Q: Why do you like writing biographies for children?
A: I like writing biographies because often I learn about a period in history that I somehow missed in school. I like writing for children because they're such an appreciative and discriminating audience. They're very insightful in the questions they ask when I visit schools. They help me learn about who I am.

Q: What's your favorite part of the writing process?
A: You might think that autographing the books would be the best part, but actually, finding the right word and the right sentence and the right paragraph is the best part. Odd as it may seem, doing the work is my favorite part.

Q: Describe the processes you go through when writing a typical book.
A: When writing a biography, I spend between a month and three months compiling the research. I generally collect way too much information, but it makes me feel secure to have too much rather than not enough. After I've done the research, I try to simply get the words into the computer. I tell myself that if I have words, I can play with them. So I just write the words. When I've finished the manuscript, I go back and read it aloud. This helps me hear the rhythm of the piece. If I stumble on a word when reading it out loud, I know that's a place I need to fix. I do this every day for several weeks. The largest part of writing is rewriting. Kids hate to hear this. They want their writing to be perfect just as it flows from their pens. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Every author rewrites. Dr. Seuss did. If you read my biography about him, then you know about his 'bone pile'.

Q: What or who has been the biggest influence on your writing?
A: I think my parents have been the biggest influence on my writing. Although they both had only eighth grade educations, they made sure that I graduated from college. I even went on to get a master's degree in library science.

Q: What three pieces of advice would you give today's young writers?
A: Read, read, read.

Q: What are your thoughts about the whole "Harry Potter" phenomenon?
A: I think it's great that children's books are receiving attention. I hope people will carry their love of Harry Potter over to other children's books. I urge parents to visit the library often with their children and ask the librarian for suggestions for their children's reading.

Q: How did you break into children's publishing?
A: It only took me three years of sending out a manuscript and receiving rejections to have my first book published. Persistence is the key word.

For more information about Maryann Weidt, please visit her website at www.weidt.com. Oh, The Places He Went: A Story about Dr. Seuss by Maryann N. Weidt, illustrations by Kerry Maguire, 1994, Carolrhoda Books, ISBN: 0-87614-823-2.


Interview provided by Debra Briatico. Debra is a freelance writer with college degrees in elementary education and gifted/talented education from the University of Connecticut. After working as a nursery school teacher, network director, book editor, and business owner, she now enjoys writing on a full-time basis. She likes collecting picture books, especially humorous ones with silly illustrations.








A Sampling of Seuss
Dr. Seuss wrote dozens of books for young readers. His humorous rhymes and pictures not only entertained generations of readers, but they also taught important lessons. Here is just a small sampling of his best works.

Bartholomew and the Oobleck
The Cat in the Hat
Fox in Socks
Green Eggs and Ham
Horton Hears a Who!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
The Lorax
Oh, The Places You'll Go!
There's a Wocket in My Pocket
Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose

Seuss Websites
There are a lot of websites devoted to Dr. Seuss and his books, but only two are worth checking out.
        www.eseuss.com
        www.randomhouse.com/seussville


Reviews of a few Dr. Seuss books:

The Lorax
Dr. Seuss
   In this classic story, the Once-ler describes how his greedy actions destroyed a beautiful and thriving environment. Children will enjoy the colorful characters and rhyming verse and adults will appreciate the subtle messages about the negative effects of deforestation, habitat destruction, and air and water pollution. 1971, Random House, $14.00, $15.99 and $14.99 (book and doll). Ages All. Reviewer: Debra Briatico
ISBN: 0-394-82337-0
ISBN: 0-394-92337-5

Awards, Honors, Prizes:
  • California Young Reader Medal Nominee 1976 Primary California


    The Big Brag
    Dr. Seuss
       As with most of his stories, Theodore Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, offers a morality lesson with a dollop of humor. Hare and Bear are declaiming their prowess at hearing and smelling--claiming that each is the best. Finally, a lowly worm pops up and through his ability to see around the world--Hare and Bear realize what fools they are. The drawings in Seussian style bring out the laughs. 1998 (orig. 1950), Random House, $7.99. Ages 2 up. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
    ISBN: 0-679-99149-2
    ISBN: 0-679-89149-8

    Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
    Dr. Seuss With some help from Jack Prelutsky & Lane Smith
       When Theodor Seuss Geisel died in 1991, he left behind an unfinished manuscript about a teacher he named Miss Bonkers. Janet Schulman had been his editor for eleven years and at first she didn't know what could be done with the fourteen pages of sketches and notes. When she realized that the basis of the story was a celebration of individuality and creative thinking, she decided to ask poet Jack Prelutsky and illustrator Lane Smith to finish the book. A section titled "How This Book Came To Be" contains background information and the original words and drawings. It is apparent from this that Prelutsky and Smith did more than finish the book. In a way, they collaborated with the beloved children's book writer, Dr. Seuss. It often seems unfair to publish a work the author never had a chance to rewrite and complete, and questionable to have another writer take over the job. However, this book works and children will enjoy the sing-song verse and the fanciful illustrations of the corridors and characters of Diffendoofer School. Dr. Seuss' drawings appear here and there and everywhere throughout the book as does his spirit. 1998, Alfred A. Knopf, $17.00. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford
    ISBN: 0-679-89008-4
    ISBN: 0-679-99008-9

    Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
    Dr. Seuss With some help from Jack Prelutsky & Lane Smith
       The teachers at Diffendoofer School educate with creative abandon and boundless joy until the principal announces that the students will have to take a standardized test. If they do not do well, the school will be torn down and they will have to go to Flobbertown. "Not Flobbertown!" we shouted,/ And we shuddered at the name,' For everyone in Flobbertown/ Does everything the same." Miss Bonkers calms her students, the school gets the highest test scores and the children learn happily ever after. This is the perfect gift for a teacher who gives the gift of real learning to a student. 1998, Knopf, $17.00 and $18.99. Ages 5 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
    ISBN: 0-679-89008-4
    ISBN: 0-679-99008-9

    Best Books:

  • Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • School Library Journal Book Review Stars, June 1998; Cahners; United States
    State Reading Lists:
  • Buckeye Children's Book Award, 2001; Ohio


    Reviews of Recent Books About Dr. Seuss

    Dr. Seuss  
    Jill Foran
        Most of us have been exposed to the books written by Dr. Suess-aka Theodore Seuss Geisel or Ted, but we may not know much about his life and how hard he worked top get his first book published. Foran gives young reader a glimpse into the life and work of Dr. Seuss. Including how his first story And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street was turned down by thirty publishers. Ted was a very bright young man who just didn't know what he wanted to do in life. He loved writing and drawing, but it did not seem like it would be a way to make a living. His time in advertising did lead to success and eventually his children's books lead to a rich an fulfilling life. In 1984 Theodore Seuss Geisel won a Pulitzer Prize for his great contribution to children's literature. His books are still in print and his birthday is celebrated with great fan fare and is part of NEA's Read Across America program. In addition to learning about his great author, kids learn about the writing and publishing process and how difficult it is to get a book published. His most popular books are featured on the end pages with good summaries, but not enough to keep anyone from reading and enjoying the books. I was happy to see my personal favorite, Horton Hatches the Egg, among those featured. The concluding sections offer creative writing tips, web sites and a quiz, writing terms, glossary and index. A delightful book about an American icon in children's literature, and one that kids and adults will enjoy reading. 2003, Weigl Publications, Ages 7 up, $18.20. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
    ISBN: 1-59036-028-1

    Dr. Seuss: Best-loved Author   
    Carin T. Ford
       This biography is in of the "People to Know" series. The first chapter is an overview of the life of Theodor Geisel, who is more commonly known as Dr. Seuss. Carin explains why she considers Geisel a "lucky man." We are guided through the life of Ted Geisel from his early years in Springfield, Massachusetts through his years at Dartmouth College and Oxford until he became a successful author. Although a good student in high school, Ted was satisfied with Bs. At Dartmouth College he was more interested in sketching than his classes. His work on the humor magazine, Jack-O-Lantern, reduced his grades to a C that first semester. However it was a platform for his drawings, and in his junior year Ted became the editor-in-chief of the magazine. In the army, Geisel made training films and drew political cartoons. His first children's book was And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. An arduous perfectionist, Geisel worked and reworked the words until they had the right flow and rhythm. In 1957, he published The Cat in the Hat for Houghton Mifflin. He was challenged to write a book using 220 words for beginning readers. He later announced "I feel my greatest accomplishment was getting rid of Dick and Jane and encouraging students to approach reading as a pleasure, not a chore." Students will really enjoy learning about Dr. Seuss. The author includes a timeline of his life and complete list of his books. 2003, Enslow Publishers, $20.95. Ages 8 to 12. Ann Sanger (Children's Literature)
    ISBN: 0-7660-2106-8

    Dr. Seuss
    Ann Graham Gaines
       A biography of Theodor Geisel, alias Dr. Seuss, ought to sparkle with the oddball wit and wacky imagination of this legendary children's author. Alas, this presentation is disappointingly dry. It begins with a story line spoiler for Green Eggs and Ham, and offers chapters about the early years, wartime and rise to fame periods of Seuss' life. Even the famous Flit episode is rendered drably chronological. The ending would be apt, if the beginning (the $50 bet that sparked the creation of Green Eggs) had been presented with a little more zip. Text sidebars highlight major points, and photographs provide illustration. It is part of the publisher's "Real-Life Readers" series--other titles include a range from Roald Dahl to Ricky Martin. A selected reading list, chronology and index are included. 2001, Mitchell House, $15.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami (Children's Literature)
    ISBN: 1-5841-5074-2

    The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss  
    Kathleen Krull
    Illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
        Kids who doodle when they are supposed to be doing something else will find redemption in the story of Ted Geisel's childhood. Geisel's doodles weren't appreciated when he was a child either; in fact he was mostly unappreciated as a child - he was teased in pre-World War I days for his German name, he was not athletic, his art teacher "scolded him for breaking rules" and "his usual instinct was to be awkward in public". With the encouragement of a favorite English teacher, Geisel was accepted at Dartmouth, where "he was clearly gifted, though no one knew at exactly what. It wasn't as if men could doodle for a living." Or could they? The story ends when Geisel is 22 living in Greenwich Village selling cartoons to The Saturday Evening Post under the name Dr. Seuss - Seuss was his middle name and his mother had always wanted him to be a doctor! Four pages of notes fill in the later details of Ted Geisel's life. His famous doodles fill the margins on every page. Unfortunately, the full page illustrations seem rather lifeless by comparison, though they do paint a warm picture of life in small town America in the early twentieth century. Overall, the book is a perfect reminder to teachers of how powerfully early experiences can shape our lives as adults and to kids that a favorite author was once a child himself. 2004, Random House, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Karen Leggett

        Kathleen Krull does a wonderful job of detailing the very ordinary childhood of a boy who grew up to be an extraordinary man. True to form, she throws in delicious details that grab the reader. An exaggerator, Ted's early penchant for "creative elaboration" turned out to be something positive; something he relied upon as an author/illustrator. Bearing the moniker, "Least Likely to Succeed," Geisel went on to great things. The backmatter is copious and the illustrations warm and alive. Original Seuss drawings are placed throughout the book to great effect while not overwhelming the marvelous artwork by Johnson and Francher. 2004, Random House, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Joan Kindig
    ISBN: 0-375-82298-4

    Dr. Seuss
    Stuart P. Levine
       This book is a biography of Theodore Geisel more widely known as Dr. Seuss. The book focuses mainly on the professional writing career of Dr. Seuss. His early life is mentioned in the first chapter so that the reader can understand some of his idiosyncrasies. The biography contains many anecdotes taken from other published articles about Dr. Seuss. The anecdotes were a nice addition; however, there were so many that it was difficult to find a stopping place in the story to read them. It is a factual account of an amazing personality and his contribution to children's literature over the years. This book would be helpful for students researching information about Dr. Seuss but probably wouldn't be something they would enjoy reading for pleasure. (Importance of) Nonfiction (813). Grades 6-12. 2001, Lucent Books, 112p, $24.95. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Christy Barnett (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 14, No. 2))
    ISBN: 1-5600-6748-9

    Dr. Seuss   
    Dana Meachen Rau
       These short "Rookie Biographies" are perfect for emergent readers. They feature people in the news as well as famous men and women of the past. The man known to millions as Dr. Seuss was really named Theodor Seuss Geisel. He loved to draw and tell stories and he worked on his college's newspaper and magazine. He was a cartoonist and adopted the pen name of Dr. Seuss to give himself more stature. His first book was written in 1936 while aboard a ship--And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street is still in print nearly 70 years later. He really hit the big time with his book The Cat in the Hat which changed the way children's books were written. Another book that was a real challenge was Green Eggs and Ham a story told in fifty different words. Some of his other books relayed important messages about conservation and caring for people. Before he died, he even wrote a book for adults. There is a pictorial words to know section at the end of the text, an index and a brief blurb about the author. Note the one photograph of the Cat in the Hat is a bit blurry. Also it is too bad that they put a black and white picture of Dr. Seuss on the cover which may not appeal to young readers. 2003, Children's Press, $19.00. Ages 5 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
    ISBN: 0-516-22593-6

    The Seuss, the Whole Seuss, and Nothing but the Seuss  
    Charles D. Cohen
    Even though my copy of this book arrived after Dr. Seuss' 100th birthday, it was still a wonderful experience to start turning the pages and read more about this great name in children's literature. The focus is a biographical look at the man, but it is a look through his art work. The author who never met Ted Geisel aka Dr. Seuss, is as the jacket flap notes "one of the world's foremost collectors of Seussiana. It is great fun to look at the illustrations that he drew as a kid, high school and college student and in the years before he ever published a children's book. Apparently Ted Gisel liked to make up stories about how his books came to be and where he got his ideas. Cohen in his book traces some of the ideas back to earlier illustrations that he did in advertising and for other publications. Some of the fanciful myths are debunked, but there is no escaping the genius of the man and his break with the traditional format of children's books. I doubt if anyone could ever imagine seeing all of these sketches, poems, puns, ads, calendars, comics, book jackets, photographs etc and many of the reproduction are beautifully done in full-color. I had no idea that Ted Geisel had done so much and that he had written under a variety of pseudonyms. This book will appeal to teachers, children's literature students and others who have grown up reading Dr. Seuss' books. It is not going to have any real appeal to the younger audience who are now reading his books. It is like a fine wine-sit down read a chapter savor it contents, think about the man described and what he did and then go back for more later. Let it rest on your coffee table and share it with others who share your love of children's literature. The endnotes and index are extensive as is the information between the covers. Let us hope that this collection will someday reside in a museum for future generations to enjoy. It did come with a poster and there is a reproduction on the back of NEA's Read Across America Teaching Activity Guide and other related activities. 2004, Random House, Ages Adult, $35.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
    ISBN: 0-375-82238-8

    Reviews of Some Other Biographies by Maryann Weidt:
    Voice of Freedom: A Story About Frederick Douglass
    Maryann N. Weidt Illustrations by Jeni Reeves
       Part of the "Creative Minds Biography" series for young readers, this volume focuses on Frederick Douglass, the great African-American writer and orator who played a vital role in the our country's anti-slavery movement during the mid-nineteenth century. Born a slave, he grew up facing hunger, backbreaking work and cruel physical punishment. After escaping slavery when he was twenty years old, Douglass wrote profusely and traveled widely to share his story and spread his antislavery message. Readers will be interested to learn about the work he did after the institution of slavery was abolished, when Frederick Douglass played a vital role in the struggle to win equal rights for women. 2001, Carolrhoda Books, $21.27. Ages 8 to 11. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree
    ISBN: 1-57505-459-0
    ISBN: 1-57505-553-8


    Revolutionary Poet: A Story About Phillis Wheatley
    Maryann N. Weidt Illustrations by Mary O'Keefe Young
       She was named after the slave ship, Phillis, which brought her to Boston, Massachusetts in 1761 and she died at the age of 31, yet Phillis Wheatley lived a live full of accomplishment, adventure and love. The family who bought her as a slave recognized her intellect and encouraged her to learn to read and helped support her writing of poetry. She traveled to London where she met Britain's elite as well as Benjamin Franklin, who offered to help in her publishing efforts. Phillis wrote of religion, everyday life and the Revolutionary War. She was set free in 1773, married and gave birth to three children. Her health was fragile and her life was filled with hardship but she persevered and was the first black American to publish a book. 1997, Lerner Pub, $18.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford
    ISBN: 1-57505-037-4
    ISBN: 1-57505-059-5


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    Updated 3/1/04