This year we celebrate a real milestone in the world of Dr. Seuss - his 100th birthday on March 2, 2004. Wow - 100 years! Born Theodore Geisel, Dr. Seuss as we know him best, was a prolific children's author and one that just about every reader is familiar with.
Says the NEA biography of Theodore Geisel, "Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1984 and three Academy Awards, Geisel authored and illustrated 44 children's books. His enchanting stories are available as audiocassettes, animated television specials, and videos."
100 years is certainly an event to celebrate, and readers around the world are doing just that. The Seussentennial is being celebrated in classrooms and libraries and museums. Why don't you join them?
I started thinking about my favorite Seuss book last weekend while attending a baby shower for a friend's daughter, who is also a teacher. Along with the usual baby gifts she got a number of books for her newborn, and it got my friend Terry and me started reminiscing about favorite Seuss stories. There are so many that it is hard to choose just one. There is a comprehensive list of all of Dr. Seuss's books and character here: http://www.primate.wisc.edu/people/hamel...
On the list are 54 books starting with And to Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street published in 1938 to his last published work, I Am Not Going To Get Up Today! published in 1987. In between are some of the most beloved children's books ever published. I had an "ah-ha" moment of recognition on countless occasions while researching this article - each time remembering a Dr. Seuss that I'd forgotten!! What a trip down memory lane!
One of my favorites is one of his earliest, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. This great story tells of young Bartholomew's encounter with King Derwin, the ruler of Didd and his attempts to convince King Derwin that he IS removing his hat! The visual impact of the drawings, along with Dr. Seuss's trademark rhyming, makes for a wonderful story - especially to read aloud. I shared this book with my students in every grade I taught, from first to fifth, and they all loved it!
Another that I love is The Lorax. I used this one in conjunction with my ecology units with great success. I can still see that Lorax, speaking for the trees - we need him around today, I think.
 |
 |
 |
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Irene Taylor's Tips for Teachers topic, please visit the Discussions page.