Theodor Seuss Geisel

Dr. Seuss with some of his drawings (http://newarklibrary.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/drseuss.jpg)

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” This is one of the most famous quotes of a children’s author by the name of Theodor Seuss Geisel, more commonly known as Dr. Seuss. In many ways, Dr. Seuss could be considered a hero for his life story, entertaining reads, and inspiring work.

Dartmouth College (jacksonhouse.com)

Nationally renounced children’s book author, Dr. Seuss, grew up an average person and followed his dream to become extraordinary. While he attended Dartmouth College, he became editor and chief of Dartmouth’s humor magazine, the Jack- O- Lantern. One night the cops busted Seuss and his friends for hosting a drinking party, and he was fired from the newspaper, though still submitting work under the name of Seuss. This was the first known record use of Seuss. While later attending Oxford University, he found a job working as a cartoon writer for several newspapers, and among his classes met his first wife, Helen Palmer. When Helen died, he soon remarried to an old friend named Audrey Geisel, the president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. In 1991, Seuss died of jaw cancer.

The heroism of Dr. Seuss is found in his ability to write books that entertain children of all ages. One of his colleagues stated, "He revolutionized how children learned to read, and so we knew the celebration had to equal the passion people have for his books." The way children wanted to read kept them going and motivated more reading in their lives. He wrote for enjoyment of children as well as adults. Seuss has won numerous children’s awards “For his contribution over nearly half a century to the education and enjoyment of America's children and their parents is truly amazing.” Seuss wrote to inspire and for entertainment, not to become rich or a big corporate big- wig. He wrote to throw imagination into children who hated reading and inspire everyone in whatever they did.

Dr. Seuss is an inspiration because he kept others striving for their best. “For those of us who worked with him, he taught us to strive for excellence in all the books we published." The inspiration that he gives others will last longer than his lifetime. He was living proof that persistence pays off “Getting the first book that he both wrote and illustrated, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, published. However, it required a great degree of persistence - it was rejected 27 times before being published by Vanguard Press.” Seuss saw his talents and kept with his dream, rather than becoming a professor at Oxford, like his father wanted him to be. “He received no formal training in art, and he wrote and illustrated his first book to amuse himself.” He could have easily taken a job as a great professor, but he recognized his talents and really loved his work with a passion.

Seuss at his desk (howard.k12.md.us)

Seuss’s ability to create a world where many children could enjoy and quietly learn moral lessons from their books is incredible. Imagine a world without Seuss, his rhymes, or creative drawings. Wouldn’t children have disliked reading long chapters, and plain verse? Seuss is a hero for inspiring others, his entertaining books, and his life here.