The Doctor is ‘In:’ Dr. Seuss remains one of the world’s favorite children’s storytellers

Kirk Baird

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 | 8:19 a.m.

See Spot.

See Spot run.

Run, Spot, run.

See Spot get bored.

That's the way much of children's beginning literature was before Dr. Seuss came along.

"When we went to school they gave us the 'Dick and Jane' series. It wasn't very demanding," said John Irsfeld, chairman of the English department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "And the illustrations were all kind of pastel. There was nothing but white kids, of course. Then, they didn't wear bright colors."

Fortunately for Irsfeld and countless other children bored silly by those types of books, Theodor Geisel came along.

The former political cartoonist and illustrator was so put out with the state of children's books of the mid-20th century, he was inspired to write his own.

Using his middle name, Seuss, Geisel's effort, "The Cat in the Hat," was published in 1957. Nearly 50 years later it inspired a major motion picture by the same name, which topped last weekend's box office despite its universal panning by critics.

Filled with whimsical rhymes and bright, daffy illustrations, "The Cat in the Hat" book was the antithesis of the typically staid, antiseptic books for young readers of the time.

While it wasn't Geisel's first children's book, it was a turning point for the author and for children's literature.

"It was a milestone," said Susan Brandt, vice president of licensing and marketing for Dr. Seuss Enterprises in a phone interview from La Jolla, Calif. "He changed the way children's books were written."

If the numbers are any indication, the change has been well received.

The 44 children's books Geisel wrote and illustrated have sold 500 million copies worldwide, and he is one of the largest-selling authors of children's books in history.

In 1984 Geisel received the Pulitzer Prize for his contributions to children's literature.

"They're quality books. They're exceptionally written, beautifully illustrated and carry wonderful messages," Brandt said. "Ted Geisel was generous and consistently able to deliver quality books for children. I think that's why they still resonate. As a child you enjoy them and as an adult you can appreciate them.

But it's not just critical plaudits and sales numbers that testify to the enduring quality of Dr. Seuss, who died in 1991 of cancer at the age of 87.

Nearly a half-century after the good doctor debuted, Geisel's books remain an invaluable way to reach children.

"Dr. Seuss is very effective for teaching children," said Gwen Baccus, a first grade teacher at Kay Carl Elementary School in Las Vegas. "Because we are first grade we need books that repeat the same sounds so kids will find success reading."

Plus, the imaginative drawings and phrases enrapture young minds.

"Dr. Seuss used his imagination and takes the children on a journey of their own imaginations," she said. "They're able to take his great ideas and create their own."

Baccus said she, along with her teaching partner, Shannon Rooney, include several Seuss books in their class curriculum: "Cat in the Hat," "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back," "Horton Hears a Who!," "Fox in Socks" and "Green Eggs and Ham."

"Someone reading a book to you (can) become quite boring because it's so slow. That's why books Dr. Seuss wrote are so important. They give you a place to go with your imagination. That's why it lasts so long and it doesn't go out of style."

The works of Dr. Seuss are also popular choices at Las Vegas libraries.

For example, one copy of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at the Sahara West Library has been checked out 57 times in the last year a half.

And with the holiday season, it's even more difficult to find.

Less seasonal but just as popular is "Green Eggs and Ham."

A recent copy purchased 18 months ago has been checked out 13 times.

"That basically means for every time it comes in it goes out again," said Robbin Gaebler, head of the children's department of the Sahara West Library.

"You would think they would wear off after a while but they are very popular. His books seem to be universal in their appeal with generation after generation."

Think Dr. Seuss, and children's books leap to mind. But, of course, the Seussian reach stretches much further than children's literature.

Geisel wrote the controversial "The Butter Battle Book" in 1984 in response to the growing arms buildup between the United States and the Soviet Union.

And in 1986 he published "You're Only Old Once!," described as "a book for obsolete children" that humorously addresses the health-related pitfalls of growing old.

There are the award-winning cartoons "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Horton Hears a Who!," which received Peabody Awards for television specials.

Before "The Cat in the Hat," Hollywood adapted "The Grinch" to the big screen, earning $260 million in the process, making it the top film of 2000.

Seuss has also been marketed in innumerable ways -- everything from computer games and towels to Cat in the Hat hats and a section, Seuss Landing, at Universal Studio's Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Fla.

On March 2 the U.S. Postal Service will debut its Theodor Seuss Geisel stamp to commemorate what would have been Geisel's 100th birthday.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises, which was founded by Geisel's widow, Audrey, in 1993, is also planning a yearlong celebration of the century milestone, which it has dubbed the "Seussentennial: A Century of Imagination."

Among the events are a national touring art retrospective and a reading tour going to libraries, schools, book retailers and children's museums in 100 U.S. cities. Neither tour is scheduled for Las Vegas.

There are also two biographies in the works: one aimed at children, one aimed at adults.

Both books attempt to reveal the man behind the Seuss.

"Everyone has their own image of what the the author was like," Brandt said. "He was who he was. Kind of shy, incredibly gifted and he loved children."

And children love Geisel as well.

Rebecca and Emily Dieterich, 7-year-old twins in first grade at Kay Carl Elementary School, said they both enjoy the Dr. Seuss books.

"I just like the stories. They're pretty neat," Rebecca said.

Emily added: "I like it because it's really neat and they're crazy characters."

Their classmate, MacKenzie Rooney, 6, concurred.

"The rhyming words are very good," she said.

Even parents seem to prefer Dr. Seuss over most children's books authors.

"I love Dr. Suess," said Darby Dieterich, mother of Rebecca and Emily. "They're fun books to read to kids. It's not just monotonous from one page to the next, where you're thinking, 'When is it going to be over?' It's enjoyable from one page to the next and I get a giggle out of it."

Just what the doctor ordered.