Project 236.....

Theodore S. Geisel was born on March 2, 1904 on Howard Street in Springfield Massachusetts.  To all of us he is better known as the beloved Dr. Seuss.   His first children’s book was published in 1937.  And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street was a labor of love and a model of persistence as it was rejected over 25 times before finally being published.  At the time of his death in 1991 he had illustrated and written 44 books, many of which remain favorites of both children and adults.  Today, March 3, is Read Across America Day.

Dr. Seuss may best be remembered for his book The Cat in the Hat.  What many may not know is how the book came into being.  Geisel, in response to an article in Life magazine, accepted a challenge to write a children’s book that was brightly colored and visually stimulating in direct contrast to the bland primary readers used in the classrooms at the time.  He used just 236 words (sight words) from an elementary vocabulary list and took over nine months to complete the book.  What resulted was arguably one of the most influential primary readers to have ever been published.  It literally changed the way reading was presented in the classroom. 

In the spirit of the day, we have a special Story Time with Zoë.  Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?  

 

 

Played: 255 | Download | Duration: 00:05:08

 

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!



Langniappe:  Check out the NEA website for scads of information on how to celebrate reading with your child today and throughout the year.  Also, check out Seussville.  It's pretty cool, too.

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Posted by Zoe's Dad at Monday, March 03, 2008 9:28 AM and is filed under Childrens Books,Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss,Story Time with Zoe,NEA,Mr. Brown Can Moo,Read Across America,Dr. Seuss
 
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  • Monday, March 03, 2008 1:04 PM amy wrote:
    I remember learning about Dr. Seuss in my Children's Lit class in college. I think getting the background on all these well known authors is really interesting.
    1. Wednesday, March 05, 2008 5:22 PM Zoe's Dad wrote:
      Definitely makes them a bit more personable.  And I think you enjoy the story more.
  • Monday, March 03, 2008 3:59 PM Jeff wrote:
    I don't know who liked the Dr. Seuss stuff more when my kids were little - me or them. I still quote various phrases from those books on a regular basis, but then I'm nothing but a big kid anyway.

    "Young cat if you keep your eyes open enough, oh the things you will learn, the most wonderful stuff!"
    1. Wednesday, March 05, 2008 5:24 PM Zoe's Dad wrote:
      My personal favorite--"Today is gone.  Today was fun.  Tomorrow will be another one......and fun is good."
  • Tuesday, March 04, 2008 3:37 AM Whit wrote:
    Yea, Suess and Zoe!
    1. Wednesday, March 05, 2008 5:26 PM Zoe's Dad wrote:
      All the kids are having fun with this.  I need to get Zane reading Fox in Sox.  Good times.

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