A New Look for Dr. Suess

-Jamie Hershman

When I was a child, bedtime stories always included Dr. Seuss’ lyrical and whimsical tales. I was fascinated with the colorful drawings on each page and the way the words just flowed in a perfect, yet fun, rhyme. Dr. Seuss allowed me (and thousands of other children) to lose myself in a fantasy world of made up creatures and places.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, known more famously as Dr. Seuss, originally worked as an artist for an advertising agency, but eventually moved to children’s writing. Dr. Seuss’ first children’s book, And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street, was published in 1937, and one of his most famous books, The Cat in the Hat, was published in 1957.

Dr. Seuss’ books were just as popular in the 1970s as they were the 1990s. But with the advancement of technology in the 21st century, reading has become second place to electronics such as the computer and TV. Children are reading less because there are other interactive options. They are playing educational computer games or watching TV shows that teach, as well as entertain.

When I asked the children I babysit if they’ve ever heard of Horton Hears a Who! (one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books turned into a movie in 2008), they both responded with “I love that movie!” After hearing the word movie, I was shocked. These children have never enjoyed the experience of sitting down with a Dr. Seuss book and getting lost in his made-up worlds. I was disgusted that the name of Dr. Seuss had turned into a business rather than staying true to the written word. I was closed-minded and believed Dr. Seuss should solely be reserved to books.

But, then I thought about it for a little and actually realized Dr. Seuss’ books being turned into movies is a great thing. Children nowadays probably wouldn’t be exposed to Dr. Seuss if it wasn’t for Horton Hears a Who! and The Lorax being turned into movies. Dr. Seuss’ legacy is still alive and more profound than ever because the movies are creating interest in the books amongst children.

Some of my fondest memories from my childhood include Dr. Seuss’ books. They remind me of a time of fantasy and constant imagination. The lovable author’s books have been able to conform to a technology based society, and I am happy to see children currently enjoying the books that I grew up with.

Parents love the author for his positive messages, and children love him for his fun-loving rhymes and pictures. Dr. Seuss will always be a legendary children’s book author, where his writing will be able to be enjoyed through many different mediums for many more years to come.