Courtesy United Way

“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.” — Dr. Seuss

In March, we celebrate the birth of Theodor Seuss Geisel, but you might know him better as Dr. Seuss! The works of Dr. Seuss are staples in children’s literature and can be found in many homes across the U.S. His first book, “And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street,” was published almost 90 years ago in 1937. Since then, he published more than 60 books in 20 different languages — and you will probably recognize many films that have been made based on his books including “Horton Hears a Who,” “The Lorax” and multiple versions of “The Grinch.”

So how did Dr. Seuss become a household name? And how did his works become foundational literature for children? Theodor Seuss Geisel began his career as a cartoonist for magazines, advertisements and illustrations for other authors’ children’s books. He also did some controversial political cartooning and propaganda films. All of these propelled him forward on his path to becoming the beloved Dr. Seuss.

As is the case with many famous artists, Dr. Seuss’s books were not a hit from the start. In the publishing world, books for small children that teach basic reading or mathematics are called “primers” (Because they are generally the very first books a child would read).

In the 1950’s, primers were known for being rather bland and lifeless — textbooks for toddlers. It wasn’t until John Hershey, an author with Life Magazine, mentioned Dr. Seuss’s books as an “exciting alternative,” that his works began getting attention.

Holly Ramer, Associated Press

Houghton Mifflin’s Education Division read Hershey’s article and began to work with Dr. Seuss to create more engaging primers. Effective primers only use the words approved for a 1st grader’s reading level, which is about 250 words.

Creating a book using only these simple “approved” words proved a challenge for Dr. Seuss, but he took the challenge — the result being a little book called “The Cat in the Hat.” Published in 1957, The Cat in the Hat challenged the idea of what a primer text could be, and changed children’s literature forever.

Suess’s work with primers also brought about books like “Hop on Pop,” “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” and “Green Eggs and Ham” which continue to be used in homes, daycares and schools across the world. But why are his books different? Why have his books lasted the test of time, and how has children’s literature evolved because of his works?

Dr. Seuss’s unconventional style encourages the use of core vocabulary and increased language development through repetition, rhythm and rhyming. While some of his books use very simple vocabulary, many of his other books include devices like onomatopoeia and malapropism (using made-up or similar-sounding words) to promote children learning through phonics. Unlike the other primer texts of his day, Suess’s use of made-up words and creatures snags children’s attention, and many readers look back on these wild stories fondly in their adulthood.

But Dr. Suess’s stories don’t just teach literacy lessons — what truly stands the test of time in his works are the life skills children learn along the way. For example, “The Cat in the Hat” teaches children the values of trust, responsibility, social expectations and honesty. Other books teach about problem solving and critical thinking skills. Dr. Seuss encourages imagination and empowers children to test out their own imaginative powers.

Reading a Dr. Suess book encourages its readers to be curious, ask questions about the things they see, hear and read, and tells us it’s ok to be messy and make some mistakes. This month we celebrate almost 120 years since the birth of Dr. Suess, so take a walk down Mulberry Street, eat some green eggs and ham for breakfast and, above all, find magic wherever you look.