Every child, teacher, and parent around America looks forward to the week when they can go all out with crazy socks, hairstyles, and character cosplays. Maybe they’ll even start the day off with a hearty breakfast of Green Eggs and Ham! Each year, Read Across America Week– and Dr. Seuss Week– is celebrated during the first week of March, conveniently coinciding with Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd.
Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, revolutionized the children’s book genre with his whimsical rhymes, nonsensical words, and unique characters. However, most people do not know that he went by his mother’s maiden name, Seuss, so he could still publish articles in his university’s newspaper after he was banned for drinking during Prohibition. Upon graduating from college, Seuss began working as an illustrator for various publications, such as Life and Vanity Fair.
Very quickly, Dr. Seuss began publishing an array of creative children’s books, challenging the stereotypical stories everyone was used to. His work spanned many ages, with pieces like Hop on Pop for early readers, and Oh the Places You’ll Go, which is now a popular graduation gift for seniors. During and after World War II, Dr. Seuss focused his content on political commentaries, producing allegories on the war and social justice issues such as Yertle the Turtle, The Sneetches, and Horton Hears a Who. These works are not only important for their message, but also for the knowledge they instill in the children who read them.
“This week we celebrate Ted Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. He wanted to write books to encourage children to use their imagination. His playful stores, made-up words, and rhyming made reading fun for children all around the world. His ideas and imagination live on and they bring the joy of reading to children every day,” said Shannon Meade, third grade teacher.
During Dr. Seuss Week, students from around the country are encouraged to dress up in the spirit of Dr. Seuss. From wearing their clothes inside-out to twinning with their best friends, for one week in March, children slip out of the mundanity of school and into the mystical world of Whoville, Horton, and hats on cats.
