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?
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.
