Posted on 03/02/2011 5:03:51 PM PST by Pan_Yan
One-hundred-and-fourth birthdays aren't usually much celebrated for authors who aren't alive anymore. But it seems an appropriately eccentric occasion to mark for the frankly fantabulous Theodor Seuss Geisel rather better known as Dr Seuss who came into the world on 2 March, 1904.
Like generations of children I was weaned on his spry, jazzy tales, and now when Uncle Lindesay steps up to put the kids to sleep with one of his famously thrilling bedtime stories it's not just a nostalgic kick I'm getting out of the experience. They're still brilliant pieces of writing: as well as the mad imagination, the language turns over with a poise as sure as the lyrics of Cole Porter, and the reader rides his characteristic anapestic metric schemes with effortless glee. It still weaves a spell on the younglings, and many have understandably imitated it, but very few can make it swing like the Doctor:
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
"And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Yes, I noticed that the author can’t do math. He would have been 107 today.
Dr. Seuss was one of the few lefties that advocated the US oppose Nazi Germany, BEFORE Hitler invaded the Soviet Union.
True. He was a liberal Democrat of the old school. Maybe you don’t agree with all of his views, but he would look like a raging conservative compared to today’s Democrats.
As I got a little older, I came across the earlier, pre-Cat Seuss books (like Mulberry Street and the Horton books), and liked them better, but the drawing style still bugged me, and continues to. But I've got to admit to a soft spot for the Grinch.
The old Dick and Jane series started this slide into ignorance.
Phonics work because we see and HEAR language. The dumbing Down has been DELIBERATE. The object is CONTROL.
I love DR. Seuss’ secret art! There is a gallery in Roswell that carries it. I have 2 pieces myself.
Regardless of politics, IMHO Dr. Seuss was the best children’s author EVER - bar none. No one even in the same league. Kind of like Sean “the flying tomato” White in the arena of snowboarding.
Thanks for the info. I’ll have to check that out.
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