Dr. Seuss' Birthday 2013: IBTimes' Favorite Books By The Late Theodor 'Seuss' Geisel
Saturday marks the 109th birthday of the late Dr. Seuss, the revered children’s book author, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with memories of his heartwarming work.
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Mass., to Theodor and Henrietta Geisel. He later attended Dartmouth College. While at Dartmouth, Geisel was reportedly busted for drinking gin with some friends, and the school later banned him from all extracurricular activities, including writing for his college humor magazine, “Jack-O-Lantern.” That’s when Geisel adopted the pen name, Dr. Seuss.
The rest, of course, as they say, is history.
Seuss published more than 60 children's books – many of which have been adapted into films – and have sold more than 222 million copies in 15 languages. Both young and old fans have come to appreciate his whimsical tales, which always end on a positive note.
The National Education Association's "Read Across America Day" takes place annually on Seuss' birthday.
In honor of the poet’s birthday, IBTimes editors and reporters shared their favorite books, memories and funny thoughts about Seuss.
Maya Shwayder, World News Reporter: "I remember getting a copy of 'Oh The Places You'll Go' at every graduation. Still love the book.” @mayaergas
Fionna Agomuoh, CND/Tech Reporter: “I loved how all the fish in 'One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish' didn't actually look like fish.” @FionnaatIBT
Christopher Zara, Senior Reporter, Media & Culture: “The simplistic brilliance Seuss’s 1957 book, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,’ resides in the effortless relatability of its holiday-hating title character. I mean, who among us hasn’t -- at least on occasion -- scorned the season with complete Grinch-like acidity? Who hasn’t felt violently ill after hearing “Jingle Bell Rock” for the five-hundredth time? Who hasn’t cursed Coca-Cola’s very existence upon seeing those sappy CGI polar bears? Yup, there’s a little Grinch in all of us.” @christopherzara
Ashley Portero, World New Reporter: “Salivating over how strangely appetizing all the food looked in ‘Green Eggs and Ham.’” @ashleyportero
Palash Ghosh, World Editor/Senior Writer: “I loved ‘Horton Hears A Hoo’ -- back then I thought elephants (and other animals) could talk since books, cartoons and movies like 'Doctor Dolittle' suggested they could.” @Gooch700
Alberto Riva, World News Editor “I grew up in Italy, before the Internet. So I didn’t discover Dr. Seuss until I encountered a reference to the Grinch, in my 20's. Which is not too old to think ‘The Cat In The Hat’ is very sweet.” @albertoriva
Michelle FlorCruz, World News Reporter, “’Green Eggs And Ham.’ I actually remember asking my school cafeteria if they had green eggs to try for myself when I was a kid. Never tried them, but I probably wouldn’t have liked them anyway. Not even in a boat.” @mflorcruz
Nadine DeNinno, CND Supervisor, “I fondly remember eating Swedish fish every time I read ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.’ My dull, ironic humor hasn’t changed much.” @nadinedeninno
Mike Obel, Markets Editor. “I was always impressed by the fact that in ‘Yertle the Turtle’ the turtle at the bottom of the heap, Mack, was never crushed, despite the fact that hundreds of other turtles were stacked on top of him. It wasn’t the impossibly high altitude that the turtle pile reached that seemed unusual to me; it was the durability of poor little Mack. Plus he brought down Yertle with a burp … gotta like those burping turtles. @MikeObel
Nadia Croes, Copy Editor: “’Hop On Pop.’ As a little girl, it always reminded me of how my pop told me that when I was an infant he would put me on his chest and sing a simple tune that would make me bounce up and down. That was our special thing.” @nadiacroes
Amethyst Tate, CND Reporter: “I love ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go!’ Inspirational quote: ‘Oh the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.’” @ammiet1
Dave Smith, Technology Editor: “My favorite Dr. Seuss book was and always will be ‘Oh The Places You’ll Go.’ If you read that book, you will succeed. Yes! You will, indeed! (It’s 93 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)” @redletterdave
Bobby Ilich, Sports Editor: “I found those books creepy when I was a kid. Haha ‘Eggs are not supposed to be green!!!!’ – Bobby, Age 6” @bobbyilich
Roxanne Palmer, Science Reporter: “’Bartholomew and the Oobleck’ has held a special place in my heart ever since 2nd grade. Our teacher read the story to us, then we got to make the eponymous green goo (a non-Newtonian fluid!) with cornstarch, water and food coloring.” @rpalmerscience
Marisa Krystian, IBTimes TV Broadcast Journalist: “I'll never forget reading Dr Seuss' 'Sneetches.' The book that taught me I was cool even if I didn't have 'stars upon thars.'” @risahope
James DiGioia, Social Media Coordinator: “My favorite Dr. Seuss book was definitely ‘The Butter Battle Book.’ I remember, even when I was little, wondering why everyone involved was being so intransigent about something so inane. I liked to think that the world would be different by now, but as I watch the developments on the sequester, I am sadly reminded this is not the case.” @JamesDiGioia
Maria Bromberg, Business Development Associate: "'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.' 'You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile' is what I think whenever someone is being a jerk." @MariaBr33
Charlene Carlino, Office Manager: “Definitely ‘Green Eggs & Ham,’ it was the first book I read all by myself without any help from my mom. I remember thinking green eggs were yucky. Until this day, I can still recite this book by heart. 'Do you like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do not like green eggs and ham.'"
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