Wednesday, on Dr. Seuss’ 118th birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, which owns the rights to unseen sketches drawn by Dr. Seuss, announced plans to use those sketches in new books written and illustrated by authors and illustrators who “represent a diverse cross-section of racial backgrounds” and will included “inclusive storylines,” according to the Associated Press.
Dr. Seuss works to be edited by 'racially diverse' team amid 'woke' backlash https://t.co/yy9wTsaRnR pic.twitter.com/psWAYnmZ6w
— New York Post (@nypost) March 2, 2022
Theodor Geisel, known worldwide as Dr. Seuss, died in 1991; Dr. Seuss Enterprises was founded after his death.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises stated, “The original Dr. Seuss sketch that serves as the inspiration for each of the new Seuss Studios books will be included in the book, along with a note from the creators explaining how they were inspired, and their process.”
“Meanwhile, the books will be published in a new Seuss Studios series, to be aimed at readers from ages 4 to 8. The first two titles are set to hit shelves next year,” The New York Post reported.
Susan Brandt, the president and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, boasted, “We look forward to putting the spotlight on a new generation of talent who we know will bring their unique voices and style to the page, while also drawing inspiration from the creativity and imagination of Dr. Seuss. … The original Dr. Seuss sketch that serves as the inspiration for each of the new Seuss Studios books will be included in the book, along with a note from the creators explaining how they were inspired, and their process.”
One woman commented online, “Can’t they just make up their own woke stories without ruining the work of a beloved author? Was bad enough when they canceled his books.”
Last year on Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced it would stop publishing six classic books of the famed author, “If I Ran the Zoo,” “And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.’’
“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press. “Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families. … Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalog of titles.”
Since 1998, March 2 has been celebrated as “Read Across America Day,” a date suggested by the National Education Association in order to honor the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Since the day’s establishment, presidents as disparate as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Donald Trump mentioned the author in their comments about the day.
But after Virginia’s largest school district, Loudoun County Public Schools, removed Dr. Seuss from its Read Across America Day celebration, President Biden left out any mention of the author from his proclamation last year.
Biden’s proclamation included statements such as these:
I have always believed that America’s children are the kite strings that keep our national ambitions aloft — the more we do today to spark their curiosity, their confidence, and their imaginations, the stronger our country will be tomorrow. The key to developing young learners into engaged, active, and innovative thinkers is instilling in them a love of reading at an early age. Reading is the gateway to countless skills and possibilities — it sets children on the path to a lifetime of discovery. On this Read Across America Day, we celebrate the parents, educators, librarians, and other champions of reading who help launch our Nation’s children on that critical path.
Once a passion for reading takes hold in a young person, the benefits extend far beyond the classroom. Reading broadens our perspective, introduces us to new worlds, cultures, and languages, and cultivates our sense of empathy and understanding of other people’s experiences and views. Reading informs us, empowers us, and teaches us the lessons of history. It helps us make sense of the world as it is — and inspires us to dream of what it could be.
But no mention of Dr. Seuss.