Who Celebrates Dr. Seuss Day? Dandridge Library

Stephanie Shelton reading “The Lorax” to children at the Dandridge Library
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Sunday, March 2nd is Read Across America Day, or as it is commonly known by children everywhere, Dr. Seuss Day. In celebration of the upcoming event and much beloved children’s author, the Dandridge Library hosted a Seuss reading day on Friday afternoon. Tiny tots piled into the library to hear the quirky and interesting stories of one of America’s favorite storytellers.

Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Dr. Seuss actually did not receive an honorary doctorate until several years after he was a successful writer. In college, Theodor Seuss Geisel (Ted) adopted the moniker Dr, Seuss following an incident in college where he was forbidden to publish in his college journal due to disciplinary action for violating prohibition. The name allowed Geisel to continue creating the cartoons that he so loved. He fell in to children’s writing by accident and discovered that he was very good at it. Children loved his catchy nonsense words and wonderful pictures. Interestingly, Geisel and his wife could not have children of their own and so he created an imaginary child, Chrysanthemum-Pearl, which he dedicated his second children’s book to and included on Christmas cards.

Dr. Seuss was known for his gift for story telling and he liked to razz the reporters during interviews, so much of his answers to questions should be taken with a grain of salt. Seuss had a great respect for children and liked to create books that encouraged thought. Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated 44 children’s books before his death on September 24, 1991.