Today is Dr. Seuss’ birthday! Dr. Seuss is the pen name* for a famous American children’s book author, poet, and cartoonist. Dr. Seuss’ real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel. He was born and lived in the United States from 1904 to 1991. Geisel received many awards and accolades** for his writing during his lifetime, but he is rarely referred to by his real name, as most people know of him simply as “Dr. Seuss.”
Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated 46 children’s books in his lifetime! His books are considered unique, fun, funny and often poignant. They are filled with interesting illustrations and are written in rhyme, which sometimes contain made-up words or gibberish. Some of the Dr. Seuss’ books are very simple and have no real storyline, like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, while others are more complex and contain an underlying moral message, like The Lorax. Some of Dr. Seuss’ most popular books include: Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who!, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Many of Seuss’ books have been made into television shows, movies, and even Broadway plays! This may be how you know of Dr. Seuss if you are not a native English speaker, although his books have also been translated into other languages. I am not sure if the rhyme has been maintained in these translations though. If you know, please leave a comment on this post so we can all learn something new.
If you have never read or been read a Dr. Seuss book in English, you are in luck! Today to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday I have selected two of his books for you to hear. The first book, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, was written in 1960. This is a simple rhyming book that is often used to help children learn how to read. The second book is entitled Oh the Places You’ll Go! This book was written in 1990 and is a book often given to people graduating from high school or college in the United States because of its motivational message.
Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to these two wonderful books.
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc20P8nX6OE&feature=related
Oh the Places You’ll Go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoyV808d5NQ&feature=related
* pen name = the assumed or made up name used by a writer instead of his or her real name
** accolades = an award, expression of praise or admiration given as an acknowledgment of merit
