Theodor Seuss Geisel, most commonly referred to as Dr. Seuss, is known as an author and illustrator of children’s books. His famous works make up several classic reads for kids of all ages, and the list of popular books could go on for a mile. Some of our favorites include How The Grinch Stole Christmas; The Lorax; Oh, The Places You Will Go! and There’s a Wocket in My Pocket. Though we know him as a clever author, Geisel actually got his start in advertising.—a man after our own hearts!
Dr. Seuss’s love for illustrating and writing came at an early age, and he used his college years to develop those talents. It was also in his college years when he developed his pen name. After getting in trouble for sipping gin with his friends, the dean forced Geisel to quit working at the school’s humor magazine, Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern. However, Geisel continued to work without the administration’s knowledge by using the pen name “Seuss.”
It was one of his cartoons that got him noticed by the advertising world. This particular cartoon featured Flit—a once-popular bug spray—and the advertising executive’s wife saw it and loved it so much, she made her husband hire Geisel. His campaign for Flit ran from 1928 through 1941. Geisel was able to make a living during the Great Depression by drawing advertisements for General Electric, NBC, Standard Oil, Narragansett Brewing Company and several other companies. His advertising illustrations, which you can see here, were very “Seuss-esque”—overly animated with clever copy.
Dr. Seuss’s first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was published in 1936. Shortly after, he turned his energy to help his country during World War II by drawing posters for the Treasury Department and the War Production Board, but he returned to children’s books in 1950, and wrote several works, including Horton Hears a Who!, The Cat in The Hat and Green Eggs and Ham.
In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, on March 2, we have compiled a list of our favorite Dr. Seuss books:
Ted – There’s a Wocket in my Pocket
Lisa – One Fish. Two Fish. Red Fish, Blue Fish.
Mandy – Oh, The Places You Will Go
Diane – Horton Hears a Who!
Bryan – Cat In The Hat
John – Green Eggs and Ham
Alex – The Lorax
Kinzie – How The Grinch Stole Christmas