Theodor Seuss Geisel writing under pen name Dr. Seuss (1904 – 1991) was an American children’s author, cartoonist, illustrator, poet, animator, and filmmaker. He has written and illustrated over 60 books. Some of his books are most popular children’s titles of all time, never out of print and have sold over 600 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death. Dr. Seuss’s was the recipient of two Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, the Inkpot Award and the Pulitzer Prize. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been in the Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid dead celebrities, every year since 2001 when the list was first published.
“ABC” by Dr Seuss consists of a humorously alliterated verse for each letter paired up with illustrations of quintessentially Seussian creatures whose antics would never fail to amuse. Whether it’s meeting Oscar’s Ostrich oiling an owl, Silly Sammy sipping sodas or young Yolanda Yorgenson yelling on a yack – prepare for your little readers’ large grins.
Similar to other Dr. Seuss’ books which explore great ideas and teach great lessons in fun ways (think “Horton Hears Who” or “How the Grinch stole Christmas”), his “ABC” offers an opportunity to learn while steering clear of any pedagogical bore.
Winston Churchill once said: “Personally I’m always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught”. And don’t we all feel that way! Dr. Seuss’ books are perfect bridges to inspire such learning without feeling taught. His “ABC” with its clever rhythmic verse and hilarious pairing of characters amounts to some seriously infectious fun. It has quickly made it into the league of “Let’s read it again!” and “Again!” with my little Seuss fan when he was about three or four.
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