Dr. Seuss is one of the most famous children’s authors of all time, but most people don’t know that he began his career as an illustrator. He was published in a variety of publications such as Vanity Fair and Life. While studying in his undergraduate at Dartmouth, Theodor Seuss Geisel (his legal name) began writing under his now famous pen name Dr. Seuss.

In addition to having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Dr. Seuss has won two academy awards, two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal.

Breaking with traditional prose, Dr. Seuss introduced silly nonsense and humor to children. Below is a quote from his book Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, which resonates with more than just children… but graduates, anyone needing motivation, and so many people around the world:

“So be sure when you step,
Step with care and great tact.
And remember that life’s
A Great Balancing Act.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)
Kid, you’ll move mountains.”

In reading/hearing Dr. Seuss, one is able to expand their vocabulary, hear and identify sounds, and learn to read text accurately. The nonsense words challenge you to identify language and fully experience it. Reading literacy is a constant evolution within us and does not happen overnight. In reading together, we lead by example. When children see a parent reading, they are more likely to model the same behavior.

Reading aloud stimulates language development before children can even talk! If you’re worried about whether or not it makes a difference for toddlers and babies to hear you read… don’t worry and read. It assists their cognitive development and helps them to learn your voice and rhythm of words. Reading is also a coping skill for older children who are seeking others with similar interests and struggles.

I’ll leave you with this quote by Dr. Seuss from Fox in Socks:

“When beetles fight these battles in a bottle with their paddles
and the bottle’s on a poodle and the poodle’s eating noodles…
…they call this a muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle
bottle paddle battle.”