In related news ---
Little Brown announces sequel to "Catcher in the Rye," discovered in J.D. Salinger's underwear drawer!
Macmillan announces sequel to "Gone With the Wind," carefully hidden under layers of linen in Margaret Mitchell's hope chest!
Louisiana State University Press announces sequel to "A Confederacy of Dunces," retrieved from John Kennedy Toole's abandoned hot-dog cart!
V.C. Andrews says, "What's the big deal?"
Little Brown announces sequel to "Catcher in the Rye," discovered in J.D. Salinger's underwear drawer!
Macmillan announces sequel to "Gone With the Wind," carefully hidden under layers of linen in Margaret Mitchell's hope chest!
Louisiana State University Press announces sequel to "A Confederacy of Dunces," retrieved from John Kennedy Toole's abandoned hot-dog cart!
V.C. Andrews says, "What's the big deal?"
3
Dr. Seuss must be glad he's not here
There is so much to fear!
The GOP's a clown car
Not to be trusted that far
And watch out! Oh, beware!
Do not anger "The Hair."
There is so much to fear!
The GOP's a clown car
Not to be trusted that far
And watch out! Oh, beware!
Do not anger "The Hair."
3
TG, this long-lost manuscript doesn't tell us the Cat in the Hat is really a rat.
2
I can't believe that the Cat In The Hat is portrayed as a racist in this new Dr. Seuss book. Cat was the hero of my youth!
5
No, not under some rocks
And not at the docks,
How lucky for us
That it was in a box.
What an exciting excuse
For us to read Dr. Seuss,
My order is in
So let the fun begin!
And not at the docks,
How lucky for us
That it was in a box.
What an exciting excuse
For us to read Dr. Seuss,
My order is in
So let the fun begin!
3
I was interested in the observation that Red Fish Blue Fish superseded What Pet Should I Get because of its more open-ended fantasy.
Having done my master's thesis on the use of children's literature in teaching EFL and ESL (English as a foreign/second language) using Dr.Seuss's books among others a different reason for the choice occurred to me.
Red Fish Blue Fish just barely qualifies as a narrative. It is a loosely connected collection of phonemic rhymes with simpler language and fantastical Seussian creature illustrations. As such it was more suited to the target demographic of beginning readers learning by the phoneme method.
Indeed, in my experience, even slightly older children prefer the satisfaction of a problem-solution narrative (What Pet Should I Get) but by then they are already readers.
I think Red Fish Blue Fish, with its similar premise won out as a better fit for for Beginner books marketable the very young.
Having done my master's thesis on the use of children's literature in teaching EFL and ESL (English as a foreign/second language) using Dr.Seuss's books among others a different reason for the choice occurred to me.
Red Fish Blue Fish just barely qualifies as a narrative. It is a loosely connected collection of phonemic rhymes with simpler language and fantastical Seussian creature illustrations. As such it was more suited to the target demographic of beginning readers learning by the phoneme method.
Indeed, in my experience, even slightly older children prefer the satisfaction of a problem-solution narrative (What Pet Should I Get) but by then they are already readers.
I think Red Fish Blue Fish, with its similar premise won out as a better fit for for Beginner books marketable the very young.
3
I taught myself to read from The Cat in the Hat so I will always have fond memories of Dr. Seuss. My lifelong pleasure in reading books is due to the awakening of that ability from his simple rhymes. Matching the sound to the written word was such a startling experience that there's a visceral snap in my mind when I recall it happening. Oh, so that's what reading is... When I suddenly figured it out, wow, it blew my mind...
Like when Helen Keller realizes that the word "water" is being spelled into her hand as she feels the running water at the same time..... Communication through language... That's one of the most important human experiences in life... For me, it all started with Dr. Seuss. Glad to hear there's another book coming out...
Like when Helen Keller realizes that the word "water" is being spelled into her hand as she feels the running water at the same time..... Communication through language... That's one of the most important human experiences in life... For me, it all started with Dr. Seuss. Glad to hear there's another book coming out...
5
That is exactly my experience. Sesame Street, parents who read to me, and Cat in the Hat all coalesced one day. At that moment, I learned to read. I can't wait to see the new book.
3
Ditto! Planning to get a copy as a treat, and just wrote to a friend that her 4-year old grand-daughter, who is keeping all of us on our toes with her joy for life, gets to choose a pet, which I will keep for her in the country. Hopefully, it's a bunny rabbit and not a chatter-box cat :)
3
Probably the final book by Dr. Seuss, joyously brought to children everywhere of ALL ages a quarter of a century after his death,
And You Happily Revealed The Ending.
And You Happily Revealed The Ending.
7
He used to come down the hill from his house to La Jolla Music and hang out in the late 60s. Rather austere and not really a fan of children. But reading his books to my sons twenty years later, his were the ONLY ones I never tired of reading out loud, even over and over and over!
5
One of my first social literary disappointments in life was when 6, the American cartoonist, Charles Addams, showed up to take my mother out to dinner, and he looked at me with gloom. He had a strong dislike for kiddies. He was buried in his pet cemetery out in East Hampton.
Loved the political cartoon by Theodor Geisel and his comment about children. What a hoot!
Loved the political cartoon by Theodor Geisel and his comment about children. What a hoot!
1
So good to hear! To me the timing of its publication is good karma. Dr. Seuss will neutralize the angst rippling through American literature caused by the new and unimproved Atticus Finch. "What Pet Should I Get" answers, hands down, "What Book Should I Get". I'll be in line on Tuesday.
4
I would not be so sure. Like Atticus Finch, Dr Seuss suffered from the racism of his era, at least in the late 1920s
http://natedsanders.com/mobile/lotdetail.aspx?inventoryid=36654&seo=...
http://natedsanders.com/mobile/lotdetail.aspx?inventoryid=36654&seo=...
In no way were Dr. Seuss's rhythms and rhymes "anarchic." They were anapestic tetrameter.
11
I look forward to buying and reading "What Pet Should I Get?" After all, "The Cat in the Hat" is my all-time favorite children's book (50+ years and running).
6
I will read it on a train
I will read it on a plane
I will read it in a car
I will read it near and far
With a bustard
Eating custard
With a fox, in a box
With a cat
In a hat
With a turtle
Name of Yertle
In a train, on a plane, with a cat in a hat, with a bustard eating custard or a turtle name of Yertle
Dr. Suess is such a joy
For me and every girl and boy
I will read Seuss anywhere
I will read it on a plane
I will read it in a car
I will read it near and far
With a bustard
Eating custard
With a fox, in a box
With a cat
In a hat
With a turtle
Name of Yertle
In a train, on a plane, with a cat in a hat, with a bustard eating custard or a turtle name of Yertle
Dr. Suess is such a joy
For me and every girl and boy
I will read Seuss anywhere
51
To Jared from the Bronx,
I give my hearty thonx.
This day's been bad, and made me sad.
In fact, it really stonx.
But brand new Seuss was just let loose, I'm starting to feel glad.
Book Forty-Five is now alive --
I'm giddy as a goose!
I give my hearty thonx.
This day's been bad, and made me sad.
In fact, it really stonx.
But brand new Seuss was just let loose, I'm starting to feel glad.
Book Forty-Five is now alive --
I'm giddy as a goose!
12
Jared,
I think you've got it!
I think you've got it!
2
It wasn't until I became a parent that I learned what a genius Dr Seuss was. We still have all his books, even though my kids are 10 and 13. And we're getting this one!
8
Seuss scholar. Now that's a fun title for your resume.
7
There is unopened grave at the Holy Trinity Church with the sequel to Hamlet
buried with another famous writer. Hamlet wakes up and realizes that the whole first part was a dream. He stretches and says, To be or not to be, that was then and this is now.
Buried inside a tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a manuscript entitled ,The Second Coming, Beyond the New Testament, by J.C. Lord.
Cant wait to see what other unpublished works by well known authors we unearth.
buried with another famous writer. Hamlet wakes up and realizes that the whole first part was a dream. He stretches and says, To be or not to be, that was then and this is now.
Buried inside a tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a manuscript entitled ,The Second Coming, Beyond the New Testament, by J.C. Lord.
Cant wait to see what other unpublished works by well known authors we unearth.
3
I love it in a box or out, and this review was worth an absolute shout:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/20/books/review-what-pet-should-i-get-a-n...
July 19, 2015
‘What Pet Should I Get?,’ a New Book From Dr. Seuss
By MICHIKO KAKUTANI
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/20/books/review-what-pet-should-i-get-a-n...
July 19, 2015
‘What Pet Should I Get?,’ a New Book From Dr. Seuss
By MICHIKO KAKUTANI
6
Thanks to Michiko Kakutani for demonstrating definitively that nobody can write like Dr. Seuss BUT Dr. Seuss. His writing had a distinctive and unmistakable rhythm. This review, while I appreciate the idea, does not.
7
This will be the perfect holiday gift for my children, now 27, 25, and 23. They'll get a kick out of it, and we parents will think we're still teaching them.
8
How fascinating! I've always liked Dr. Seuss books since I was little. I have a collection of his books still, and I will surely share his writing with the younger people in my family. It is great how things just pop up like this so that people can enjoy them even after their time.
5
I don't know why
This made me cry.
I may look sad,
Inside, I'm Glad!
The things I read
My sons in bed
That made them smile
and laugh the while.
Your words dear Seuss
Did worlds unloose
Where roamed my boys
With new-found toys.
They now are grown.
Had I but known
That one book more
Is now in store.
Would they were here
Not far but near
Their full-grown heads
In their old beds.
With apologies and love, thank you Dr. Seuss
This made me cry.
I may look sad,
Inside, I'm Glad!
The things I read
My sons in bed
That made them smile
and laugh the while.
Your words dear Seuss
Did worlds unloose
Where roamed my boys
With new-found toys.
They now are grown.
Had I but known
That one book more
Is now in store.
Would they were here
Not far but near
Their full-grown heads
In their old beds.
With apologies and love, thank you Dr. Seuss
47
Thank you 'Glen'. That was wonderful.
9
This made me cry. Thank you, Glen.
7
Finally, some good news to share with the world!!
8
One book
Two book
Red book
Blue book.
Black book
Blue book
Old book
New book.
This one has a little star.
This one has a little car.
Say! What a lot
Of lucky readers we are.
Two book
Red book
Blue book.
Black book
Blue book
Old book
New book.
This one has a little star.
This one has a little car.
Say! What a lot
Of lucky readers we are.
14
Well played.
I for one am going to get a copy. I learned to read with Dr. Seuss and one of my most treasured belongings is a recording of me and my late father reading One Fish Two Fish aloud.
Visitors to San Diego should stop by the main UCSD library--named the Geisel Library (many of us called it the Dr. Seuss Library), which itself is a whimsical diamond-shaped building surrounded by talking trees and a gigantic snake (ask any student where these are), and a life-size bronze sculpture of Geisel working at his desk. In the library one can view fascinating examples of Geisel's early work.
Visitors to San Diego should stop by the main UCSD library--named the Geisel Library (many of us called it the Dr. Seuss Library), which itself is a whimsical diamond-shaped building surrounded by talking trees and a gigantic snake (ask any student where these are), and a life-size bronze sculpture of Geisel working at his desk. In the library one can view fascinating examples of Geisel's early work.
5
Born in '60, I was weened on the Good Dr.'s books, as well as those by another titan, Mr. Charles M. Schultz. Just looking at those pictures included with this article took me back in time. It's magical!
And speaking of the Peanuts crew, I've only recently come to the realization that one of my early role models was Snoopy.
And speaking of the Peanuts crew, I've only recently come to the realization that one of my early role models was Snoopy.
5
"weened" ? "ween" is Scots for small child
"weaned" means "no longer nursing"
"weaned" means "no longer nursing"
Was weened or weaned
What SB meaned?
Is Quatt just inches
from being Grinches?
Let's wait and see
Just you and me,
If Quatt has humor
Or is it rumor?
What SB meaned?
Is Quatt just inches
from being Grinches?
Let's wait and see
Just you and me,
If Quatt has humor
Or is it rumor?
2
I like 'weened' because it fits childishly here and Dr. Seuss might have smiled.
I really hope this book does not reveal that the Cat in the Hat, in fact, hates hats, and breaks all of our hearts. Seriously though, agree with some of the commenters here who feel an artist's published body of work should be in the artist's control when they're alive and entirely of sound mind. When the artist chooses not to publish unpublished work when they're alive, or when their trusted aides are alive, we should respect their wishes. Publishing today is a for-profit business with the likes of Rupert Murdoch sucking the downside of the straw, whereas in Lee and Geisel's time, the industry was about creating art. Two different worlds with different agendas, and they should be understood and kept separate.
3
DR SEUSS is on the loose.
Left us a treasure beyond measure.
Another book? Let's take a look!
Now we find what he had in mind.
Read the story in all its glory!
Left us a treasure beyond measure.
Another book? Let's take a look!
Now we find what he had in mind.
Read the story in all its glory!
27
What he had in mind, apparently, was to file this book away until he'd finished it himself -- and he never did.
2
Why not give him one more remembrance? I love it that my grandkids are lucky enough to have a fresh new Dr. Seuss book to "call their own."
14
When he graduated from Dartmouth college, he decided to draw cartoons for a living. I hope there are still students around like him who can dream.
22
Naw.... they're all going into banking / finance. That's where the money is.
Looking at the fine slide collection, #4 , "The Guy Who Makes a Mock of Democracy" is so apt given the current climate of uncivil political discourse and with the editorial type cartoon of the blowhard featured there...It might have well been sketched today, it is so timely.
11
I remember walking to school with siblings and friends, and shouting out the words to "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" as we walked. Perhaps a new generation will shout out the words to "What Pet Shall I Get?"
10
Go set another publishing cash grab...
Seuss was a brilliant man, I have no doubt he published all he intended to.
Seuss was a brilliant man, I have no doubt he published all he intended to.
11
Nonsense! This is a treasure, and I'm glad for those who found it and worked on it (Especially appropriate that someone who had worked with him on other books is still at Random House! and apparently his wife was also consulted?)
I'm delighted that more of his work has come to light, and is being published.
That's my vote!
I'm delighted that more of his work has come to light, and is being published.
That's my vote!
10
I agree with Vermontague. Mrs. Geisel is obviously in favor of the way this manuscript was finished and will now be published. Let the purists grump. The rest of us will enjoy one more offering from a master of both words and illustrations.
2
"Some Seuss scholars say Mr. Geisel may have felt ambivalent about the pet shop book."
"A notorious perfectionist and tinkerer, Mr. Geisel took work to Random House only when it was complete. The pet shop manuscript ... was several steps shy of finished."
"... Ms. Goldsmith faced a maze of decisions [in assembling the pieces]."
------------------
Although the unfinished drawings and fragments of text are a thrilling find, I think that Random House has taken undue liberties here. This appears in the end to be another case of profits trumping genuine concern and respect for Mr. Geisel's legacy and wishes.
"A notorious perfectionist and tinkerer, Mr. Geisel took work to Random House only when it was complete. The pet shop manuscript ... was several steps shy of finished."
"... Ms. Goldsmith faced a maze of decisions [in assembling the pieces]."
------------------
Although the unfinished drawings and fragments of text are a thrilling find, I think that Random House has taken undue liberties here. This appears in the end to be another case of profits trumping genuine concern and respect for Mr. Geisel's legacy and wishes.
3
What I love about this article, is that it shows how much care was put into making sure they published the right version, with the right colors, to make sure it held to Dr Seuss' standards and legacy. I appreciate that and I'm sure many others do, too!
While there are others that will argue it should never be released or published I- as a 34 year old Woman- will go out and buy this book to add it to my bookshelf with my other Seuss favorites- Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax, The Sneeches & One Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish!
While there are others that will argue it should never be released or published I- as a 34 year old Woman- will go out and buy this book to add it to my bookshelf with my other Seuss favorites- Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax, The Sneeches & One Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish!
27
Actually, from the picture in the slide show comparing found illustration with finished work I'm under impression that Seuss' book was shrunk to fit into a format smaller than what Seuss originally had in mind. I doubt it's all that faithful.
1
I'll have to cruise by the library again, but if I recall correctly, a lot of times the original artwork was larger than the final book.
1
As Ms Goldsmith used to work regularly with Dr Seuss and knew his routines, color, etc- I assume, maybe incorrectly but we'll never know, that she knows how he works and how the art on the pages will translate to the book. I highly doubt after all the care and detail she was putting in to finish the pages, that she would drop the ball on that little detail.
But did they find it with a fox?
43
As a kid from the 1960s, this is almost as fun as discovering a lost Beatles single.
23
I was soooo afraid of the Dr. Seuss characters when I was little, especially the Cat in the Hat. My parents gave me To Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street when I was five or six. I was too afraid of the drawings to look at it. Finally, when I was about twenty, I read the book that was in the shelves for fifteen years. Turns out it was a fantastic book.
5
Who cares, Never liked these things even as a kid. Found them too simple and stupid.
6
Perhaps you should re-read How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
29
Too bad for you. My four children, all professionals and now in their 40's and 50's grew up on these books ,loved them and still use some of the rhymes as appropriate.
20
You are in the minority, fortunately.
29
"yes, they found it in a box" Love, love, love it!
25
This is another example of why corporate capitalism is bad. These big publishing houses, instead of taking a bet on the next Dr. Seuss or Harper Lee, are picking at the bones of our beloved authors because they know it's guaranteed profit.
I love both of these authors but haven't bought either "new" book." I would rather smaller publishers who are taking a risk.
I love both of these authors but haven't bought either "new" book." I would rather smaller publishers who are taking a risk.
16
Rare is the editor who understands what it means to remain behind the curtain--not in front of it. Ms. Goldsmith deserves fanfare for her reserve and care: she made certain that this new publication is "all" Dr. Seuss--or as much of him as possible. Cathy Goldsmith's forensic approach, her aim to keep this a solo-authored publication, rather than some corporate hybrid or worse, deserves applause. I hope that when the book comes out, Ms Goldsmith will quietly take a bow, albeit behind the curtain.
68
Thank you, Ms. Goldsmith! You've given us something very precious, indeed.
18
Did they find it in a box where he kept his sox?
55
Can't wait to see a new treasure from a favorite children's author! As a child during the 50's and 60's, I remember plodding through Dick and Jane books. The arrival of the wicked fun, the silly poetry, and whimsical drawings of the world of Dr. Seuss was such a welcome contrast for a child. What was this crazy new world and all of its fanciful creatures? He made reading fun! I saw my own three sons enjoy his books, as well as my students, and now my little grand children. Fanciful worlds are timeless! And somehow, in each book, there was a gentle life lesson, which lead to important discussions at home and in the classroom. Thank you, Dr. Seuss.
40
I didn't appreciate his books when I was small. I didn't like the drawings because I found the characters ugly and weird. But later, in my teens I took another look and especially liked The Lorax. He was astutely aware of the ethical issues confronting us and found fanciful, humorous ways to thoughtfully convey these ideas. And his illustrations began to appeal. Probably the hallucinatory atmosphere at the time helped.
oh the places Im going!
15
Reminds me of going in to my local library about 15 years or so ago to run into a "new" work that had lain uncompleted from my favorite author; which had been completed by some one else; 90 years after the death of the original author. The astonishment of a "new" book from Mark Twain made it an AUTOMATIC pick-up!
2
As someone in the children's publishing business one of the most interesting things to me is learning that Cathy Goldsmith, a designer/art director, moved up the ranks to become an Associate Publisher. It's encouraging to see a senior manager who comes from the art side of the publishing.
42
Dr. Seuss touched so many lives in a positive way. Having a bonus treasure like this appear so many years after his death is such a nice reminder of this great man. I just wish he'd also produced a book with a strong but subliminal message about the importance of morality. Our society could have really used that one.
6
Read "Yertle the Turtle."
Horton heard the Whos.
1
Yertle the Turtle (arrogance); The Lorax (environmentalism); The Sneetches (prejudice); and another short story, I forget the name, about a traveler fearfully meeting a pair of green pants (with no one inside them) only to discover the pants were afraid of him! Many of his stories had moral undertones which served as a starting point for good discussions with my children.
2
What a treat!
I remember so clearly at the age of 6 or 7, having the chicken pox. My mother propped me up in bed and said "I've brought the Dr. to help you feel better."
She handed me my first Seuss - 'The Cat in The Hat'.
Now, with rotator cuff surgery on the horizon, I'll make sure my husband brings me this new Dr. Seuss, to help me feel better.
I remember so clearly at the age of 6 or 7, having the chicken pox. My mother propped me up in bed and said "I've brought the Dr. to help you feel better."
She handed me my first Seuss - 'The Cat in The Hat'.
Now, with rotator cuff surgery on the horizon, I'll make sure my husband brings me this new Dr. Seuss, to help me feel better.
32
In the '80s I worked with a guy from San Diego, his parents were French and his dad taught at UCSD, they were friends with the family and he got to see, as a young reader, a couple of the books before they were finished. He said nothing but wonderful things about him. It's nice, once in a while, to see that not all famous people are Cosbyesqe monsters.
3
I believe he was a brilliant author. Thanks for sharing this.
9
I have dear memories of receiving "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back," as a birthday present when I was in first grade.
This is an utterly joyous occasion.
This is an utterly joyous occasion.
9
Wow. Just wow! Dr Seuss! New book! Here is where having grand kids comes in real handy - I now have a good excuse for buying the book. Oh, sure, I was going to get it anyway, but now it is for bringing the magic of Dr Seuss to the grand kids.
Thank you Ms. Goldsmith, et. al., for bringing this project to life and fruition.
Thank you Ms. Goldsmith, et. al., for bringing this project to life and fruition.
16
We're seeing a pattern here: the "discovery" of works by dead or defenseless authors by people who stand to make million from the process. Harper Lee and Geisel should be a lesson to others. If you create something that doesn't meet your standards shred it while you still can.
38
This was my reaction as well, with respect to Geisel and
Harper Lee. The specifics of the "Watchman" publication make me wonder.
At least the presence of Ms. Goldsmith and her years of work with the author stand as a significant difference whereas Lee's editor and next of kin had died and have not been here to verify and even to protect the author.
Given the $$$, we may indeed see a pattern of more discoveries.
Harper Lee. The specifics of the "Watchman" publication make me wonder.
At least the presence of Ms. Goldsmith and her years of work with the author stand as a significant difference whereas Lee's editor and next of kin had died and have not been here to verify and even to protect the author.
Given the $$$, we may indeed see a pattern of more discoveries.
4
The money side is problematic I guess, but there is great value in seeing an imperfect work well after masterpieces have been absorbed. Such texts shed light on creativity, ambivalence (the theme of the children's story and perhasp too his own life situation), and the somewhat haphazard experience of achievement. I am glad it is coming in to the world.
3
Charlie B, You're saying Mrs. Geisel is a ripoff artist? For shame.
2
Thanks to a brilliant man who fired children's imagination with his upside down world and whimsical people and creatures. Could anyone ask for a better legacy than the one of joy, smiles, laughter and curiosity he left behind him?
16
It wasn't all joy and laughter. His wife Helen Palmer Geisel committed suicide because of his affair with Audrey Stone.
4
Oh dear, Chandler. I just looked up the story of his first wife's suicide and the story of his remarriage and his second wife's children. A rather tragic mismatch between the fabulous legacy to the rest of us and the pain of some of those closest to him.
2
Lite never is, or it would cause an imbalance. Of sorrow and joy, some of our greatest authors have given us their talent based on their own life voyage.
Oh no - Do we now find out that "The Cat in the Hat" became a neatness freak in later life?
29
Of a book which is new
But it's of no use
Who don't love Seuss?!