Today

[sartorias]

First, meme from mamculuna: take a selfie right now, the way you are, and post it. I was so happy to put a face to a name, I thought, okay, I'll do that, frowzy hair, ice cream splashed t-shirt, and all.

Comments

[longstrider]

There's also some pretty appalling casual racism in a number of Seuss's books (even aside from the horrifying stuff he did for the US government during WWII), even though he has others where the entire theme is explicitly against racism. For example To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street, which I remembered as a wonderful whimsical imaginary journey, much the way my imagination works only to dribble out my ears if I have to relate it to someone else, now all I can see is the casual stereotyping and Othering of other cultures. On the flip side he did Sneetches and other stories and The Butter Battle Book which were explicitly against racism and war over cultural differences.

[sartorias]

I never read either of them--we only had access to about five of his books, growing up, most of which I mentioned. Several people have mentioned some disturbing hints in various books. Glad I never saw those.

[thistleingrey]

I missed most Seuss as a child, and as a babysitting teen and then an adult I couldn't figure out why and how the visceral connection works for ...those for whom it works.

With the no longer little one, we've enjoyed one stealth-Seuss (under a different pseud), Ten Apples Up on Top, which is somewhat better about potential consequences. Also, Fox in Socks.

[sartorias]

:-)

[serialbabbler]

I actually didn't much like picture books as a child. When I was reading, I either wanted pictures or a story. Not both at the same time. (My older brother used to read Dr. Seuss to me before I learned how to read, but I don't remember.) I found Dick and Jane oddly fascinating though. It depicted such a strange and alien world. :D Also, pop-up books were okay because they were tactile.

[sartorias]

Oh, that's interesting about not liking picture books! I was kind of halfway there--I wouldn't read one if I hated the artwork. But I reread ones with lovely art, even if the story was meh.

[asakiyume]

Good to see you!

I liked several Dr. Seuss books--Horton Hears a Who, for instance, which got made into a fun short movie, and the 500 Hats one that you mention, and also a collection of mini stories in one book that included a story about "a pair of pants with nobody inside 'em." But I did also like Green Eggs and Ham and even The Cat in the Hat. I worried for the fish in that book, and I didn't think the kids seemed to be having much fun, but I liked the machine the cat had that picked up everything. But I can **definitely** understand how the story would make a person anxious.

[sartorias]

That machine was definitely a saving grace!

[filkferengi]

Here's a fun Dr. Seuss song for you: https://tomsmith.bandcamp.com/track/500-hats

It's free to listen to, & the lyrics are there, too.

[sartorias]

Thanks!