Oh, How Literature Makes The World A Better, Do-Gooder Place! - My Thanks To Dr. Seuss

Children are those most influenced by literature. Children may not read novels and analyze them to the extent that we have grown to do, rather they learn and become emotionally connected to the picture books that taught them to read, their numbers, and fundamental feel good life lessons. As young adults, we as individuals lose the emotional attachment we once held to the stories we read, and we wander from the sentimental aspect which allows us to truly reflect upon our readings. We are no longer impressionable. We are no longer a blank slate, ready to be vandalized by the colours that youth literature provides. The dense novels that we skim throughout our busy lives today, simply do not compare to the light hearted books complete with silly rhymes and eccentric illustrations that we once read as children. Dr. Seuss has influenced nearly every living North American for this reason. He has introduced millions of children to the joys of reading and the wizardry of wordplay. Though many may argue that it is literature that reflects the world, I stand by the contrary. It is books such as those produced by Dr. Seuss ( written to convey moral teachings broken down into lively rhymes from a child's point of view ), that continue to shape and reinforce positive teachings on lives of our society.

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street

Exaggeration is among the most common trait that a child may possess. Children are frequently told to squander their imaginative ways to avoid the concept of lying further down the road. This unfortunately doesn’t allow for creative freedom nor expression that children so desperately crave. Leave it to Dr. Suess to produce a story that honours a child’s creativity whilst re-affirming the importance of staying truthful. And in his first children’s book none the less!

If you are un familiar with this classic, award winning story, the plot is as follows. A young boy named Marco is accused of having an overreactive imagination. He is the type of boy to ‘turn minnows into whales’. On a long walk down Mulberry street, Marco admits to have only seen a horse and cart but that just doesn’t satisfy his imagination. He then starts to envision fantastical scenes surrounding the horse and cart, and looks forward to sharing this tale with his father. Upon returning home Marco is asked what he saw on his walk, to the readers surprise he replies “Nothing… but a plain horse and a wagon on Mulberry street”.

As readers we know that this is simply not the case, yet we can interpret the reasoning behind Marco’s decision. Marco owns his creativity and imagination, however he was able to realize the truth through the chaos. As a young girl, I would often idealize situations and experiences. I would turn piles of sand into mountains, and puddles into oceans. Though I came from a place of pure intent, it was through books and teachings similar to those found in this picture book that I learned the truth from my imagination.

I thank Dr. Suess for accepting my creativity, and teaching me sincerity.

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky you Are?

In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Just tell yourself Duckie, you’re real quite lucky! Some people are much more… oh, ever so much more… oh, muchly much-much more unlucky than you!” This profound book, tells the story of an old man sharing his wisdom about life’s journey to a young boy, by telling him to remember that many other people lead much more challenging and troublesome lives. In a sense, this light hearted story reminds us to count our lucky stars.

As a child, I would perceive the ‘unlucky’ situations in this story as they were cleverly depicted in the traditional manner of the wacky rhymes and illustrations of Dr. Suess. Weather that be the unfortunate soul living in ‘Ga-Zair’ whose bedroom is ‘up here’ and whose bedroom was ‘up there’ (alluding to the illustration featuring two distant rooms connected by many complex staircases), or ‘poor Mr. Potter’ the man whose job is to cross T’s and dot I’s. How boring! Many children, young and old, often believe that they are deserving of pity and failure for whatever deplorable reason. I would believe this was true about myself, in the silliest of situations. For example, being asked to stay indoor during recess to tidy the class ( given that, that was my class chore for the week ) made me feel like the whole world was against me. Through this story in particular I became aware of all my blessings and just how lucky I, as well as every other child was.

I thank Dr. Suess for reminding me that I have every right to be lucky and succeed.

Mr. Brown can MOO! Can You?

It should remain obvious that children produce sounds before forming coherent phrases and words. This makes it all the more important to embrace and congratulate young ones on their fundamental abilities, even those as simple as producing the sound of a cow. Written through the traditional rhyme and clap back manner as many children books are, this book challenges and engages the reader.

As indicated in the title the book features a man named Mr. Brown producing numerous sounds using his mouth, in a fashion that challenges the reader to mimic his noises. As a young girl, this was the first book I was independently able to read. I owned two board book copies, that I would take to and from ballet and piano lessons, and one hard cover that I would beg my parents to assist me in reading each night. I remember giggling with my parents at bed time over the ridiculous sounds that I, as well as Mr. Brown, would be able to generate. Though the story follows no real concrete plot, this book is one of my most favourite to this day. I am sure I am not alone in saying that this book signifies some of the most heartfelt childhood memories through my lifetime.

I thank Dr. Suess for introducing me to the world of literature and expressive sounds.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go

Today is YOUR day! Something all children aged 1-100 shall never forget. Though as children we may have failed to realize the importance of our journey through life, this touching and truthful story teaches us that we are on to great things, that is we do not give up. This eye-opening classic depicts themes of exploration, disappointment, choices, and the most essential being perseverance.

We are in control of our future, consequentially, this means who we chose to associate with, where we choose to go, and how we choose to get there mold us into the unique and immaculate individuals we are today; and will become.

This tale reminds us that struggle is normal and shall not be seen as a negative experience, furthermore reminds us that it is the way we overcome our challenges that define who we are. Children must be educated on this rudimentary teaching in order to succeed. Dr. Seuss seamlessly presents this principle in a creative and insightful manner that may be enjoyed at any age. Not only is it a great teaching tool (as it depicts the journey of life), the story remains relatable to literally everyone; to a different degree of course. Speaking from personal experience, it was my second grade teacher, Anna, that introduced me to this story. She saw true potential in me, and in combination with this book, she didn't fail to remind me of that. I was lucky enough to have figures like her and Dr. Seuss in my life.

I thank Dr. Suess for reminding me that I am off to great places’ and that disappointment is ok.

The Sneetches

We all come in different shapes and sizes, and funny enough, society has labeled some shapes and sizes more desirable than the others. As a young girl (speaking from personal experience), I was constantly being compared to others and deemed better or worse than them. Lucky enough to be resistant against the pressures of society, I often questioned why others cared so much about things so irrelevant and were willing to conform to the demands of society. This theme is seen through one of my personal favourite Dr. Seuss stories. If you are un familiar with the insightful tale of ‘The Sneetches’ the plot is as follows.

The land of Sneetches (yellow creatures) was segregated into two class groups. The star-belly Sneetches that believe they are the best, and look down onto Sneetches without stars. The plain-belly Sneetches remain oppressed and prohibited from associating with their star-bellied equivalents. That is until Sylvester McMonkey McBean comes along with his Star-on and Star-off machines. These machines allow the plain-belly Sneetches to add stars to their own bellies, vanishing the hierarchy between the two classes. Of course, the original star-belly Sneetches can not stand feeling equal to their counterparts and therefore remove their stars. This on going battle of individuality continues, until the Sneetches finally come to the understanding that they can be companions and each others equals whilst maintaining their own uniqueness. As cleverly depicted through one of Dr. Suess’ lesser discussed stories, neither trait, desirable or lack there of is truly deemed superior. Rather it is the uniqueness and rarity of the trait that reflects its superficial superiority.

I thank Dr. Seuss for teaching me that we are all equal, and that the superficial things such as green stars on our bellies do not define us.

Green Eggs and Ham

It is apparent that many children will turn their noses up to new foods that resemble an odd colour or smell. This practice of avoiding the unknown translates into adult life if it is not addressed at the proper age. Weather the issue be trying new food, or trying a new sport there is no point in disregarding new opportunities and labeling them with out at least giving them a go. As cheekily portrayed through this story (to which I assume everyone is familiar with), Dr. Seuss is able to disprove harsh judgements and open ones eyes to a world or new foods; ones that he was not willing to try.

Aside from negatively questioning the unknown children, as innocent as they are, instinctually will start to pass pessimistic judgments on the world around them. By being taught that this is unavoidable, yet not always correct, they learn to accept and appreciate more of their surroundings.

I thank Dr. Seuss for teaching me to experience the unknown and keep and open mind.

So Thank you, Dr. Seuss, for teaching me this…

That my imagination is great, its greater than great! its the greatest of the gifts and its that I shall know, it will allow me to see things and it will allow me to grow.

Apart from that I shall always remember, my wrongs from my rights, my truths from my lies, my blessings and chances that I may have in my life.

Without the knowledge that you have taught

about weather to sulk or weather to not

or weather to go left or to take a sharp right

or weather to flee or weather to fight

I’d be lost, well not completely that’s for sure, just a few steps behind him and her.

I thank you for making reading ever so fun

especially as a child when I felt ever so dumb.

You encouraged me to realize how so specially special we all are

regardless of a small little tiny green star

You remind us that no mater the time or place

we all amount to something apart from our face.

You teach us to acknowledge all of our gifts

our abilities

our firsts

and even our fifths

You’ve taught the world to be kind and to love it right back

you’ve made the world a better place and I thank you for that.