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Posts Tagged ‘Controversial Seuss’

It’s Seuss-ical!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on February 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »

HOP RIGHT IN!  

Happy Wacky Wednesday!

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2nd, 1904.  Here are some ‘grown-up’ facts about this amazing children’s author:

-He wrote under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg, Theophrastus Seuss, and even Rosetta Stone.

-Before publishing 46 children’s books, he was a political

That would be me, Liz, on Wacky Wednesday 2011! It's my favorite teaching day of the year!

cartoonist who was quite controversial.

-Many of his books have incredibly ‘grown-up’ themes such as communism, racism, environmentalism, dictatorship, and industrialization.

-His name is actually NOT pronounced in a way that rhymes with ‘goose.’  The original pronunciation is German and rhymes with ‘voice.’  He accepted the anglicized version that rhymes with ‘goose’, however.

-Dr. Seuss won an Academy Award for his 1947 Documentary Feature, Design for Death.

~Liz Comparetto

BOOKSHELF ESSENTIALS

The Sneetches and Other Stories

By: Dr. Seuss

(ISBN-10: 0394800893)

The Sneetches is a tale of racial equality for children and adults to enjoy every time they read it.  I never get tired of it!  Seuss had an amazing ability to make very ‘adult’ topics child-friendly and relatable.  This is a story, like many of his works, that can be used with a wide range of ages.  5 year olds love the names in the book, and can relate to the concept of ‘popular’ and ‘unpopular.’  Older children, as they develop their social skills, can relate to this story on a deeper level.  It can also be used with high school students who are learning about the Civil Rights Movement in American History.  This is, without a doubt, a book you should have on your home bookshelf!

The Butter Battle Book

By: Dr. Seuss

(ISBN-10: 0394865804)

This book is quite advanced, even for 5 year olds, yet they certainly can grasp the concept of ‘bigger isn’t always better.’  This story is actually about the Nuclear Arms Race and the Cold War, but is told in such a way that even Kindergarten students can appreciate the story.  Just as with The Sneetches, this book targets a very wide range of ages and developmental levels.  As an adult, I love reading these stories to children because I see into it a different way than they do, and the conversation that blossoms from his stories can be incredible.  This is another ‘must-have’ in your home library!

FAMILY FUN

I tried to narrow down the things I wanted to share with you about using Dr. Seuss and his books for family fun, but I just COULDN’T!!  There are too many ways to bring this amazing author and a love for literacy into your home!!  So, instead, I have been pinning Seuss ideas on our Pinterest board like a crazy woman 🙂  Go check it out for some Seuss-ical inspiration!

http://pinterest.com/savannahkidschs/seuss-ical-inspiration/

While you’re at it, follow us on Pinterest.com: SavannahKidsCHS!

 Ask Liz

I have had, literally, hundreds of parents ask me, over the years, which Seuss books are MUST-HAVES for their collection.  For this week’s Ask Liz, I’m going to lay it out my ‘Top 10’ for you.  Most of these are lesser-known gems and  they aren’t in any sort of order.   Enjoy!

For his complete bibliography, check out this link!

-Liz

1: Bartholomew and the Oobleck.  (Check out this previous blog post on how to make oobleck at home without wizards!)

2: The Butter Battle Book

3: Horton Hears A Who!

4: The Lorax (please read it before you see the movie!)

5: The Sneetches and Other Stories

6: Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

7: And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street (the FIRST Seuss children’s book!)

8: I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!  (A personal favorite!)

9: Wacky Wednesday

10: My Many Colored Days (this was published after he passed away, that’s why the illustrations aren’t his.)

Bubbling Bonuses

Our sister-blog, Diary of a Museum: The Story of Savannah Children’s Museum is a great behind-the-scenes scoop on what we’re doing to get Exploration Station ready for opening day!

We are running a special fundraising campaign for Leap Day!  Take the Leap and donate $29 on the 29th of February!  Head on over to our our fundraising site at http://scm.chsgeorgia.org for more information!  (It’s all tax deductible, by the way!  Bonus!!)

Thank you! Until next week,

~Liz

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