Why did Dr. Seuss stop publishing six children’s book titles?
Theodor Seuss Geisel was an author who published children’s books from the 1920’s – 1980’s. He wrote many inspiring books such as “Oh the places you’ll go” often given as graduation gifts. However, some of Dr. Seuss’s books were riddled with racist imagery. Concerns for these books have been raised for years. Yesterday was Read Across America Day, a day inspiring children to read and famous authors are recognized. After years of pointing out the flaws in his children’s literature, the Dr. Seuss Enterprise acknowledged several titles which “portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.” Therefore, the following titles will no longer be printed or published including: “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “If I Ran the Zoo,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!,” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.” However, some argue this is more cancel culture, essentially erasing that these books were once published. The American Library Association opposes literary censorship. The counter point is that instead of erasing these books as if they never existed, instead move literature like this and others to a different part of the library where conversations can occur about this part of history. Allowing for conversations to occur around social justice without erasing the fact that these impressionable children’s books existed for decades. What will come of these Dr. Seuss titles? Will they never be seen again or will they be moved to the history section of the library? Consider looking at literature with a different lens.