It’s fair to say Dr Seuss is one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time. But have you ever wondered about the man behind books like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham? Here are 13 fun Dr Seuss facts you may not know.
Dr Seuss lived from 1904 to 1991, was married twice, and his books have become some of the most popular children’s stories ever written. Characters like Sam I Am, the Lorax, Thing 1 and Thing 2, the Grinch and the ever-popular Cat in the Hat have been loved by generations of children. But did you know we’ve probably all been pronouncing his name wrong? Read on to find out more.
Weird and Wacky Dr Seuss Facts
#1. His surname isn’t Seuss
Dr Seuss is actually Theodor Seuss Geisel, or Ted for short.
#2. We’ve all been pronouncing his name wrong!
Seuss isn’t pronounced to rhyme with “Zeus”, as most people say it. It actually rhymes with “voice” — so it’s “Soyce”!
#3. His dad was a brewmaster and a zoomaster!
When Prohibition came into effect in 1920, Geisel’s father became superintendent of Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts, which included looking after the park’s zoo.
“That zoo is where I learned whatever I know about animals.” – Ted Geisel
#4. Dr Seuss isn’t a real doctor
He studied at Oxford, England, planning to complete a PhD in Literature. While there, he met his first wife, and the pair returned to the USA, where he worked for a magazine and then in advertising. He added “Dr” to his pen name partly because his father had always hoped he would study medicine.
#5. His first children’s book was inspired by the rhythm of a ship’s engines
He came up with his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, in 1936 while travelling to Europe by ship.
#6. 43 publishers rejected his first book
Eventually, in 1937, a friend agreed to publish And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street for him, and it went on to modest success.
#7. Geisel won a Legion of Merit in WWII
Geisel joined the army during the Second World War and was sent to Hollywood. As Captain Geisel, he wrote for Frank Capra’s Signal Corps Unit, work for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
#8. He won three Oscars!
Two were for documentaries, Hitler Lives and Design for Death, and the third was for the animated short Gerald McBoing-Boing.
#9. 250 words inspired The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat came about after Geisel’s publisher challenged him to come up with 250 words that a first-grader could read and understand, then write a book using only those words.
#10. Green Eggs and Ham was the result of a bet
Someone bet Geisel $50 that he couldn’t write an entire book using only fifty different words. Green Eggs and Ham was the result!
#11. The Grinch was a flop when it first came out
It’s now one of the most-loved Christmas stories for families, but when it was first released, critics at Variety panned it.
#12. He was a big fan of hats — just like the Cat!
Rumour has it that at one point he owned over 300 hats.
#13. One of his most treasured possessions was a real dinosaur footprint
His father had gifted him a fossilised dinosaur footprint, roughly 16 inches long and 11 inches wide. The footprint came from a Massachusetts shale pit and was estimated to be around 150 million years old. Geisel was struck by its age and by the size of the creature that must have made it.
“It keeps me from getting conceited,” he once said. “Whenever I think I’m pretty good, I just go out and look at it.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dr Seuss’s real name?
Dr Seuss was born Theodor Seuss Geisel, known to friends and family as Ted.
How do you actually pronounce “Seuss”?
Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t rhyme with “Zeus” — it rhymes with “voice”.
Was Dr Seuss a real doctor?
No. He studied at Oxford but never completed a doctorate. He added “Dr” to his pen name, partly as a nod to his father’s hope that he would study medicine.
What was Dr Seuss’s first published children’s book?
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, published in 1937 after being turned down by 43 publishers.
*How many words did Dr Seuss use to write Green Eggs and Ham?*
Just fifty — the result of a $50 bet that he couldn’t do it.
You May Also Enjoy
- 50 Inspiring Dr Seuss Quotes You’ll Love
- Dr Seuss: A Favourite Children’s Author
- Discover the Top 10 Kids’ Books from the USA Today Bestseller List
Did you know any of these fun Dr Seuss facts already? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
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