Read Across America celebrates Seuss as six books are retired

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Theodor Seuss Geisel, known by millions as Dr. Seuss, wrote some of America’s favorite books: “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

Educators in the 1990s agreed to turn Geisel’s March 2 birthday into Read Across America Day. It was celebrated throughout the week at Gibson Southern. 

Titans enjoyed different dress up days for five of Dr. Seuss’s books. Monday was Crazy Sock Day, Tuesday was Twin Day, on Wednesday students wore green, and Thursday was Favorite Hat Day. The week ended with College Shirt Day on Friday.

“I wore my favorite crazy socks on Monday,” sophomore Savannah Naas said. 

During the week of celebrations surrounding the renowned children’s’ book author, controversy erupted about some of Geisel’s titles. So far six books will no longer be published due to racist content, including Seuess’ first book, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.” The other books no longer being published include “McElligot’s Pool,” “If I Ran the Zoo,” “Scrambled Eggs Super,” “On Beyond Zebra,” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.” 

While these books will no longer be published, they are not banned, leaving fans of the author with conflicting opinions.

“I think they should be published,” sophomore Madilyn Sperling said. “It is a [style] of poetry that makes it understandable for kids and gives kids imagination.” 

There are others that believe Dr. Seuss Enterprises made the right decision to stop publishing the books.

“I am ok with these books not being published,” Gibson Southern librarian Jennifer Schneider said. “That order came from Dr. Seuss Enterprise, which is his board of advisers, so they took input from teachers and families to make this decision.” 

The prices of these six books are rising because publishing companies will no longer be making them. Individuals have started selling these six books on eBay and other websites for high prices knowing they will increase in value as the quantity of books diminishes.