Talk:Dr. Seuss

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[edit] Great Page

This entry is one of the best in Wikipedia, with a great exposition that is remarkably clear on the meter that he wrote in. The thing about his "Heir, Typhon" is wierd and should be checked up on.

agreed, i removed the sentence till it gets verified. sounds highly erroneous. "He left behind one heir, Typhon." --Quiddity 23:40, 14 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Wikiquote

I've taken out the conspicuous box pointing the reader to the Wikiquote article, replacing it with an ordinary link.

My reasoning is: an editor ought to use formatting to highlight those external links that are considerably more useful and important than the others. The Wikiquote entry on Seuss is fine, but not really head and shoulders above the other external links. To favor Wikiquote just because it is our own project is like running a company store, and I'm opposed to that.

I did this very change a couple weeks ago and was reverted by User:Zanimum, who claimed (on my talk page) that it is official Wikipedia policy that Wikiquote links must be accompanied by the box. I asked Zanimum where this policy was enacted, and (s)he has not replied, despite my later request for a reply. I've looked around myself for such policy. All I can find is a casual discussion of the question, certainly no formal vote.

So I'll assume that there is no policy of the kind Zanimum claimed. If someone wants to take a vote here on whether we should keep the box, of course I will abide by it. Opus33 14:35, 16 Sep 2004 (UTC)

I had no intention of "reverting" your change, by the way. I simply wandered onto the page, and tried to improve it as best I could. I didn't know there had been a disagreement on this point here.

The reason Eloquence and Zanimum and I all put the Wikiquote box in, is that that's the standard method of linking to Wikiquote. This gives all of Wikipedia a unified look. It's not a written policy at this point, mostly because no one had disagreed with having that box until now.

All the major pages have this box, from Aristotle to Oscar Wilde to Kurt Cobain to the Bible. There's a reason. If you don't like the box, or you think it can be made better, the best place to bring this up is on Template talk:Wikiquote. But please stop reverting an edit that multiple people have independently supported. – Quadell ^{(talk) (help)}[[]] 00:11, Sep 20, 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Go, Dog, Go! authorship

I may be wrong, but I think the book Go! Dog! Go! was written bt Dr. Seuss, yet it is missing from the article. I can't but if anyone can, please fix it. Howabout1 18:02, 5 Mar 2005 (UTC)

It looks like Go! Dog! Go! was written by P.D. Eastman Amazon listing Dismas 18:36, 5 Mar 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Changes 9/25/05

Reverted "poetry style" to "meters", which is much more specific. There already is a link in this section to help out people who don't know what a meter is.
Accidentally-removed insect section restored
Altered amusement park section to avoid the POV phrase "come alive".
Removed a duplicate link and a link that gave no info about Dr. Seuss

Opus33 14:49, 25 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Race and verification

i reverted a user's addition claiming that Seuss had jewish parents, as i could find no mention on the web. However i did find this quote in a biography, stating that he received a plaque for contributions to "worldwide literacy" and was made an "Honourary Jew" by the mayor of Jerusalem in 1969 amazon book search p222 of Dr. Seuss & Mr. Geisel: A Biography by Judith Morgan. someone is welcome to add this info in an appropriate place.

I also think the statement later on in the page, "Dr. Seuss did not like publicity...." needs verification/reference. --Quiddity 18:39, 16 November 2005 (UTC)

i removed the whole paragraph. it needs at least to be verified/expanded, and placed somewhere other than right after his date of death. (quoted below) --Quiddity 23:48, 14 January 2006 (UTC)

"Dr. Seuss did not like publicity. This may have been due to his German ancestry; as a schoolboy during World War I, his classmates used to nickname him "The Kaiser"."

I know he didn't allow movies and special editions of his books and was weary about cartoons. After his death his wife sort of let loose on his stuff. 65.25.155.252 02:27, 10 March 2006 (UTC)dan

[edit] Brazilian Dictator

Geisel is the name of a dictator from Militar regime in Brazil. I think making a topic about him would be great. This ditator killed lots of people and NEEDS to be in Wikipedia.

There has been an article already but a link was missing. Go to Geisel and choose the dictator's name.

[edit] Dr. Seuss' World War 2 cartoons

Greetings. I added an external link about Dr. Seuss' political cartoons in World War. Click hereto check it out! I saw this site on the news awhile back. You can source it to the main body of this article if anyone wants to. -James 07:31, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

Hello, there already was a link to this site, just a few lines above. Opus33 16:10, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Copyright Infringement

The entire Life and Works section of this page is just copied and pasted from the following URL: [1]. We should probably look into completely rewriting it, since this is copyrighted material and the website isn't even listed in Further Reading or References.TheTomato 17:57, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

No worries, Tomato--they plagiarized us. I've sent a complaint. Opus33 18:21, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

Okay, cool, I was just making sure it was at least known there were two identical articles. Sorry if I sounded mean, just trying to help out. TheTomato 00:26, 22 February 2006 (UTC)

Not mean at all. Your vigilance is appreciated. Opus33 02:52, 22 February 2006 (UTC)

On the subject of copyright infringement... Some of his works (those before 1955) should be in the public domain, right, because copyright is held for 50 years? Is there a website that has them? I ask because I can't seem to find the text of an old Dr. Seuss book I like, "And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street." Arthur_toafk 09:08, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

Sadly no, The US laws are "the life of the author plus seventy years". Public_domain#United_States_law. For published works, the rough guide is "pre-1923". --Quiddity 19:37, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "No longer able?"

This statement in the article begs clarification: Seuss generally maintained this meter quite strictly, up to late in his career, when he was no longer able to maintain strict rhythm in all lines. No longer able to maintain strict rhythm? Why not? Was he running out of rhymes, or going senile, or what? - Brian Kendig 15:24, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Attitude Toward Japanese

I'm a little disappointed in what seems to come close to POV with respect to Geisel's views on Japanese people and the internment issue. There seems to be an assumption here that his cartoons take a positive view toward internment but an acknowledgement that he was much more progressive on racial issues in general. Isn't this reason enough to look for an alternative explanation of his cartoons on Japanese people around the time of intermnment? I think he ought to be given the benefit of the doubt that he's being consistent. Since I can think of a fairly obvious explanation for this consistency, it seems POV to assume he's taking one stance that his cartoons don't demonstrate. The explanation that occurs to me is that he's not portraying Japanese people as he thought they really were but was parodying the popular mindset. Someone we would now consider to be progressive would look at these cartoons and think they portray something ridiculous. Couldn't it be that that's the reaction he was hoping to elicit? --Parableman 20:58, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

The cartoons are very clearly racist, and are definetly not parodies. The are three years worth of cartoons here, and there is a consistent steryotyping of japanese in a non sarcastic manner. For example, if you look at the cartoons for February 13, 1942, or October 13, 1942, they are definetly not parodies. If you look through his other cartoons, the parodies are obvious with critical commentary of the lampooned speaker. If you read his cartoons it is very obvious what his meanings are, and it is irresonsible to try and rationalize his racisism towards the Japanese. September 9, 2006 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.85.177.86 (talk • contribs) .

[edit] Interview with Chris Cerf, questions wanted

Got a question for Chris Cerf? Cerf worked with Dr. Seuss at Random House during the 1960s. Post your questions before 25 April 2005. -- Zanimum 18:11, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Title

Why is this article under Doctor Seuss when he never, to my knowledge, wrote it any other way than Dr. Seuss? Powers 12:44, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

User:Netkinetic moved it arbitrarily last night, with a minor edit tag, and no rationale given. I'll move it back and leave a note. --Quiddity 20:58, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

My apologies gents. It wasn't an arbitrary move (please WP:AGF) however it wasn't explained in my summary. If consensus feels it is appropriate as Dr. I respectfully concede the point. Netkinetic 01:27, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

I was just wondering. It seemed odd to me, plus it created a double-redirect (Dr. Suess -> Dr. Seuss -> Doctor Seuss). 'sall good, you were WP:BOLD and all that, I just disagreed. =) Powers 02:13, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

I add my name to those who would like it to read "Dr. Seuss." This is how Dr. Seuss wrote it. Opus33 19:19, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Stamp image

The image of the postage stamp currently at the top the article does not appear to meet WP's fair-use guidelines. I believe stamps are only supposed to be used to illustrate an article (or section) about the stamp itself, not the subject of the stamp. Comments? Powers 17:20, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

I'd be sad to see it go. Whoever put it up had a very clever idea in that it made it possible to post images of Seuss characters while - perhaps - lessening the chance of getting into copyright trouble. I assume the image belongs to the U.S. Postal Service, and not to Seuss's heirs.

Can you give a reference for that policy? Opus33 19:19, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

Guidline, actually. I don't think it's part of the official policy, which is why an exception may be allowable here. (And I agree it's an excellent choice of image, fair use issues aside.) However, the copyright template on the image page Image:US postal service dr seuss.jpg specifically says that the use of postage stamps "to illustrate the stamp in question (as opposed to things appearing in the stamp's design)" is believed to be fair use, implying that other usages are not. Powers 19:38, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

I'm wondering if the image of the stamp may violate U.S. counterfeiting laws. Shouldn't there be a slash across the denomination, or some other voiding/cancellation mark?65.213.220.62 15:51, 21 September 2006 (UTC)databoyecho@aol.com

[edit] Name

Name should be either Dr. Seuss or Theodor Geisel. Definitely not a mixture of the two. He was neither a PhD or an MD and is not known by the name Dr. Theodore Seuss Giesel. Sorry about that. gidonb 23:26, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

Completely agree.

That move was by User:Elmo12456 (who i see has past warnings about moving pages without discussing). It left a number of dbl redirects. I moved it back, and left another msg on his talk page. Possibly he needs an official warning or something. not my specialty. --Quiddity 23:58, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

Thank you for your prompt action! Regards, gidonb 00:12, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] apostrophe issues

theres a chronic misuse or of possessive apostrophes in this article John (1 John) Johns (Two Johns) John's (Belonging to one John) Johns' (Belonging to multiple Johns) Its not Seuss's (even thought some of the books themselves title him as such) within the context of the article its gotta be Seuss' (s-apostrophe) i fixed a bunch, but some are still the wrong way! Qrc2006 22:41, 28 May 2006 (UTC)

Per WP:MOS:

Possessives of singular nouns ending in s may be formed with or without an additional s. Either form is generally acceptable within Wikipedia. However, if either form is much more common for a particular word or phrase, follow that form, such as with "Achilles' heel" and "Jesus' tears".

As such, and considering that the book titles use "Seuss's", we probably ought to use that form throughout the article. Powers 02:29, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The Bennett Cerf rumor and consistency

I've read in various places (including on his wikipage) that the Bennett Cerf bet has never been substantiated as true. It might want to be reflected as such here unless someone has a source of truth to the rumour TheHYPO 01:00, 12 June 2006 (UTC)

The wiki articles on Bennett Cerf and Dr. Seuss link to each other and each mentions the bet. In the Cerf article, the rumor is described as "probably untrue". But this is contradicted in the Seuss article, where only Cerf's failure to pay is called "untrue." Thus, the Seuss article implies that the bet did occur while the Cerf article refutes it. What's going on? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 160.129.71.83 (talk • contribs) .

[edit] Halloween Is Grinch Night

Halloween Is Grinch Night is not listed with the TV specials. Should we list it? 67.188.172.165 16:24, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Question

It says in this article that Dr. Seuss once wrote a spoof of Technocracy. I recently bought a huge Depression-era oil painting that looks almost like a giant political cartoon. The painting is called the Technocrats and it spoofs the Technocracy movement, but who painted it is a mystery. Now I am wondering if Dr. Seuss might have painted it. Anyone have any idea whom I should ask? Itwoud make a wonderful addition to his oeuvre. It was discovered in a Chicago antique store and clearly dates to the 30's. nemo1043 at yahoo dot com —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Nemo1043 (talk • contribs) .

You might want to ask at the reference desk. =) Powers ^T 13:31, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Jewish

I'm sure this has been mentioned before, but was Dr. Seuss/Theodore Geisel Jewish? He was listed in The Big Book of Jewish Humor. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 66.214.200.130 (talk • contribs) .

As far as I know, he was German. Powers ^T 16:04, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

What does that have to do with it? German is a nationality, Jewish is a religious affiliation. --Quiddity 17:54, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

"German" and "Jewish" are also ethnicities. I didn't know which one 66 meant. Powers ^T 19:24, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Seuss vs. Geisel

Currently the article mostly uses "Seuss" when referring to the good Dr. by last name, but it (properly) starts off using "Geisel". There are a few inconsistencies, but those are easily fixed. However, I would argue that it would be best to use "Geisel" throughout. "Seuss" was only ever a pen name, and he used a few others (in particlar, "Theo. LeSieg"). Thoughts? Powers ^T 18:06, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Why was the "Meters" section removed?

It's one of the best features of the article, and someone took it out in early Sept 06. I just put it back.

Mark Foskey 01:39, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] WWII propaganda cartoons...

Is it worth mentioning that his anti-Japanese cartoons were also horrifically racist? elvenscout742 21:38, 28 October 2006 (UTC)

"Horrifically" is POV, but it is mentioned under "Politics". Powers ^T 15:19, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

That's my word that I'm allowed use on the talk page, right? elvenscout742 10:32, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes, but I meant that we cannot mention "his anti-Japanese cartoons were ... horiffically racist." You can mention it, but we can't mention it in the article -- which is what I assumed you meant. Powers ^T 02:49, 3 November 2006 (UTC)

Wait, no it's not mentioned - that section portrays him as a civil rights activist who opposed fascism and racism in all its forms (Japan and the Japanese/Japanese-Americans are not mentioned once), but if you look at some of the other editorial cartoons they themselves reflect quite well the racist, anti-Japanese propaganda of the time. This one, for instance, goes after Americans of Japanese descent (note that it was printed on February 13, days before Executive Order 9066). elvenscout742 10:40, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

"Seuss' racist treatment of the Japanese and of Japanese Americans[2], mentioned above, has struck many readers as a strange moral blind spot in a generally idealistic man." Powers ^T 02:49, 3 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Removed text

I have edited out some duplicated stuff and also several paragraphs that seemed to be lifted from the back cover of his biography. The text is below if anyone is interested, but it added nothing and probably violated WP:POV and/or WP:CITE. Matt Deres 23:32, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

Dr. Seuss's Biography A person's a person, no matter how small," Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, would say. "Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted."

Brilliant, playful, and always respectful of children, Dr. Seuss charmed his way into the consciousness of four generations of youngsters and parents. In the process, he helped millions of kids learn to read.

Dr. Seuss was born Theodor Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 2, 1904. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1925, he went to Oxford University, intending to acquire a doctorate in literature. At Oxford, Geisel met Helen Palmer, whom he wed in 1927. Upon his return to America later that year, Geisel published cartoons and humorous articles for Judge, the leading humor magazine in America at the time. His cartoons also appeared in major magazines such as Life, Vanity Fair, and Liberty. Geisel gained national exposure when he won an advertising contract for an insecticide called Flit. He coined the phrase, "Quick, Henry, the Flit!" which became a popular expression.

Geisel developed the idea for his first children's book in 1936 while on a vacation cruise. The rhythm of the ship's engine drove the cadence to And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.

During World War II, Geisel joined the Army and was sent to Hollywood where he wrote documentaries for the military. During this time, he also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing which won him an Oscar.

The Cat in the Hat is born

In May of 1954, Life published a report on illiteracy among schoolchildren, suggesting that children were having trouble reading because their books were boring. This problem inspired Geisel's publisher, prompting him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important for children to learn. The publisher asked Geisel to cut the list to 250 words and use them to write an entertaining children's book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him, published The Cat in the Hat, which brought instant success.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1984 and three Academy Awards, Geisel authored and illustrated 44 children's books. His enchanting stories are available as audiocassettes, animated television specials, and videos.

While Theodor Geisel died on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss lives on, inspiring generations of children of all ages to explore the joys of reading.

[edit] The Dr. Seuss Wiki(To add as Link)

I think it would be a good idea to add this:

http://seuss.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

As a link. while still very small, it's slowly growing quite a bit. Any, what do ya think? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by MisterMarioMan (talk • contribs) .

[edit] Vandalism

Hi, I realize this is almost certainly the wrong place to mention this, but I just noticed that the first section reads "better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss, was a doucehbag American writer and cartoonist.". I'm assuming that the vandal meant 'douchebag', but obviously the correct spelling wouldn't make the comment any more legitimate. Anyhoo - just hoped to call someone's attention to it. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.232.40.130 (talk • contribs) .

Thanks, but that vandalism was reverted within three minutes of it appearing in the article -- and twelve minutes before you posted the above message. Also, since this is a wiki, you could have reverted the vandalism yourself when you saw it. Powers ^T 14:52, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Seuss-related Userboxes

The editors here might be interested in several new userboxes, as follows:

This user DOES like Green Eggs and Ham.

(Caption reads: This user DOES like Green Eggs and Ham.) Code: {{User:EReference/UserboxGreenEggs}}

This user DOES NOT like Green Eggs and Ham.

(Caption reads: This user DOES NOT like Green Eggs and Ham.) Code: {{User:EReference/UserboxNoGreenEggs}}

This user MIGHT like Green Eggs and Ham if these were permitted by Jewish & Biblical dietary laws.

(Caption reads: This user MIGHT like Green Eggs and Ham if these were permitted by Jewish & Biblical dietary laws.) Code: {{User:EReference/UserboxKosherGreenEggs}}

This user would gladly eat Green Eggs and Ham for Easter dinner but not during Lent, Advent, and Fridays.

(Caption reads: This user would gladly eat Green Eggs and Ham for Easter dinner but not during Lent, Advent, and Fridays.) Code: {{User:EReference/UserboxKosherGreenEggs}}

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