Theodore Seuss Geisel (1904–1991), beloved children writer and illustrator Dr. Seuss, was born on this day in Springfield, Massachusetts. A brilliant artist with an outlandish sense of humor, he dared to be different. His first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected by over 40 publishers—yet he persisted, proving the power of imagination and determination.

“A person’s a person, no matter how small,” he wrote—offering young readers a lesson in respect and kindness.

The Cat in the Hat (1957) was written from a basic 225-word list. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957) gave us a morality tale with a character whose heart “was two sizes too small,” then grew with grace.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
~ Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

His 46 books continue to sell millions of copies worldwide. His rhymes help children hear and learn word similarities. His whimsical illustrations spark creativity, build confidence, and awaken the imagination—almost like looking through the wrong end of the telescope!

Dr. Seuss once wrote: “If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.” His stories celebrated play, joy, and the magic of thinking outside the box.

A 1984 Pulitzer Prize winner, he said: “Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained, and delighted.”

✨He was honored among the Top 100 Writers of the 20th Century. Click to explore the rest.