After Dr. Suess, who’s next?

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This was the first children’s book published by Dr. Seuss,  Theodor Seuss Geisel

As a baby shower gift, we received a large compilation of Dr. Seuss books in one heavy volume. My husband loved Mulberry Street and read that nightly to our son. I think the attraction to the story was a young boy with a vivid imagination coming up with a story to tell his dad. It was a father son story.

Today I learned the book will no longer be published and Dr. Seuss is banned from many schools altogether. This cancel culture is taking the joy out of simple pleasures. The banning is because of racial overtones or is it undertones? I can’t keep up.

I long ago sent that volume of Seuss books to our local thrift shot benefitting Angel View Crippled Children’s Homes. I regret it. I’d like to read the books again and see what’s so offensive. I don’t remember anything except little squiggly hairs on creatures that weren’t quite human or animals.

I remember the first books I read. “One Fish, Two Fish,” and “Green Eggs and Ham” and “Cat in the Hat.” I was so proud to be able to read on my own.

I went on Amazon this morning and there was one copy of Mulberry Street left. For a hefty price of over $20. I then clicked onto ebay and found the book being sold for as much as $140! Oh well.

I’ve read that Gone With the Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird have been banned from schools. I googled book banning and learned of lists of books that have been banned for decades from people from all sorts of points of views. My opinion is strongly against any and all book banning — by anyone for any reason. At least I can’t think of a reason why I’d support banning books. Here’s a list of banned books through the years along with the reasons.

 

And To Think I saw it on Mulberry Street

by Dr. Seuss

When I leave home to walk to school,

Dad always says to me,

“Marco, keep your eyelids up

And see what you can see.”

But when I tell him where I’ve been

And what I think I’ve seen,

He looks at me and sternly says,

“Your eyesight’s much too keen.”

“Stop telling such outlandish tales.

Stop turning minnows into whales.”

Now, what can I say

when I get home today?

All the long way to school

And all the way back,

I’ve looked and I’ve looked

And I’ve kept careful track.

But all that I’ve noticed, Except my own feet

Was a horse and a wagon on Mulberry Street.

That’s nothing to tell of,

That won’t do, of course….

Just a broken-down wagon

That’s drawn by a horse.

That can’t be my story. That’s only a start.

I’ll say that a ZEBRA was pulling that cart!

And that is a story that no one can beat,

When I say that I saw it on Mulberry Street.

The beginning of “And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street” by Dr. Seuss

21 thoughts on “After Dr. Suess, who’s next?”

  1. Thanks for posting the list of banned books.
    Some of those were required reading for us, in English courses.
    The times are changing….⚘

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    • Many were required reading for my son who was born in 1993. Our daughter is three years younger and none were on her high school reading list. Only non fiction.

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  2. I’m so over all of this that I’ve totally stopped listening. Things have moved on to the ridiculous side.🤦‍♀️ Dr. Suess, who’s next indeed?

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    • I feel like we’re living in Communist China. If you haven’t read Red Scarf Girl, it’s worth a read. It’s an actual account of a young girl caught up in China’s Cultural Revolution. It’s very chilling and way too close to home.

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  3. Yeah. This out me over the edge. I almost blogged it but I didn’t think I could do it while keeping my PG13 rating. But yet….we allow WAP…

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    • How does anyone think this is okay? I talked to my son about it and he said he did remember some racist Asian illustrations. But he didn’t believe in banning any books. I read this on Twitter: “There is not a single person who lived 80 years ago who did not have views that our culture would find objectionable today. Not one. Either we cancel everyone who committed the crime of being born in the 20th century or earlier, or we stop this madness and get some perspective.”

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      • That’s a great quote. I just can’t stand this anymore. There are so many lessons in the Dr. Seuss books. I’ve had enough of all of this. Let’s concentrate on fixing the problems that already exist instead of creating new ones out if nothing. We are all offended at something. We get over it.

  4. Your post came up in my reader…I totally agree with you. Do they think we cannot pick what we want to read or not to read? I don’t need anyone babysitting me or my choice. Do they not have anything better to do than this? Great post.

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      • I’m just glad to see other people upset about it. They thought about doing away with Mr. Potato Head also…it’s insane.

      • The fact that the majority is our country doesn’t know about it — or does and doesn’t care — is totally frightening!

      • Yes that is the scary part. I wish I knew who to complain to or something to do…I just don’t know what?

  5. Last week it was Mr Potato Head..this week Dr. Suess..it seems silly to “go to war” over these things and yet one can feel us sliding down the slippery slope. Last summer the statues, this summer the libraries? Where do we draw the line?

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      • Honestly, I don’t know..write letters? This is where “organizers” of large internet posses have the upper hand..they contact a company, threaten a week of lousy press, protests and boycotts… the company realizes the group has a big online presence and they give in without a fight.

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