Libraries Remove Dr. Seuss Books from Shelves, but not in Springfield

Springfield, Massachussets--is the birthplace of Dr. Seuss. His fantastical world of make-believe is probably part of the magic of kids who are learning to read. Theodore Seuss Geisel lived from March 2, 1904–Sept. 24, 1991, and his legacy to make reading fun for kids will long outlast his lifetime. Geisel wrote more than 40 books, several have made the list of the best-selling children’s books of all-time: The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

Dr. Seuss' books inspire children around the world to read. His writing presented a sing-songy rhythm, often rhyming and creating new words that kids fell in love with. While kids struggle to pronounce words themselves, Dr. Seuss’ books are full of words few can pronounce correctly. Kids gain confidence to keep reading in spite of mispronunciations and are helped to keep reading in part by the bouncy meter.

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The Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts is committed to foster reading across cultures.

Some of our favorite Dr. Seuss books are ones we’ve read over and over with our kids: Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins.

Hard to believe that one so revered to inspire children everywhere to read can come under criticism for his efforts, yet it has happened. Dr. Seuss Enterprises has agreed to stop publishing six books that it finds offensive and having racial undertones.

The announcement is timed with Dr. Seuss’s birthday and nationwide reading celebrations across America, causing Seuss fans in Springfield to grimace. The NY Times says in a statement:

“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” Dr. Seuss Enterprises said in the statement. The business said the decision came after working with a panel of experts, including educators, and reviewing its catalog of titles.

And goes on to say:

In “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” a character described as “a Chinaman” has lines for eyes, wears a pointed hat, and carries chopsticks and a bowl of rice. (Editions published in the 1970s changed the reference from “a Chinaman” to “a Chinese man.”) In “If I Ran the Zoo,” two characters from “the African island of Yerka” are depicted as shirtless, shoeless and resembling monkeys.

Interestingly, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was the first book published under the pen name of Dr. Seuss and was highly praised upon its release. Other titles no longer being produced are McElligot’s Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs and The Cat’s Quizzer.

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Libraries Ponder Removing Seuss Selections from their Shelves

Across America and around the world, certain books written by Dr. Seuss are being removed from library shelves. The action comes after the Dr. Seuss Enterprises announcement to stop publishing targeted selections. Libraries have limited shelf space and regularly cull the shelves to remove titles that are not checked out often. They question: Should Dr. Seuss’ books be removed?

It's not a question in Springfield, where Dr. Seuss popularity continues to increase, but in other areas.

At least one Chicago library says yes, via Patrick Molloy, a spokesperson with the library, said in a statement:

“It is important to recognize that what society understands to be relevant and/or common knowledge changes over time, and so too does the Library and the needs of the communities it serves,” Patrick Molloy.

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Growing Controversy

Many classic books children have grown up reading are part of a growing trend to be scrutinized for distasteful beliefs held by traditional society.

The “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling, “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain are among other classic book titles listed as banned by school libraries. At least 25 classic books have been banned.

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s name has been removed from a prestigious award for dated attitudes, saying: “Her works reflect dated cultural attitudes toward Indigenous people and people of color that contradict modern acceptance, celebration, and understanding of diverse communities.”

One book, Babar’s Travels, was removed from the shelves of a British library in 2012 because of its alleged stereotypes of Africans. Classic books, once awarded medals and accommodations are being removed from shelves.

The silly monkey known as George of the Curious George series is also under criticism.

Likely, in Springfield, Seuss books stay on the shelves as the locals treasure the creations and their author.

But, literature once loved, revered, and noted as honorable falls under criticism in modern times.

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A Lasting Impact

Whatever tarnish has come to his reputation, Dr. Seuss remains popular. According to The Associated Press, Seuss’ books continue to generate significant revenue, an estimated $33 million before taxes in 2020, up from just $9.5 million five years ago, the company said. And Forbes listed him №2 on its highest-paid dead celebrities of 2020. The late pop star Michael Jackson holds the number one spot. In Springfield, Massachussets, Seuss' legacy seems sound.

As popular as Dr. Seuss’ name has become, you’ve likely been saying it wrong. Likely, you’ve been pronouncing it as a word that rhymes with goose or loose. If so, you’re in good company with millions of others who have been pronouncing his name the same way. And we’d all be wrong.

Huff Post shares a poem created by Seuss’ friend, Alexander Liang, for the correct pronunciation of his last name :

“You’re wrong as the deuce
And you shouldn’t rejoice
If you’re calling him Seuss.
He pronounces it Soice (or Zoice).”

Seuss embraced the alternate pronunciation, so don’t feel bad if you’ve been saying his name wrong. It’s a bit of Seuss trivia you may want to tuck away as a conversation piece.

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Tuck Away Titles You Enjoy

For you, dear reader, what does this mean? It’s hard to forecast, but it's likely that books you enjoy reading today will be scrutinized later. If you enjoy revisiting certain titles repeatedly, keep the books safely tucked away for preservation.

You may want to put them in a box as a time capsule of sorts. Books you enjoy today may be the very ones you have to make sure kids don’t take to school for show and tell later. You never know when the books you treasure will be found removed from shelves for unpopular views tomorrow. Times and values change and popularity is fleeting.

Greatness is subject to time. But, for Seuss, and at least in Springfield, Massachusetts, greatness continues to grow.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno says:

“In the spirit of acceptance and friendship, I will respect Dr. Seuss Enterprises request/decision based on what is perceived to be culturally insensitive depictions. We will all now move forward to highlight all the good Springfield’s own Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss has done and continues to do in promoting and making reading fun and enjoyable for all our children and their families no matter what creed, color, culture or background. We must always remember and never forget, if you can’t read, you can’t succeed. I look forward to our Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises continued beneficial partnership with the one and only in the world Dr. Seuss Museum right here in our Springfield.”

Photo source by Catherine Hammond on Unsplash

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