Research Catalog

Becoming Dr. Seuss : Theodor Geisel and the making of an American imagination

Title
Becoming Dr. Seuss : Theodor Geisel and the making of an American imagination / Brian Jay Jones.
Author
Jones, Brian Jay
Publication
  • New York, New York : Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, [2019]
  • ©2019

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Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schwarzman Building to submit a request in person.

TextUse in library JFE 19-8048Schwarzman Building - Main Reading Room 315

Details

Description
483 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color); 24 cm
Summary
  • "The definitive, fascinating, all-reaching biography of Dr. Seuss: Dr. Seuss is a classic American icon. Whimsical and wonderful, his work has defined our childhoods and the childhoods of our own children. The silly, simple rhymes are a bottomless well of magic; his illustrations timeless favorites because, quite simply, they make us laugh. The Grinch, the Cat in the Hat, Horton, and so many more are his troupe of beloved and uniquely Seussian creations. Theodor Geisel, however, had a second, more radical side. It is there that the allure and fascination of his Dr. Seuss alter ego begins. He had a successful career as an advertising man and then as a political cartoonist, his personal convictions appearing, not always subtly, throughout his books--remember the environmentalist in The Lorax? Geisel was a complicated man on an important mission. He introduced generations to the wonders of reading while teaching young people about empathy and how to treat others well. Agonizing over word choices and rhymes, touching up drawings sometimes for years, he upheld a rigorous standard of perfection for his work. Geisel took his responsibility as a writer for children seriously, talking down to no reader, no matter how small. And with classics like Green Eggs and Ham and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Geisel delighted readers while they learned. Suddenly, reading became fun. Coming right off the heels of George Lucas and the bestselling Jim Henson, Brian Jay Jones is quickly developing a reputation as a master biographer of the creative geniuses of our time."--Dust jacket.
  • Dr. Seuss is a classic American icon; his work has defined our childhoods, and even more than twenty-five years after his death his books continue to find new readers. Theodor Geisel, however, led a life that goes much deeper than the prolific and beloved children's book author. He had a successful career as a political cartoonist, and his political leanings can be felt throughout his books. Jones introduces us to this complicated man, who introduced generations to the wonders of reading while teaching young people about empathy and how to treat others well. -- adapted from jacket
Alternative Title
  • Becoming Doctor Seuss
  • Theodor Geisel and the making of an American imagination
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Biographies.
  • Biography.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (pages 435-474) and index.
Language (note)
  • Text in English.
Contents
And that is a story that no one can beat. Minnows into whales 1904-1921 ; The slob generation 1921-1925 ; Strange beasts 1925-1926 ; The flit 1927-1936 ; Brat books 1936-1940 ; Cockeyed crusader 1940-1943 -- It is fun to have fun but you have to know how. Snafu 1943-1946 ; A good profession 1946-1949 ; A person's a person 1950-1954 ; A literary straitjacket 1954-1957 -- Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try. Beginner books 1958-1960 ; The work 1961-1963 ; Stink. Stank. Stunk. 1963-1967 ; I intend to go on doing just what I do 1967-1971 ; You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut 1971-1978 ; A few years longer 1979-1984 ; Off and away 1984-1991.
Call Number
JFE 19-8048
ISBN
  • 9781524742782
  • 1524742783
LCCN
  • 2018059288
  • 40029110239
OCLC
1038228613
Author
Jones, Brian Jay, author.
Title
Becoming Dr. Seuss : Theodor Geisel and the making of an American imagination / Brian Jay Jones.
Publisher
New York, New York : Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, [2019]
Copyright Date
©2019
Type of Content
text
Type of Medium
unmediated
Type of Carrier
volume
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 435-474) and index.
Language
Text in English.
Chronological Term
1900-1999
Other Standard Identifier
40029110239
Research Call Number
JFE 19-8048
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