Let’s take a closer look at the person who created a world of Cats in Hats, grouchy Grinches who steal Christmas, and Green Eggs and Ham. 

Who was Dr. Seuss?

Well, for starters, he wasn’t a doctor. That was his pseudonym or “pen name.” The name that he wrote under for all the children’s books he wrote. 

His real name was Theodore Seuss Geisel. Seuss was his real middle name and his mom’s maiden name, and he was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

Everyone pronounced his pen name like it rhymed with moose. But that wasn’t how it was said.

He tried and tried to get people to say it right. 
It was a useless plight…
He gave up and said, “Okay!
Let them pronounce it however they may.”

The right way to say the name “Seuss” is by making it rhyme with “voice.” So, it would be said “Soice.” But the moose-rhyming way to say it has stuck for so long that no one would know who you were talking about if you said Dr. Soice!

He wrote a few books for grown-ups, too. And for those books, he used the pen name Ted LeSieg. Which was just his real last name…spelled backwards.  (What would your pen name be if you spelled your name backwards?)

He was creative and filled with imagination. His books are filled with fun rhymes, nonsense words, and crazy, made-up creatures. 

Cat in a tophat

The books that he wrote are fun to read, and that was why he wrote them!  He wrote and illustrated 44 books especially for children. He even started his very own publishing company, called Beginner Books, Inc., in 1958.

Then, in 1960, Random House founder Bennet Cerf challenged Dr. Seuss to write a children's book using only 50 different words! Seuss accepted the challenge and the result was the book Green Eggs and Ham, his most popular book of all.

He introduced the world to his “Seussisms.”

(A word that was added to the Meriam-Webster dictionary in 2017, for describing any and all Seuss-related things!)

Read Across America

Kids reading books on a bench

To honor Dr. Seuss and his work creating fun and easy to read books for kids, the National Education Association created a day to celebrate. It’s all about reading. 

The first Read Across America Day was celebrated on March 2, 1998. The reason they chose March 2nd? It's Dr. Seuss’s birthday!

What better way to celebrate than with the foods of Dr. Seuss? Maybe whip up a breakfast consisting of Green Eggs and Ham? Perhaps with a side of Who-hash?

And then, you’ll have to decide how to best take your toast… Butter side up? Or butter side down? (But don’t make it a fight like in his book “The Butter Battle”!)

 

Here's a delightful "Green Eggs and Ham" recipe to get you started!

Spinach scrambled eggs with ham recipe (2 servings)

https://www.familyfoodonthetable.com/green-eggs-and-ham-2-ways/

FOR THE SPINACH EGGS:

  • Combine 4 eggs and ½ cup packed fresh spinach in a blender. Mix until well combined. It will be frothy. 
  • In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the egg mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until eggs are cooked through and fluffy.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with ¼ cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese (if desired).

FOR THE CANADIAN BACON:

  • Heat a small pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 slices of  Canadian bacon slices and sear 1-2 minutes per side, until browned in spots and warmed through.

FOR THE BREAKFAST:

  • Serve your green eggs with Canadian bacon and whole wheat toast 

 

You can find plenty of awesome recipes at eat2explore!