What can someone say about Theodor Seuss Geisel, the man who single handedly influenced almost every school aged child with his books?  He published 46 books, 11 television specials, four feature films, a Broadway musical and four television series.  During World War II, he worked in an animation department of the United States Army, where he wrote Design for Death, a film that later won the 1947 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

Theo was a Democrat and supporter of FDR,  and political undertones are widely believed to be prevalent in several of his works such as Horton Hears a Who! (anti-isolationism and internationalism), The Lorax (environmentalism and anti-consumerism), The Sneetches (racial equality), The Butter Battle Book (the arms race), Yertle the Turtle (Hitler and anti-authoritarianism), and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (criticizing the materialism and consumerism of the Christmas season).   Whatever your political beliefs however, chances are the first book you read was one of his titles.  (Mine were Oh Say Can You Say and The Butter Battle Book, STILL my favorites.)

Here is a list of some quotes of the late great Doctor:

“Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.”

“You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own.  And you know what you know.  And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.”

“Nonsense wakes up the brain cells.  And it helps develop a sense of humor, which is awfully important in this day and age.”

“I know up on top you  are seeing great sights, but down here on the bottom, we too should have rights.”

“You oughta be thankful.  A whole heaping lot.  For the people and places.  You’re lucky you’re not.”

“Children want the same things we want.  To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained, and delighted.”

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”