Views on Seuss

Story by Faryal Zubair

The colors seem brighter, the words seem bigger, and the laughter is louder. Why is it that it is all seems more interesting when you’re younger? Isn’t it strange that the books that once compelled you to write stories of your own now sound obnoxious and repetitive?

Dr. Seuss is one of the world’s most famous writers. His name is recognized globally, and his popular books have become a symbol of fun for kids. The interesting rhymes and broad themes captured my heart as a youngster, and I started to make my very own collection of amusing Dr. Seuss books. Some of these included his classic works such as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

“We want older children to read Dr. Seuss. His books can be enjoyed at any age because they’re entertaining, and the messages are profound,” said Bethany Jones, a youth-services librarian at the Waynesboro Public Library.

I can’t help but wonder – does this statement actually hold truth? Are the messages found in these books still appealing to teenagers?

I, for one, am not the biggest Dr. Seuss fan anymore. Over the years, I donated my collection of Dr. Seuss books that were once precious to me. On the other hand, there are still teenagers like Becky Gorsuch, sophomore at Waynesboro High School, who still find enjoyment in Dr. Seuss books.

“[Dr. Seuss] is important because he wrote children books that weren’t just for children. They had a deeper meaning. … The Sneetches is about the Holocaust,” said Gorsuch. She feels that teenagers might not read the books all the time, but they are a childhood memory for many. “I think a reoccurring message is acceptance but not just of others, even yourself,” said Gorsuch about the morals in Dr. Seuss books.

While Gorsuch believes that the books contain morals, Tiffany McAllister, another sophomore at WHS, feels that the books might not be as profound. “I don’t think he wrote for morals. I think he wrote to make other people laugh,” said McAllister. Even so, she still admits that she is a big Dr. Seuss fan. “He creates whole new worlds. He teaches people to be creative,” said McAllister.

Still, I wasn’t convinced. How can children’s books that have rhymes and use the same words over and over again be appealing to my generation?

Ms. Megan Bobrow, an English student teacher at WHS, proclaims that she loves Dr. Seuss books. Bobrow says that she loves reading the books to her kids. “Children like it. It’s playful and imaginative,” says Bobrow. She also states that the books are meant for preschoolers because they have easy rhyme schemes. She feels that they contain morals to a certain extent and are just fun to read.

After hearing what a lot people had to say about Seuss books, I can honestly say that my mind hadn’t changed. But I realized that I learned something new. I still feel that the books are meant for young children, but maybe they contain a little something for teenagers and even adults. Sometimes, while in the blur of our stressful lives, we forget to appreciate the small things that were once important to us as kids.

When you’re young, the world is filled with possibilities. Our goals are to become astronauts, doctors, scientists, et cetera. But while growing up, those possibilities seize to exist. There is a category of things that we believe we can do and others we give up on. The thing that is appealing about Dr. Seuss books is that they offer what our lives lack. They offer the possibility for new opportunities and a world where anything is possible.

  

Faryal Zubair is an Augusta Free Press intern.