Lost Dr. Seuss Cartoons Show Another Side Of The Author
Did you know that Dr. Seuss drew political cartoons during World War II? From 1941-1943, Theodor Seuss Geisel composed over 400 wartime editorial cartoons for the New York journal PM. While he targeted Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and the Japanese, his cartoons also ridiculed any notions of appeasement or American isolationism. Dr. Seuss derided Charles Lindbergh and the America First movement and often used an ostrich as a stand-in for these isolationists. The University of California, San Diego, now owns the originals of his political cartoons, two of which are shown here courtesy of UCSD. Approximately half of the editorial cartoons were selected for the 1999 publication, Dr. Seuss Goes to War, by Richard H. Minear. The book contains full page images of the cartoons arranged by the author based on topics such as "The Home Front" and "Winning the War." Minear also addresses the crass insensitivity shown to Asian-Americans, specifically Japanese-Americans, in several of these cartoons. By means of explanation rather than excuse, Minear elucidates the historical background and wartime context which drove Dr. Seuss's editorial commentary. You'll find a copy of Dr. Seuss Goes to War among the featured books in the current "Dr. Seuss!" display in our lobby. -Evelyn Fischel
Lost Dr. Seuss Cartoons Show Another Side Of The Author
Although the majority of his books are already some half a century old, Dr. Seuss remains one of the most beloved children's authors and illustrators in American history. I'd bet that most of us, if asked, could name a Dr. Seuss favorite that made a lasting impression (One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish for me). But how many of us knew that Dr. Seuss, aka Theodor Seuss Geisel, was also a political cartoonist?
Although the majority of his books are already some half a century old, Dr. Seuss remains one of the most beloved children's authors and illustrators in American history. I'd bet that most of us, if asked, could name a Dr. Seuss favorite that made a lasting impression (One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish for me). But how many of us knew that Dr. Seuss, aka Theodor Seuss Geisel, was also a political cartoonist?
Lost Dr. Seuss Cartoons Show Another Side Of The Author
By Natasha Karunaratne Many of us know Dr. Seuss for his iconic children’s books, from The Cat in the Hat to Green Eggs and Ham, but in his heyday of the World War II era author and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel was known for his political cartoons, like this one of “foreign children” being eaten […]
Lost Dr. Seuss Cartoons Show Another Side Of The Author