Dr. Seuss Publisher To Cease Sales Of 6 Books Over 'Hurtful And Wrong' Imagery

San Diego CA

02 March, 2021

3:57 PM

Description

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego March 2, 2021 The publisher of Theodor Geisel's popular Dr. Seuss books announced Tuesday it would no longer publish six titles because of "hurtful and wrong" imagery. "Dr. Seuss Enterprises, working with a panel of experts, including educators, reviewed our catalog of titles and made the decision last year to cease publication and licensing of the following titles: And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot's Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat's Quizzer," the publisher said in a statement on its website. "These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong," according to the statement. "Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises' catalog represents and supports all communities and families." The images at issue include a drawing of two bare-footed African men wearing what appear to be grass skirts with their hair tied above their heads in If I Ran the Zoo. And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street features an Asian drawn wearing a conical hat, holding chopsticks, and eating from a bowl. The Dr. Seuss books have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries. Geisel lived in La Jolla and died in 1991. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.