Dr. Seuss in Springfield, MA

'FRIENDS OF LIBRARIES U.S.A.

LITERARY LANDMARKS REGISTER

DR. SEUSS

NATIONAL MEMORIAL

at the Quadrangle

Theodor Seuss Geisel, known to the world as the beloved children's author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1904 and drew much of his early inspiration from his hometown. May this memorial serve to spark creativity in future generations.

FRIENDS OF THE SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY, INC.   JUNE 1, 2002'

Dr Seuss died in 1991 and his title was perhaps wishful thinking as he never took the PhD in Literature that was his original intention. His step-daughter Lark Grey Dimond-Cates designed these superb structures, which are in five distinct parts.

Three of these parts are grouped together here, although I shall deal with each separately, naming all of the characters as I go along.

'Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat' occupies the central position in the above group, and is a work of remarkable detail.

Geisel seems to be in his seventies here, although his work of course is ageless.

It's very appropriate that his most well-known creation, The Cat in the Hat, should be standing next to him.

Among several objects on Seuss's desk is a notepad with 'Oh the places you'll go!' written on it. This is the title of his last book published in his life time, in 1990.

'Horton Court', in which several of Seuss's characters emerge from his books.

Horton the Elephant.

It's easy to miss the microscopic community of Whoville held in Horton's trunk.

Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose.

Sally and her brother.

Thing One (top) and Thing Two (bottom).

Sam-I-Am (unhyphenated, now a punk-emo band from Berkeley, CA).

'The Story-Teller', with words from the book Oh, the Places You'll Go!.

With The Grinch and his dog Max coming out of the book, this strongly reminds me of the O. Henry sculpture in Greensboro, NC, photos of which I took here.

Also extremely easy to overlook is Gertrude McFuzz perched top left of the open book.

'The Lorax', on a tree stump.

'UNLESS someone like you

cares a whole awful lot,

nothing is going to get better.

It's not.'

(Just in case anyone may have the idea that Dr. Seuss is 'just' a children's writer, whatever that may mean.)

'Yertel the Turtle'. This final Seuss-related sculpture is behind the D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and is another gem.

Beautiful works of sculpture, and free for anyone to view.