11 little-known works by Dr. Seuss you should add to your book collection
We firmly believe that children’s books are for adults too. They teach us important lessons about love, kindness, and the world. And no one wrote better kids’ books than Dr. Seuss. The author and illustrator, born Theodor Seuss Geisel, would be celebrating his 114th birthday on Friday, March 2nd, 2018. He died in 1991, but his legend lives on through his many, many books. In honor of his birthday and his colorful life, let’s celebrate some of the lesser-known Dr. Seuss books that you may not have read before but should definitely check out.
All in all, Dr. Seuss wrote about 45 books. Each was more fun and imaginative than the last. You’re familiar with the rhymes of One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. You can recite certain parts of Green Eggs and Ham on command. And you probably have a copy of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! on your bookshelf. But have you heard of some of Dr. Seuss’s other loveable characters, like Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose? Or Bartholomew Cubbins, the boy with 500 hats? How about King Bertram of Binn? Yeah, our minds were blown too.
Here are 11 little-known Dr. Seuss books you should add to your collection!
1The Pocket Book of Boners, 1931
You might be wondering: What was Dr. Seuss’ first book? And that would be The Pocket Book of Boners, a collection of humor writing and illustrations. But “boners” doesn’t mean what you probably think it does. In this case, “boners” simply means “errors.”
2And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, 1937
Like the cover says, this was Dr. Seuss’s first children’s book. It’s about a boy named Marco who watches people and cars as he walks down the street. Wait, did Dr. Seuss invent people-watching?
3The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, 1938
Oh yes, Bartholomew Cubbins has 500 hats. Every time he removes one of his hats, another mysteriously appears in its place. And the more he takes off, the grander his hats get!
4The Seven Lady Godivas, 1939
Another one of the many lesser-know Dr. Seuss books is The Seven Lady Godivas: The True Facts Concerning History’s Barest Family. The adult book was intended to be a spin on the stories of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom. But it fell short, selling only 2,500 copies. After this one, Seuss focused solely on children’s books for the rest of his career.
5The King’s Stilts, 1939
After The Seven Lady Godivas, Dr. Seuss went back to children’s books. The King’s Stilts tells the story of King Bertram of Binn, a man dedicated to protecting his kingdom from pesky nizzards with the help of his Patrol Cats.
6Horton Hatches the Egg, 1940
You know that Horton heard a Who. But did you know that he hatched the egg, too? It’s true, it’s true! There’s simply nothing Horton can’t do.
7McElligot’s Pool, 1947
McElligot’s Pool is a unique one. The book, about a boy who goes fishing in a polluted pool, features Dr. Seuss’s paintings instead of pen-and-ink illustrations.
8Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose, 1948
You know Horton, you know the Lorax, and you know the Cat in the Hat. But have you heard of Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose? He’s a patient, friendly creature who definitely deserves the movie treatment next!
9Scrambled Eggs Super!, 1953
Scrambled Eggs Super! is the story of Peter T. Hooper, a boy who whips up a meal to remember using eggs from exotic birds. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns.
10On Beyond Zebra!, 1955
In the grand tradition of playing the alphabet game, what comes after “Z is for zebra”? You’ll find out in On Beyond Zebra!
11The Butter Battle Book, 1984
This one might take home first prize for the silliest Dr. Seuss book title. It’s definitely one of the most fun to say: The Butter Battle Book. And it’s one of the most fun to read too. It’s a battle between the Yooks and the Zooks to discover which side of bread to spread butter on. A very important question, if you ask us.
