Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss


Today is Dr. Seuss's birthday. Dr. Seuss, the man who, during his lifetime, won two Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, and a Peabody Award.

He sold over two million books including some of his most popular: "The Cat In The Hat," "The Sneetches," "Green Eggs & Ham," "Oh, The Places You'll Go," and "How The Grinch Stole Christmas."

An absolute GIANT in the literary world. So of course, he could have nothing in common with us struggling writers trying to break into the publishing world.. correct?

… Au Contraire, Mon Frère….

Yes, even Dr. Seuss was rejected. In fact, his first book, “And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street” was rejected 27 times before he finally got a “yes.” 

(As an aside.. how’d you like to be that chap who, on the 28th attempt said, “I think you might have something here.” What a smile he must have worn for the rest of his life. “… oh yea? Well, I discovered Dr. Seuss.”)

27 times. One of his most famous rejection letter excerpts read, “This is too different from other juveniles on the market to warrant its selling.”

Happy Birthday, and Thank You Dr. Seuss, for being a shining example of perseverance, and for breaking down the walls of conformity.

Comments

  1. He proved them wrong! And The Grinch will always be my favorite.

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  2. My kids loved Dr. Seuss and I loved reading his books to them - now I can do it with my grandchildren (if they sat still long enough!)

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  3. I wished Dr. Seuss would be as well known in Germany as he is in the US. He's far underrated over here.
    BTW, I nominated you for the Sunshine Award. Come and pick it up on my blog.

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