NEWS

Dr Seuss Enterprises halts the publication and licensing of six Dr Seuss titles over insensitive imagery upset

Published on: 3rd March 2021

Dr. Seuss Enterprises has ceased the publication of six titles from the author’s catalogue of children’s books following audience feedback for a review over the insensitive and racist imagery within.

The organisation confirmed that it would ceasing the sales of 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 for illustrations found within that “portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.”

The decision to cease publication and sales of the books was made last year after months of discussion, but announced this week in conjunction with the author’s birthday.

“Today, on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises celebrates reading and also our mission of supporting all children and families with messages of hope, inspiration, inclusion, and friendship,” said the company in a statement issued on its website and to the Associated Press.

“We are committed to action. To that end, 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. These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.

“Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’s catalog represents and supports all communities and families.”

Books by Dr Seuss – who was born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Massachusetts on March 2nd 1904 – have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries.

The impact of the decision has not been without its reverberations and Universal Studios is reportedly re-evaluating its If I Ran the Zoo play area, as well as its And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street inspired shop that makes up a part of the destination.

‘Seuss Landing continues to be very popular with our guests and we value our relationship with Seuss Enterprises,’ a Universal spokesperson told Spectrum News.

‘We’ve removed the books from our shelves as they have asked, and we’ll be evaluating our in-park experience too. But our guests can plan on continuing to be able to enjoy their favorite experiences at Seuss Landing.’

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