Random House Children’s Books to launch Dr Seuss Workbook series for US schoolchildren

Random House Children’s Books has partnered with Dr Seuss Enterprises to launch multi-subject Dr Seuss Workbooks across the US. The new format book series will be aimed at preschool kids through to third grade, encouraging readers to interact with their favourite characters while supporting learning goals.

The deal has been announced by Barbara Marcus, president and publisher, Random House Children’s Books, and Tom Russell, vice president and publisher, reference and workbooks. The first two editions – Preschool and Kindergarten – will be launched on September 7th this year. The remaining three will follow next March.

The launch of the books will also be supported by a video series hosted on Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ YouTube channel, featuring fun, original sing-alongs to help readers further engage with the characters and subject matter.

“In the last year, we have seen such increased demand for learning resources, and so we are particularly pleased to bring the Dr. Seuss Workbooks to market and offer fresh, engaging content to support young learners today,” said Russell. “These workbooks provide parents and educators an accessible blend of core academic concepts and such equally important topics as kindness, empathy, and self-esteem.”

The workbooks have been developed and written by education experts and based on curriculum standards, and readers at every grade level will be introduced to four subjects, each with their own dedicated Seuss character ambassador guiding the way: Reading and English Language Learning with the Cat from The Cat in the Hat, Maths with Thing One and Thing Two from The Cat in the Hat, Science with the Lorax from The Lorax, and Social and Emotional Learning with Horton from Horton Hears a Who!

Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said: “The imaginative works of Dr. Seuss have been an entry point to the world of reading and learning for several generations. For years Dr. Seuss books have delighted children while helping them learn to read and develop their cognitive skills.

“This new workbook program and its supporting video content are a natural progression that make it even easier for kids to learn, with fun exercises and engaging lessons that help them hone new skills.”

Warner Animation expands feature film partnership with Dr Seuss to detail new projects

Some of the most iconic stories and characters of Dr Seuss’ popular books will be finding new life on the screen thanks to an extended partnership with Warner Animation Group, the animated film production arm of Warner Bros Pictures.

Under the new partnership, Bad Robot Productions has been tapped to adapt Oh, The Places You’ll Go for the big screen, marking the award-winning production company’s first foray into feature animation. The feature will see J.J Abrams serve as producer, alongside Bad Robot’s head of motion pictures, Hanna Minghella.

On top of this, Thing One and Thing Two – the popular characters from The Cat in The Hat – will have their own shot at the silver screen with an original feature length animated adventure under the working title Thing One and Thing Two. The film is currently scheduled for 2026, while Oh, The Places You’ll Go is set for 2027.

These two new films mark the latest additions to the growing slate of animated projects that Warner Animation Group and Dr. Seuss Enterprises are developing together that builds out an extensive Dr. Seuss animated universe. The collaboration merges the worlds of Dr. Seuss with some of the most creative and visionary Hollywood storytellers and artists.

Other current projects in development include the The Cat in the Hat feature film that will kick off the new Dr. Seuss movie slate in 2024, with Erica Rivinoja (South Park, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2) and Art Hernandez (Planes, Planes: Fire and Rescue) on board as directors. 

Additionally, Warner Bros. Animation’s hit Netflix series Green Eggs and Hamanother joint project, was renewed for a second season.

Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said: “Warner Animation Group truly understands the timelessness of Dr. Seuss, the incredible impact of the characters and stories, and how to translate the magical appeal to truly come to life on screen. With the amazing talent they are bringing to these projects, we are looking forward to bringing Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and Thing One and Thing Two to fans in a way that will delight them, capture their imaginations, and inspire them to read and re-read the stories.

“We are also looking forward to collaborating with the incredibly talented Erica Rivinoja and Art Hernandez who we know will make magic with Cat in the Hat.”

Allison Abbate, EVP, Warner Animation Group, added: “We are so thrilled to expand our creative partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and are even more excited about the expansion of this slate of films.

“Our The Cat in the Hat is off to a terrific start with the incredible Erica Rivinoja and Art Hernandez at the helm. Oh, The Places You’ll Go! is one of Seuss’ most enduring masterpieces and its profound and poignant message resonates with fans of all ages.

“We are thrilled to be working with Hannah and J.J. at Bad Robot to bring this cultural touchstone to life on the big screen.  And what could be more fun than to create an original story for Thing One and Thing Two? These two delightfully enigmatic characters will help us explore the magical world that Ted Geisel created with “The Cat in the Hat” and we can’t wait to jump in.

“This partnership with Susan Brandt and DSE is a perfect fit for WAG and our ongoing vision to produce iconic animated features based on beloved IP.”