Six Dr. Seuss books – including 'And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street' and 'If I Ran the Zoo' – will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery, the business that preserves and protects the author’s legacy said Tuesday.

'These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,' Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press...

– Associated Press Story 2 March 2021

Editor's Note:I agree that Dr Seuss stories have racist and insensitive imagery. But what I think is worse is the message that having an imagination means foisting absurd and extravagant imagery on your hapless audience. I grew up hating talking cats that staged home invasions. As far as I'm concerned, you can toss the lot. Hence this photoessay in kid verse.

The following is my opinion. You're entitled to your own, as I am to mine.

Young Marco's dad sent him out for walk, And later suggested they both have a talk About things that he noticed and sights that he'd seen In his own neighbourhood, and what they might mean. Now, Marco was clever, and liked to sound smart, But all he had seen was a horse and a cart. He thought, 'That's a pretty dull story, of course, A broken-down wagon that's pulled by a horse. I could make it better! I'll just tell my pop 'Bout an elephant with a howdah atop! Or another such creature, exotic and strange, Like a camel that whistles Home on the Range' But when he had finished his outlandish tale, His dad rolled his eyes and said, 'You never fail To astonish me, telling me all these sad lies. Why don't you learn to just open your eyes? The world as it is contains wonders enough! Do you think to astonish us all with that stuff? My son, your imaginings give me the blues. Are you trying out for a job with Fox News? 'Now, tell me the truth: what really was there?'' 'Just an old horse and wagon, down by the square.' His father grinned widely. 'A reliable source! Now, tell me more: what shade was the horse? 'Was it grey? Was it sorrel? Were there spots on its back?' 'Why no, I think it was shiny and black.' 'Delightful! The cart, was it painted or plain? Were there goods in the back? Come on: try to explain!' Marco thought and remembered. 'The cart, it was red, Without any writing, and up on the bed Was a big stack of lumber, fresh-milled and quite fine, And the air was scented with fresh knotty pine.' His dad beamed, 'Well, that is something to know! Which way did the horse and his driver go?' Marco pointed. 'Down there. And they turned right on Bliss. Do you think there is more to the story than this?' 'Let's find out right now!' suggested his pop. They ran down Mulberry and didn't stop. They turned down Bliss, and what did they spot? Some people were gathered. (For this town, quite a lot.) They were watching some workers who were hard at work Building walls, doors and windows. They decided to lurk. 'What's going on?' asked Marco's dad Of a boy Marco's age, an intelligent lad. 'It's the new library, why, didn't you know? When it's finished, we'll all have a place to go For books, and music, also DVDs, And stories 'bout anything that you please. The reading and listening sure will be great, But it's fun watching buildings go up while we wait!' Dad turned to Marco and said with a wink, 'That wagon and cart were more fun than you'd think! Fake news is exciting, but somehow it never Will lead you to anything that's really clever. Extravagant fancies and barefaced lies'll Make you as obnoxious as Theodore Geisel. Here's hoping the library has some good stuff. Your neighbourhood's life's fascinating enough!'

Dmitri Gheorgheni

15.03.21 Front Page

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