Dr. Seuss Enterprises is commemorating Dr. Seuss’ birthday by offering a special gift to babies born on March 2, coinciding with Dr. Seuss Day. Celebrated annually, this day honors the legendary author, Theodor “Ted” Seuss Geisel, who would have turned 120 this Saturday. In recognition of his impactful contributions to children’s literature, parents of babies born on March 2, 2024, have the opportunity to claim a free, personalized copy of the classic “The Cat in the Hat.”
To claim the free book, parents can visit SeussPledge.com, where they have a 90-day window to register and secure their baby’s copy on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of 10,000 books. Registrants must submit photographic proof of the child’s birthdate. The book includes a personalized message commemorating the child’s Seussian birthday and encourages parents to foster a love for reading.
Susan Brandt, CEO & President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, emphasized the pledge as a way to honour Dr. Seuss’s commitment to ensuring all children have access to books and literacy programs. Additionally, free resources for celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday are available for teachers and parents at Seussville.com.
While Dr. Seuss’s collection of beloved books has faced recent controversy over racial insensitivity, the Seuss gatekeepers withdrew six titles in 2021. Notably, “The Cat in the Hat” has been deemed by experts as somewhere between offensive and inoffensive, acknowledging certain elements reminiscent of racist blackface performers from a century ago. Despite this, Dr. Seuss’s extensive career also included stories celebrating diversity.
In a new development, never-before-seen sketches by Dr. Seuss have been integrated into upcoming books created by a diverse group of authors and artists. This inclusive line, featuring original stories matched with unpublished illustrations, is scheduled to launch this spring, adding a fresh perspective to Dr. Seuss’s literary legacy.