Can you guess the author? |

1st clue

His illustrations are instantly recognizable and beloved to generations of children but he never won a Caldecott award (though he was nominated).

2nd clue

Today would be his 111th birthday.

3rd clue

Although he wrote one of the bestselling books of all time by limiting himself to only 236 words, he is also known for inventing words.

Bonus clue

"Oobleck", "zax" and "thneed" come to mind as well known examples of words he made up but he is also credited with coining "nerd" (though it would fall to others to supply a definition).

Photo credit: Greg Williams

If at any point you guessed Theodore Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss, but also known as Theo LeSeig and Rosetta Stone) give yourself a hand. Stomp your feet if you guessed it on the second clue, and cheer if you got it right away! (Unless like me, you happen to be in a library)

Theodore Geisel was born on March 2nd 1904 in Springfield Massachussets. He started his career as a cartoonist and humourist but soon moved into advertising, and eventually children's books. His first book, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street, was rejected roughly two dozen times before getting published in 1937. He published a few more including Horton Hatches the Egg and the 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins before the Second World War broke out. Then he focussed his talent working on the war effort.

After the war an editor challenged him to write "a book first graders can't put down" using only 225 words. At 236, he went over (by 11) but who cares? The Cat in the Hat is a book that very few can put down. And beginning readers, hitherto dominated by Dick and Jane books would never be the same.

See below for some books and websites about Dr Seuss (Seussville)

Selected Books by Dr. Seuss

The Cat in the Hat