7 Most Controversial Dr. Seuss Books & 1 We Love

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Let’s talk about Dr. Seuss

Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, is undoubtedly one of the most famous and beloved children’s authors. An interesting fact that many people don’t know is that Dr. Seuss wasn’t a doctor at all. He used the title “Dr.” to pacify his father who wanted him to study medicine.

Many school systems have recently started to remove Dr. Seuss from their curriculum. In 2017, First Lady Melania Trump gifted a Dr. Seuss collection to a Massachusetts school. The books were returned by librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro with a note stating the books were “steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.”

7 Most Controversial Dr. Suess Books – The List

1. And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss

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And to Think That I Saw It on MULBERRY STREET – 1937 was the first children’s book published under the Dr. Seuss pen name. The plot line follows a boy named Marco, who fabricates an imaginary series of events that happened during his walk on Mulberry Street.

Why is it controversial: During Marco’s adventure, he saw what is described as a “Chinaman”. The illustration depicts the man as having lines for eyes, wearing a pointed hat and carrying chopsticks and a bowl of rice. It’s been announced that this book will no longer be published.

2. McElligot’s Pool by Dr. Seuss

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McElligot’s Pool – 1947 is another one of Dr. Seuss’s books about the boy named Marco (from Mulberry Street). In this fishing adventure, Marco imagines all of the various types of extraordinary fish that might be swimming in the pond he is fishing in. Seuss was awarded with Caldecott Honors for this title.

Why is it controversial: It is not one of the most edgy books on our list, nonetheless it includes images that have been considered racist and hurtful. It should be noted that this book will not longer be published due to these images.

3. Scrambled Eggs Super! by Dr. Seuss

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Scrambled Eggs Super! – 1953 is a tale about a boy named Peter T. Hooper. He tells the story of his world travels to find eggs from exotic birds to scramble. After each different bird Peter finds, he quotes “Scrambled Eggs Super Dee Dooper Dee Booper Special Deluxe a la Peter T. Hooper”.

Why is it controversial: During Peter’s travels, he has the help of many friends. It has been pointed out that some of these illustrations are racist and insensitive. Subsequently, this book was discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

4. If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss

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If I Ran the Zoo – 1950 is about a young Gerald McGrew. After visiting the zoo, he decided that if he owned a zoo that he would let all the animals go and get more bizarre exotic animals. Throughout the book he goes on to describe all of the imaginative creatures.

Why is it controversial: This book has been criticized for its racial stereotypes and insensitivity since the 1980s. On March 2, 2021, the publisher announced it has decided to discontinue this book.

5. On Beyond Zebra! by Dr. Seuss

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On Beyond Zebra! – 1955 is edgy based on it’s contents alone. As a spinoff to the typical alphabet books, Dr. Seuss presents not only the 26 letters of the alphabet but also an additional 20 letters that supposedly follow them.

Why is it controversial: On Beyond Zebra! is controversial based on it’s contents alone but has also been cited as using racist illustrations. This book is no longer in publication due to it’s insensitive nature.

6. The Cat’s Quizzer: Are YOU smarter than the Cat in the Hat? by Dr. Seuss

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The Cat’s Quizzer: Are You Smarter Than the Cat in the Hat – 1976 is a book about silly questions and challenges. The readers quest is to see if they are smarter than Ziggy and Zizzy Zozzfozzel.

Why is it controversial: This book portrays hurtful and insensitive content. There is text within the book that makes lighthearted ridicule of pygmy people as well as Japanese people. This book has also been discontinued by the publisher.

7. You’re Only Old Once! A Book for Obsolete Children by Dr. Seuss

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You’re Only Old Once! A Book for Obsolete Children – 1986 was written after Geisel suffered several illnesses. He spent his time in the hospital making sketches and subsequently turning them into a book. The plot follows an elderly man who goes through a series of long wait times and strange medical procedures at the Golden Years Clinic.

Why is it controversial: You’re Only Old Once! was Geisel’s first adult book since The Seven Lady Godivas which was published in 1939. Seuss did not enjoy writing for adults and was quoted as saying “Adults are just obsolete children, and the hell with them”. This was where the book’s subtitle, A Book for Obsolete Children, was derived.

HONORABLE MENTION AND 1 WE LOVE: Dr. Seuss’s The Seven Lady Godivas

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The Seven Lady Godivas – 1939 recounts the tale of the seven Godiva sisters who never wore clothes. After their father was flung from his horse and died, they vowed to never marry until they each found a new “Horse Truth” that would be a benefit to all of mankind.

While this book is obviously controversial, it was also the book Seuss considered his greatest failure. While it was initially a failure, the book was republished in 1987 due to “multitudinous demand”.

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