Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Seuss Geisel, 1904-1991) who would have been 108 today! Did you know that as well as being one of the most famous children’s author of all time and connoisseur of the anapestic tetrameter, Dr. Seuss was a life-long political cartoonist.
The Dr. Seuss Collection at Mandeville Special Collections Library in the University of California contains the original drawings and/or newspaper clippings of all his cartoons.The have been digitised and made available to the public at this website: “Dr. Seuss went to War: A Catalog of Political Cartoons by Dr. Seuss.” The cartoons provide commentary on domestic issues, the Second Word War, the Nazi Regime and World issues.
Here are some of my favourites:
"The Old Run Around." 26 June 1942. Source: Dr. Seuss Collection, Mandeville Special Collections, U of CA P, San Diego
"Hm-m! Can't understand it!" 12 Feb 1942. Source: Dr. Seuss Collection, Mandeville Special Collections, U of CA P, San Diego
"German Manicure." 1 April 1942. Source: Dr. Seuss Collection, Mandeville Special Collections, U of CA P, San Diego
Equally as enjoyable is the Official Dr. Seuss Website for both children and adults alike!
Tags: Dr. Seuss, mandeville special collections, Nazi, Pearl Harbour, political cartoons, World War Two