Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! (Dr. Seuss) - Softcover

Seuss, Dr.; Prelutsky, Jack

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007127405 ISBN 13: 9780007127405

Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks, 2001

Synopsis

Based on characters and a storyline developed by Dr. Seuss shortly before his death in 1991, this fabulous tale by poet Jack Prelutsky and artist Lane Smith bears all the hallmarks of a classic Dr. Seuss – bags of zany rhyme and humour, with bold and colourful artwork.

Focusing on the strange goings-on in Diffendoofer school, where kids are taught, among other things, yelling, listening and smelling, it highlights the importance of individuality and thinking for yourself! The book concludes with a fascinating look at how it came into being, with original sketches and handwritten notes by Dr. Seuss himself.

About this title

Review:

With the release of Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! readers young and old are afforded a dazzling glimpse into the genius of Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel. The book is based on 14 rough drawings and verses Geisel's secretary gave to the author's editor, Janet Schulman, after his death in 1991. In these scribbled sketches and scratched-out lines, we witness the Seussian process in building a story. When brainstorming the name of what resulted in the Diffendoofer School, he jots down several possible names--"William Wilkins Woofer Junior," "Woodrow Watkins Woofer," "Zoofendorf Elementary," "J. Ebeneezer Bomberg Jr."--all of a slightly different cadence and rhythm, which he tests like a composer writing a new concerto.

A small collection of Geisel's rough sketches would be plenty to thrill even the grinchiest of readers, but there's much more to this marvellous book. Renowned children's poet Jack Prelutsky and award- winning illustrator Lane Smith were called to action by Schulman to pull these sketches into a complete story that would make Dr. Seuss fruffulous with glee. Prelutsky's delicious verse is uncannily Seussian, and it is inexplicably sensational when exploring the Diffendoofer School to discover good old Horton, a platter of green eggs and ham, and a few Whos from Who-ville scattered across the surreal and fascinating landscape of Smith's artwork. Lane and Prelutsky have gone above and beyond the call of duty, maintaining the characters and themes Geisel was just beginning to develop, but enhancing them with their own delightful stylistic stamps.

Above all, this incredible book is an ode to unorthodox, unusually creative teachers, and the innovative thinking they encourage in young minds (Miss Twining, for example, teaches "how to tell chrysanthemums from miniature poodles"). It is a noble theme, and one that Geisel surely had in mind when he concocted these preliminary sketches. Both new Dr. Seuss aficionados and those who remember The Cat in the Hat's 1957 debut will cherish this book for its message, artwork, and poetry, and most of all, as a tribute to the man who inspired thousands of readers.

Review:

Praise for Dr. Seuss:
“[Dr. Seuss] has...instilled a lifelong love of books, learning and reading [in children]” The Telegraph

“Dr. Seuss ignites a child’s imagination with his mischievous characters and zany verses” The Express

“The magic of Dr. Seuss, with his hilarious rhymes, belongs on the family bookshelf” Sunday Times Magazine

“The author... has filled many a childhood with unforgettable characters, stunning illustrations, and of course, glorious rhyme” The Guardian

Praise for And To Think That I Saw it On Mulberry Street:
“The cleverest book I have met with for many years. The swing and merriment of the pictures and the natural truthful simplicity of the untruthfulness.”
Beatrix Potter, author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0007127405
• ISBN 13: 9780007127405
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Smith Lane