Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

To celebrate of the birth and life of Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904–1991), author of delightfully rhymed children's books such as The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham, we present some art-inspired poetry . . .

Dr. Seuss (or Theodor Geisel),
Along with his grinches and sneetches and sneezles,
Was born today, nineteen-hundred and four—
Very much to the gladness of children galore.
So, today we salute him, revere and root-toot him!
Hip, Who, Whorray!
Hip, Who, Whorray that today is today!
But what kind of art befits the occasion?
Is there something to honor his imagination?
A-ha! Oh Eureka! At last we have found it!
An image so odd, he would love and expound it!
From our folk art collection,
We have made this selection . . .
Trained dogs that are dandies, in bangles and bows—
These oodles of poodles for beloved Theo!

Pictured: Lawrence W. Ladd (active 1865–1895) , Trained Dogs,about 1880, watercolor, 7 3/8 x 10 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bates and Isabel Lowry.