When Ted Giesel died in September 1991, aged 87, over 600 million copies oh his famous children’s books had been sold around the world, translated into more than 20 languages. The world knew him then, and still does today, by his pen name, Dr. Seuss.
He was born and raised in Springfield MA.
His books still sell in the millions. In 2009, for example, Green Eggs and Ham (Published 1960) sold 540,000 copies, The Cat in the Hat (1957) sold 452,000 copies, and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (1960) sold 409,000 copies — all outselling the majority of newly published children’s books.
On March 2nd, which is also ‘Read Across America Day,’ Giesel would have turned 116. Springfield Museums is organizing a birthday celebration with activities open to members of the public (See below for program).
In San Diego, where Giesel and his wife Audrey lived for many years, The Giesel Library, named in their honor, is also hosting a celebration for him.
There are also celebrations set for Odessa DE, Fairytale Town in Land Park Sacramento, South Jamaica in Queens, New York, Kings Bay Library in New York, Sturgis District Library in Michigan, Hopedale MA and scores of other locations.
Springfield Museums Program for Dr. Seuss 116th Birthday Celebration
Celebrate with Cake! 11 am-3 pm
Get four tickets to sample cakes throughout our science, history, and two art museums! Taste these sweet treats created by local bakeries to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Peanut-free and gluten-free options available.
Music of The Cat in the Hat Songbook, 11 am-12 pm and 1-2 pm
Local musician Chris Eriquezzo will bring to life lively songs like “Plinker Plunker” and “The No Laugh Race,” and just plain silly songs like “Cry a Pint,” from The Cat Hat Songbook with lyrics composed by Dr. Seuss.
Mr. Vinny’s Shadow Puppet Show, 12 pm and 3 pm
Mr. Vinny from the Toe Jam Puppet Band presents a dynamic and hilarious family show! He specializes in storytelling with unique puppets! Get ready for lots of jokes and audience participation, and a few fun surprises!
Expandable Brass Band, 1:30 and 2:15 pm
Loud, raucous, and full of fun, the Expandable Brass Band is dedicated to spreading joyful music to the people of Western Massachusetts and beyond.
Ongoing Activities
The Cat’s Corner, 10 am-5 pm
Dr. Seuss-inspired art and literacy activities.
Meet Your Favorite Dr. Seuss Characters, 11 am-1 pm and 2-4 pm
Get a high five and take your photo with the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, the Grinch, and more!
Decorating Demo with Master Baker Eric Hirsch, 11 am-2 pm
Watch our award-winning professional baker demonstrate his decorating skills! Learn how and what he uses to create his masterpieces.
A Present Just for You, 11 am-3 pm
Every child ages 0-12 will receive one free board book by Dr. Seuss to celebrate our favorite author’s birthday! Read your new book together at home to remember the fun you had at the museum! (While supplies last.)
There’s No Place Like Space: Orbiting Objects, 11 am-3 pm
Join one of our friendly museum educators for this hands-on activity that invites visitors to experiment with different sized and weighted balls on a stretchy fabric gravity well. The activity models gravitational attraction in space. Participants investigate how changing conditions can cause phenomena like stellar wobble and planet formation.
Share Your Thoughts, 11 am-3 pm
Museum visitors of all ages are invited to participate in a conversation to explore the nature of thinking, memory, and imagination, based on Dr. Seuss’s works. Graphic notetaker Sita Magnuson and her team from Dpict will translate topics and themes that emerge from discussions into images in real time, creating a massive poster of visitors’ memories and experiences. We want you to be a part of the story! Spanish translation will be available.
Strolling Magic with Malik the Magic Guy, 11 am-3 pm
Malik is a full time comedy magician with over 25 years of experience performing for family, corporate and college audiences. His close-up magic and card tricks will amaze you!
If I Ran the Garden, 11 am-3 pm
Since the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden opened in 2002 more than 3 million people have visited! If you could add one wacky creature to the sculpture garden, what would it be? Use model magic to create your own inspired piece.
Super Scrambled Bird Name Generator, 11 am-3 pm
Use our silly Bird Name Generator inspired by Scrambled Eggs Super! to name new type of bird and decorate a coordinating egg.
Grinch Plinko, 11 am-3 pm
More fun than stealing Christmas! Play this disc drop game with featuring the slyly smiling Grinch – every player wins a Grinchy medal! While supplies last.
Color a Whoville Keychain, 11 am-3 pm
Featuring the Grinch’s dog Max or Cindy Lou Who – color a wooden keychain to add to your goodie bag.
Digital Dr. Seuss, 11 am-3 pm
Read and explore short stories from our favorite author digitally on the museum’s tablets. While batteries last.
Dr. Seuss Photo Booth, 11 am-3 pm
Grab a Seussian prop to take some fun and memorable family photos. Local titleholders from the Miss America organization will be on hand to recommend poses and help take your photo.
Seuss Trivia, 11 am-3 pm
Spin the big wheel, answer a trivia question, and win a bookmark! Questions are appropriate for all ages.
We All Need Trees, 11 am-3 pm
You might be surprised to learn how many different products we get from trees! You’ll get to examine various products and determine which ones are made from trees, and then brainstorm ideas on how these can be conserved.
Some Days Are Yellow, Some Are Blue, 11 am-3 pm
Artists, authors, and illustrators use color to convey emotion, and Dr. Seuss wrote My Many Colored Days all about colors and moods. What colors make you happy, excited, calm, sad, or energize you? Learn an easy way to change the color and mood of your own photographs and how you see the world around you.
Enter to Win a Seussian Prize Pack, 11 am-4 pm
We’ve got six bags filled with books from the Cat in the Hat Learning Library, Cat in the Hat Finger puppets, and more! Fill out our survey for a chance to be a big winner.
Art Discovery Center, 12-4 pm
Trace Chinese characters, try on costumes, play gallery games, peek under lift-up panels on the Wall of Symbols to discover the meaning behind Asian motifs, put on a puppet show, and make an art project. Today’s Project: Make a Cupcake Liner Lorax.
Author: Team VoW
Valley of Writers provides resources, tools, ideas and training for new writers. We work with a writers and contributors based around the world. Our primary focus is to equip new writers with skills to help them reach new audiences and achieve their goals.
