A print of the early concept drawing done for The Cat in the Hat Songbook. (Photography by Donia Varghese)
It’s Dr. Seuss’s birthday month and to celebrate, Casa Loma is showcasing an art exhibition featuring over 30 of the author’s paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Presented by the Liss Gallery, The Art of Dr. Seuss exhibit takes guests on a journey through the colourful world of children’s writer and cartoonist Theodor Seuss Geisel, who was born on March 2, 1904.
Pictures of singing cats, a smirking Grinch and other looney characters take us on a trip down memory lane while Horton the Elephant comes alive in the form of a beautiful bronze sculpture at the entrance, carefully balancing a little speck of dust on his trunk.
Many are unaware of the fact that Geisel was also a visual artist who took an interest in creating ‘Unorthodox Taxidermy’ sculptures out of horns, bills and antlers of dead animals that he got from his father who was superintendent at a zoo in Springfield. The sculpture pieces were given unusual names like Two Horned Drouberhannis, Andulovian Grackler and Goo Goo Eyed Tasmanian Wolghast.
A reproduction of Sea-Going Dilemma Fish. (Photography by Donia Varghese)
A reproduction of Sea-Going Dilemma Fish made using caribou antlers, was also on display at the Liss Gallery’s Dr. Seuss Exhibition.
More than 20 years after his death, Geisel’s quirky rhymes and unforgettable characters continue to entertain and teach readers about valuable life lessons such as the importance of helping others and following one’s dreams.
During the March Break, (March 8 to 15) young fans took part in the March-A-Palooza celebrations which included storytelling sessions, cookie decorating, a scavenger hunt and screenings of animated Dr. Seuss movies at Casa Loma. An artist painted the Turtle Tower from the Dr. Seuss story, Yertle the Turtle, about a power-hungry turtle whose kingdom is toppled all because of a burp.
Dr. Seuss enthusiasts can check out the art exhibition which runs until March 30 at Casa Loma. A part of the proceeds will be used to support Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada.
The beloved Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated 44 children’s books. (Image courtesy: Liss Gallery)
Here are some little known facts about the beloved author:
- The right way to pronounce the professional pseudonym of Dr. Seuss is to rhyme it with the word ‘voice’ — so it would be Soice and not Soose.
- While at college, Theodor Geisel added the title Dr. before his middle name so that his writing and characters would be considered more credible. Another reason for this was to make his father proud of him even though he failed to get a doctorate degree.
- Apart from his famous penname, Geisel also wrote under other names like Theo LeSieg (Geisel spelled backwards), Rosetta Stone and Theophrastus Seuss.
- Although he wrote books for children, Geisel and his first wife couldn’t have any kids of their own. So they created an imaginary one named Chrysanthemum Pearl and would often brag about the daughter they never had. However, Geisel was a stepfather to his second wife Audrey’s two daughters.
- In an effort to kick his smoking habit, Geisel used to fill his smoking pipe with soil and strawberry seeds. If the urge to smoke was strong, he’d water his pipe using an eyedropper.
- The popular children’s book Green Eggs and Ham happened because of a bet made between Geisel and his publisher that the writer wouldn’t be able to come up with a book using only 50 distinct words.
- Geisel’s final book Oh The Places You’ll Go sells many copies each year since it makes a great gift for high school and college graduates.
