Today, March 2 is Dr. Seuss's birthday, but the party will be a few books light, because Dr. Seuss Enterprises just announced they're taking six books out of publication because they feel the books portray people, in their own words, in "hurtful and wrong ways."

Dr. Seuss Enterprises tells CNN that after reviewing all of the titles in their catalog and consulting with multiple educators, the decision was made to stop production on six of the company's Dr. Seuss titles.

 

 

If Dr. Seuss Enterprises feels these six books are hurtful and that these books don't represent the core values of what the company is about, then hey...clearly they have every right to kick these titles to the curb. I mean, it's their company.

But, did ya have to do it on Dr. Seuss's Birthday?

Actually, that's precisely the point.

On a day this special and meaningful to the company and to Dr. Seuss fans around the world, Dr. Seuss's Birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises chose to make an announcement of this magnitude to illustrate just how committed to diversity in youth literature they are.

That's a good thing.

Official statement from the company via seussville.com -

"Today, on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises celebrates reading and also our mission of supporting all children and families with messages of hope, inspiration, inclusion, and friendship. Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprise's catalog represents and supports all communities and families."

One of the problems found with a few of the Dr. Seuss books being taken out of publication is the issue of "Orientalism".

Take the Dr. Seuss Book "If I Ran the Zoo" for example.

From CNN.com -

"The three (and only three) Asian characters who are not wearing conical hats are carrying a White male on their heads in 'If I Ran the Zoo.' The text beneath the Asian characters describes them as 'helpers who all wear their eyes at a slant' from 'countries no one can spell"

What Dr. Seuss Books are Being Discontinued?

  • "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street"
  • "If I Ran the Zoo"
  • "McElligot's Pool"
  • "On Beyond Zebra!"
  • "Scrambled Eggs Super!"
  • "The Cat's Quizzer"

Read more at CNN.com.

Below are the covers of the six Dr. Seuss books being taken out of publication. You can click on any of the book covers to be taken to the official Dr. Seuss Store on Amazon. One thing I've noticed as I've been writing this story is that the prices for these books have skyrocketed into the thousands of dollars.

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street
Dr. Seuss Via Amazon.com
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If I Ran the Zoo
Dr. Seuss Via Amazon.com
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McElligot's Pool
Dr. Seuss Via Amazon.com
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On Beyond Zebra!
Dr. Seuss Via Amazon.com
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Scrambled Eggs Super!
Dr. Seuss Via Amazon.com
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The Cat's Quizzer
Dr. Seuss Via Amazon.com
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