Book Review: Becoming Dr. Seuss by Brian Jones

Becoming Dr. Seuss by Brian Jones

Publisher: Penguin Group Dutton

Publication Date: May 7th, 2019

Reviewed Date: May 4th- 9th, 2019

Review Posted: May 11th, 2019

Reviewer Name: Robert Jones

Language: English

Book Length: 496 Pages

Genre: Biographies & Memoirs

ISBN: 9781524742782

About the Book

Dr. Seuss is a classic American icon. Whimsical and wonderful, his work has defined our childhoods and the childhoods of our own children. The silly, simple rhymes are a bottomless well of magic, his illustrations timeless favorites because, quite simply, he makes us laugh. The Grinch, the Cat in the Hat, Horton, and so many more, are his troupe of beloved, and uniquely Seussian, creations.

Theodor Geisel, however, had a second, more radical side. It is there that the allure and fascination of his Dr. Seuss alter ego begins. He had a successful career as an advertising man and then as a political cartoonist, his personal convictions appearing, not always subtly, throughout his books—remember the environmentalist of The Lorax? Geisel was a complicated man on an important mission. He introduced generations to the wonders of reading while teaching young people about empathy and how to treat others well.

Agonizing over word choices and rhymes, touching up drawings sometimes for years, he upheld a rigorous standard of perfection for his work. Geisel took his responsibility as a writer for children seriously, talking down to no reader, no matter how small. And with classics like Green Eggs and Ham, and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, Geisel delighted them while they learned. Suddenly, reading became fun. 

Coming right of the heels off  George Lucas and bestselling Jim Henson, Brian Jay Jones is quickly developing a reputation as a master biographer of the creative geniuses of our time

About the Author

Brian Jay Jones is the critically-acclaimed, bestselling biographer of three books on some of the world’s most iconic creative figures, including Jim Henson: The Biography and  George Lucas: A Life. For nearly three decades, he has served as a speechwriter for elected officials at all levels of government, including ten years in the United States Senate. 

Brian currently lives in Virginia with his wife and a very excitable dog.

Disclosure:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley <https://www.netgalley.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review

Wow!!!! How do you find the words to express gratitude to a man and his life's work. There's just no words. By his death in 1991, he had published forty-eight illustrated books. That doesn't even include the books that they found in his so called "Bone Pile."

The Author, Brian Jones did an amazing job researching Dr. Seuss's life. From the early years of his life, up until his untimely passing. I thank him for such an amazing insight, but at the same time; I do not like how on the cover there is a line that says, "New York Times Bestselling Author of Jim Henson: The Biography." If you want to put that on someone's life story, put it on the back on the book or in your Bio. Don't draw people's attention away from Dr. Seuss's legacy and the amazing work he has done.

I hope I have not been to harsh and I apologize if I have hurt anybody' s feelings. In all "Becoming Dr.Seuss was a great read, it was well worth the week it took too read and would love to read some of his earlier work.

To Dr. Seuss I say, " Thank you for everything. My hat is off to you, sir."