Judging by this clip from YouTube creator Kaptain Kristian, Dr. Seuss was low key writing absurdist rap for kids. All it needed was a beat.
Along the way, painting mythical landscapes of the mind that taught language via a poetic technique called anapestic tetrameter: “Just two unstressed syllables and one stressed syllable after.”
According to Kristian, studies have shown this rhythmic beat of language and rhyme helps children retain information. Encouraging them to read!
Theodor Seuss Geisel was the American writer behind Dr. Seuss. The scenes and characters he imagined into being are like a portal to another dimension. A jaunty, silly and hilarious world. Not a word out of place. An actual poet.
His most famous work Green Eggs and Ham gets it done in 49 words
Book stores are full to the ceiling with children’s books. Few approach the artistry of Seuss or Roald Dahl (another favourite). Sometimes the oldies are still the best.
I recommend Horton Hears a Who! as an intro movie for the kids. Starring Jim Carrey and Steve Carell, it’s hilarious and subversive like the works of Seuss. Just because no-one believes you doesn’t make you wrong. Sometimes the majority are wrong. An important lesson.
