Dr. Seuss Publisher Ends Sales Of 6 Books For Insensitive Imagery

SAN DIEGO, CA — The publisher of Dr. Seuss' catalog announced Tuesday that it will cease sales and publication of six of the famed children's author and former La Jolla resident's books due to "hurtful and wrong" portrayals.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that following a review of Seuss' titles, a decision was reached last year to halt publication and licensing of "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," "If I Ran the Zoo," "McElligot's Pool," "On Beyond Zebra!," "Scrambled Eggs Super!," and "The Cat's Quizzer."

"These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong," Dr. Seuss Enterprises said in a statement. "Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises' catalog represents and supports all communities and families."

Though the statement did not specifically reference racism or which portrayals were at issue, criticisms of racially insensitive depictions within Seuss' body of work have been increasing in recent years.

In 2018, the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum located in Seuss' hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts replaced a mural featuring a scene from "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" due to a depiction of a Chinese character wearing a pointed hat and eating with chopsticks.

Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, lived in La Jolla until his death in 1991.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises made its announcement on what would have been Geisel's 117th birthday.

— City News Service