Six Dr. Seuss books will soon no longer be published due to their racist and insensitive imagery, including such titles as And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and If I Ran the Zoo.
Today the business that manages the late author's works made the announcement, stating, "These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong."
In addition to And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and If I Ran the Zoo, publication will cease for the Dr. Seuss titles McElligot's Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super! and The Cat's Quizzer.
While the announcement to cease the publication and sales of the books arrived today — which happens to be Dr. Seuss' birthday — the decision was actually made last year after much debate and discussion, Dr. Seuss Enterprises told the Associated Press.
"Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises' catalogue represents and supports all communities and families," the company said.
It went on to add: "Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalogue of titles."
Among the offending images include "a Chinese man with sticks" in And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, with the character having two lines for eyes as he can be seen holding chopsticks and a bowl. In If I Ran the Zoo, meanwhile, there is a scene where two bare-footed men are described as being from Africa and wear grass skirts while carrying exotic animals.
In response to the decision, Dr. Seuss' publisher Random House Children Books said, "We respect the decision of Dr. Seuss Enterprises and the work of the panel that reviewed this content last year, and their recommendation."
Today the business that manages the late author's works made the announcement, stating, "These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong."
In addition to And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and If I Ran the Zoo, publication will cease for the Dr. Seuss titles McElligot's Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super! and The Cat's Quizzer.
While the announcement to cease the publication and sales of the books arrived today — which happens to be Dr. Seuss' birthday — the decision was actually made last year after much debate and discussion, Dr. Seuss Enterprises told the Associated Press.
"Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises' catalogue represents and supports all communities and families," the company said.
It went on to add: "Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalogue of titles."
Among the offending images include "a Chinese man with sticks" in And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, with the character having two lines for eyes as he can be seen holding chopsticks and a bowl. In If I Ran the Zoo, meanwhile, there is a scene where two bare-footed men are described as being from Africa and wear grass skirts while carrying exotic animals.
In response to the decision, Dr. Seuss' publisher Random House Children Books said, "We respect the decision of Dr. Seuss Enterprises and the work of the panel that reviewed this content last year, and their recommendation."
