Imagine That!

How Dr. Seuss Wrote The Cat in the Hat

Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
$6.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Random House Books for Young Readers
On sale Sep 12, 2017 | 978-0-553-51098-0
Age 3-7 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD600L | Fountas & Pinnell Q
Sales rights: US, Canada, Open Mkt
A lively new picture-book biography of the most beloved children’s book author of all time: Dr. Seuss!

Have you ever wondered how the great Dr. Seuss wrote his most famous book? Did you know that for The Cat in the Hat, he wasn’t allowed to make up the fun words he was known for—like OOBLECK and IT-KUTCH and HIPPO-NO-HUNGUS? He was only allowed to use words from a very strict list!
 
This bouncy account of the early career of Dr. Seuss (a.k.a. Ted Geisel) proves that sometimes limitations can be the best inspiration of all.
 
Kid-friendly prose (with Seussian rhyme for Ted’s dialogue) and whimsical illustrations by award winner Kevin Hawkes recall the work of Dr. Seuss himself. Writing tips from Dr. Seuss and exclusive letters from the author and illustrator, detailing how they created this book, are included!

  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Louisiana Young Reader's Choice Master List
"Buoyantly told, rich in insights into the creative process as well as the crafts of writing, illustrating, and storytelling."—Kirkus Reviews starred review

"It’s an engrossing and amusing glimpse of creativity in action and the making of a children’s book classic."—Publishers Weekly starred review

About

A lively new picture-book biography of the most beloved children’s book author of all time: Dr. Seuss!

Have you ever wondered how the great Dr. Seuss wrote his most famous book? Did you know that for The Cat in the Hat, he wasn’t allowed to make up the fun words he was known for—like OOBLECK and IT-KUTCH and HIPPO-NO-HUNGUS? He was only allowed to use words from a very strict list!
 
This bouncy account of the early career of Dr. Seuss (a.k.a. Ted Geisel) proves that sometimes limitations can be the best inspiration of all.
 
Kid-friendly prose (with Seussian rhyme for Ted’s dialogue) and whimsical illustrations by award winner Kevin Hawkes recall the work of Dr. Seuss himself. Writing tips from Dr. Seuss and exclusive letters from the author and illustrator, detailing how they created this book, are included!

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Louisiana Young Reader's Choice Master List

Praise

"Buoyantly told, rich in insights into the creative process as well as the crafts of writing, illustrating, and storytelling."—Kirkus Reviews starred review

"It’s an engrossing and amusing glimpse of creativity in action and the making of a children’s book classic."—Publishers Weekly starred review