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I learned that the author and the artist of the Dr Suess books are one in the same. He was a great talent!
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The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss
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These fabulous, whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never shown to the public, show Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) in a whole new light. Depicting outlandish creatures in otherworldly settings, the paintings use a dazzling rainbow of hues not seen in the primary-color palette of his books for children, and exhibit a sophisticated and often quite unrestrained side of the artist.
If you've ever read Oh, the Places You'll Go!, 'Cat in the Hat', Horton Hears a Who, or any of the dozens of books written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel, you may think you're familiar with the work of the man who delighted millions as "Dr. Seuss." But the wildly imaginative creations collected in these pages show a previously unseen dimension of Geisel's art. These fabulous and whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never before shown in public, will enchant and amaze you.
"There was certainly nothing cookie-cutter, bland or trendy about Ted Grisel... You have entered Seuss-ville, where questions and doubts are left at the door... Enjoy yourself" writes Maurice Sendak, the esteemed author of Where the Wild Things Are, in his introduction to this wonderful book of sophisticated, technically accomplished artwork. Open these pages to see a whole new facet to an artist that has captivated readers of all ages for decades.
Book Contents: 65 color illustrations, and Introduction by Maurice Sendak & more.
If you've ever read Oh, the Places You'll Go!, 'Cat in the Hat', Horton Hears a Who, or any of the dozens of books written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel, you may think you're familiar with the work of the man who delighted millions as "Dr. Seuss." But the wildly imaginative creations collected in these pages show a previously unseen dimension of Geisel's art. These fabulous and whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never before shown in public, will enchant and amaze you.
"There was certainly nothing cookie-cutter, bland or trendy about Ted Grisel... You have entered Seuss-ville, where questions and doubts are left at the door... Enjoy yourself" writes Maurice Sendak, the esteemed author of Where the Wild Things Are, in his introduction to this wonderful book of sophisticated, technically accomplished artwork. Open these pages to see a whole new facet to an artist that has captivated readers of all ages for decades.
Book Contents: 65 color illustrations, and Introduction by Maurice Sendak & more.
95 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3,1995
This edition
- Format
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95 pages, Hardcover
- Published
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October 3, 1995 by Random House
- ISBN
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9780679434481
- ASIN
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0679434488
- Language
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English
About the author
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Theodor Seuss Geisel was born 2 March 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1925, and proceeded on to Oxford University with the intent of acquiring a doctorate in literature. At Oxford he met Helen Palmer, who he wed in 1927. He returned from Europe in 1927, and began working for a magazine called Judge, the leading humor magazine in America at the time, submitting both cartoons and humorous articles for them. Additionally, he was submitting cartoons to Life, Vanity Fair and Liberty. In some of his works, he'd made reference to an insecticide called Flit. These references gained notice, and led to a contract to draw comic ads for Flit. This association lasted 17 years, gained him national exposure, and coined the catchphrase "Quick, Henry, the Flit!"
In 1936 on the way to a vacation in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 43 publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.
During World War II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's for Hitler Lives and Design for Death). He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing which also won him an Oscar.
In May of 1954, Life published a report concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Geisel's publisher, and prompted him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat, which went on to instant success.
In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham. Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.
Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.
Also worked under the pen name: Theo Le Sieg
In 1936 on the way to a vacation in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 43 publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.
During World War II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's for Hitler Lives and Design for Death). He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing which also won him an Oscar.
In May of 1954, Life published a report concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Geisel's publisher, and prompted him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat, which went on to instant success.
In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham. Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.
Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.
Also worked under the pen name: Theo Le Sieg
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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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This is an amazingly fast read as there is very little text. I read the letter from his wife and the Intro which was by......bugger the book is downstairs and I have forgotten the artists name. Who did Where the Wild Things Are? Anyway it was a good intro as well. It gave some background to one of the paintings that is in the book and about Ted Giesel as well.
There are many full page color images of artwork. Not just paintings and drawings but some sculpture as well. I never knew he did any sculptures. Many of these were his private collection. As they are in chronological order you can see how much of his style was there right from the beginning and how it fully flushed out a little later. One or two have little things to them that are more for adults but nothing too bad that you could not let your kid see.
I do wish it had more background though on each image. One is probably Horton but it is just marked as an elephant. Was it a study for the book? Looks like it could be but I don't know that one that well. All we get is the title, year and what each artwork is made of. Nothing else. Nothing. I found this a bit frustrating. Some of the images are so close to a particular book you wonder if they were studies or items that were intended for the book but got edited out later? No way of knowing. This is why I only gave it three stars. I would have loved to have given it 4. I used to work in an art museum. You would get more information on each of these paintings with the little card they hang next to an artwork telling about it than you get from this book. And I found that really, really sad for the fans of his artwork.
There are many full page color images of artwork. Not just paintings and drawings but some sculpture as well. I never knew he did any sculptures. Many of these were his private collection. As they are in chronological order you can see how much of his style was there right from the beginning and how it fully flushed out a little later. One or two have little things to them that are more for adults but nothing too bad that you could not let your kid see.
I do wish it had more background though on each image. One is probably Horton but it is just marked as an elephant. Was it a study for the book? Looks like it could be but I don't know that one that well. All we get is the title, year and what each artwork is made of. Nothing else. Nothing. I found this a bit frustrating. Some of the images are so close to a particular book you wonder if they were studies or items that were intended for the book but got edited out later? No way of knowing. This is why I only gave it three stars. I would have loved to have given it 4. I used to work in an art museum. You would get more information on each of these paintings with the little card they hang next to an artwork telling about it than you get from this book. And I found that really, really sad for the fans of his artwork.
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This is the coolest book, including some interesting nudes. Dr. Seuss grows up, and you see a darker, more interesting side to who he is.
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Dr. Seuss is just one of the coolest children's author ever, and he's not a bad artist, either. Maybe not the best, but it is still fun to see his quirky work.
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Love this book. I went to the art exhibition of the featured artwork found in the book. A local art gallery in my town hosted the show and I bought the book at that time. The secret art of the great Dr. was on loan to the art gallery. It seemed as though you were spending time with the master himself. Reading the notes attached to the art and letters that accompany the exhibit. Fascinating!
The book is simply a treasure of fantastic artwork that shows the genius of this master artist and continues to inspire.
The book is simply a treasure of fantastic artwork that shows the genius of this master artist and continues to inspire.
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Maurice Sendak in the intro be playing into the conservative "cancel culture and political correctness" complex despite there being a total of ONE kinda racial picture and it's really tame ? Weird stuff, great art !!!!!
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I love to see his dirty cartoons.
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how fabulous is this book
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