Six children’s books written decades ago by Dr Seuss have been withdrawn from publication because they contain racist and callous images, the company set up to preserve the legacy of the deceased author said on Tuesday.
The Books – “And Thinking I Saw It On Mulberry Street”, “If I Run The Zoo”, “McElligot’s Pool”, “On Beyond Zebra!” “Great scrambled eggs!” and “The Cat’s Quizzer” – are among more than 60 classics written by Dr. Seuss, the pseudonym of American writer and illustrator Theodor Geisel, who died in 1991.
“These books portray people in hurtful and reprehensible ways,” Dr Seuss Enterprises said in a statement explaining why he was stopping their publication.
The business that preserves and protects Dr. Seuss’ legacy has announced it will stop publishing six titles because of racist and insensitive imagery.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press in a statement on Tuesday, the author and illustrator’s birthday, that the books portray people in ways that are hurtful.
“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong. 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,” the organization said in a statement.
The decision follows months of deliberation.
“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 catalog of titles,” it said.
Books by Dr. Seuss, who was born Theodor Geisel in 1904 and died in 1991, still remain beloved. His works earned his estate an estimated $33 million before taxes in 2020. However, his books have been increasingly criticized over the way Blacks, Asians and other groups are portrayed.
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