Oh, The Places He'll Go

The Boy on Fairfield Street

by Kathleen Krull

Summary

Located just three blocks from the public library and six blocks from the zoo, the house at 74 Fairfield Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, was the perfect home for the young boy who would grow up to become Dr. Seuss. As a boy, Ted Geisel loved books and animals, as well as drawing, playing and generally being silly and having fun.

The Boy on Fairfield Street is a wonderful look at the childhood and early years of the author we all know as Dr. Seuss. Despite feeling out of place and not excelling in school, Geisel pursued his passions for drawing and writing, eventually finding newspapers and magazines that wanted to publish his work. This picture book biography tells the tale of his life from childhood to when he arrives in New York to start making a career for himself.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Most every child knows the name of Dr. Seuss, but how many know how he got that name? The Boy on Fairfield Street was a delight to read, and I eagerly absorbed every bit of information, from the details about Dr. Seuss’ childhood activities to the detailed account of his career in the author's notes at the end of the book. The beautiful illustrations are a wonderful accompaniment to the true-life facts of this biography, and many of Seuss' familiar characters appear above the page numbers. This is a must-read for any Seuss fan!

Reviews

Before Geisel became Dr. Seuss, he was a boy who "feasted on books and was wild about animals." This introductory sentence begins a delightful picture-book biography about Geisel that chronicles how he became an innovative writer and illustrator beloved by readers young and old ... Krull's pithy text is extended by full-page paintings that glow with the memory of yesteryear and capture the mix of humor and poignancy that comes with trying to fit in. - Booklist

In the library

Young Ted Geisel enjoyed drawing pictures that “broke the rules”. Giant fish, elephants with extra-large ears, horses with wings. Give children drawing materials and encourage them to draw some animals that “break the rules”. Make a “zoo” on a wall or display board where the children can display their animals.

For discussion, ask children what their favorite Dr. Seuss books are and what they like about them.

SLIS 5420

Module 12

Nov. 15-22