I tend to be skeptical of discovered manuscripts, wondering if the author just didn’t finish them or consciously deemed them not right for publication. Maybe the manuscript was tucked away for good reason, and the publication of it wasn’t what the author wanted, for her/himself or for their readers. But I am curious to read this this new Dr. Seuss book. The story and sketches were found in Theodor Geisel’s home 21 years after his passing, and have been taken to final art by illustrator Andrew Joyner. The book, Dr. Seuss’s Horse Museum, is said to be full of old favs, with cameos by the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, and Horton the Elephant, among other classics. And I do like the sound of pairing Dr. Seuss’s art with “full-color photographic reproductions of horse-themed artwork by Rosa Bonheur, Deborah Butterfield, Alexander Calder, Jacob Lawrence, Franz Marc, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, George Stubbs, and more.”
Interestingly, Geisel’s former art director has been overseeing the publication of this book. “Poring over the manuscript and Ted’s original sketches for Dr. Seuss’s Horse Museum brought me right back to those days,” she says. I’ll bet it did. That’s what I’m hoping it’ll do for all those grown-ups who consider Dr. Seuss a beloved part of their youth. And I want his youngest readers to have a new treat.
When it all comes down to it, wouldn’t we all love another Dr. Seuss story that shines?
