Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Unpublished Dr. Seuss story 'What Pet Should I Get?' set to be released July 28

The cover to new posthumous Dr. Seuss book "What Pet Should I Get?"
The cover to new posthumous Dr. Seuss book "What Pet Should I Get?"
(
Random House
)

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

An original manuscript and sketches were found at the late children's author Dr. Seuss's La Jolla, California home, and are set to be published as picture book "What Pet Should I Get?" on July 28, according to a news release from publisher Random House.

"We believe that he wrote and illustrated 'What Pet Should I Get?' somewhere between 1958 and 1962 — as the brother and sister in the book are the same as those in his bestselling 'Beginner Book One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish' which was published in 1960," said Cathy Goldsmith, Seuss's former art director who still works at Random House, in the release.

The manuscript was found in a box of items that belonged to Seuss, real name Theodore Geisel. The box was originally found shortly after his death in 1991, according to the release, when widow Audrey Geisel was remodeling her home. The box was set aside, before being rediscovered in 2013 by Audrey Geisel and longtime Seuss secretary and friend Claudia Prescott while clearing out his office.

"While undeniably special, it is not surprising to me that we found this because Ted always worked on multiple projects and started new things all the time — he was constantly writing and drawing and coming up with ideas for new stories," Audrey Geisel said, according to the release.. "It is especially heartwarming for me as this year also marks 25 years since the publication of the last book of Ted's career, 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!'"

The sketches for "What Pet Should I Get?" were nearly complete, according to the release.

The material that was found will also lead to two more posthumous Seuss books, according to the release. The materials of Seuss's that were found are set to be kept at UC San Diego, which houses the Dr. Seuss Collection at the Geisel Library.

The wildly popular children's author's books have sold more than 650 million copies worldwide, according to Random House.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today