More than just a children's author
Ted was much more than a children's author and illustrator. He was also a painter and sculptor, but he kept this side of himself very private. He feared rejection by critics and avoided selling his paintings. Ted Geisel passed away on September 24, 1991, at the age of 87, and now his artwork is being shared with the world. You can check out much of his artwork through the link at www.catinthehat.org . Besides his familiar illustrations, you will also find strange and interesting sculptures, political cartoons, and even a painting of an evil cat playing pool entitled “ The Cat From The Wrong Side Of The Tracks .”

The legacy of this children's author who is etched in our memory and whose books will most likely find homes on even our children's bookshelves is kept alive by his second wife, Audrey Geisel. There is also a national memorial in Springfield , Massachusetts with many sculptures of his storybook characters.

My motto in life is to always do what you really want to do because life is too short, and it looks like to me, that is what Theodor Seuss Geisel did. I would love to leave you with a quote from his final book, Oh, the Places You'll Go! :

“You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!”

Photo courtesy of The Bettman Archive/UPI