1. BibliographyKrull, Kathleen. 2004. The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss. Ill. by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375922985
2. Plot Summary
The childhood and youth of Ted Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, are told in this picture book biography. The story begins, “Once upon a time, there lived a boy who feasted on books and was wild about animals.” It goes on to tell of his love of drawing and making others laugh as well as the troubles that he faced being a German in the United States during the first World War. The story continues with Ted surprising many by attending Dartmouth College and writing for the college humor magazine and with Ted going to Oxford and meeting his future wife. It ends when he is twenty-two and “his future looked bright.” Additional pages complete Ted’s life “On Beyond Fairfield Street” and provide a bibliography of works written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss.
3. Critical Analysis
Krull’s informative biography about the childhood and youth of Dr. Seuss gives readers a glimpse into the author and illustrator’s formative years where many of his ideas came from. The information is presented in the style of a story. It begins with when and where he was born along with information about his family and community. It continues with his school years and college until he moves to New York to make it on his own. Krull includes his successes (winning first prize in the Springfield Union’s drawing contest) and disappointments (not receiving a medal from ex-President Theodore Roosevelt for selling the Liberty Bonds because the Boy Scouts did not make sure there were enough). The supplementary pages of information about Geisel’s life help complete the story of Dr. Seuss while the addition of “For Further Reading” and the websites encourage readers to learn more.
The full page paintings by Johnson and Fancher further create the setting and a feeling of nostalgia begun by Krull’s well-written text. The soft, muted illustrations complement the visual created by Krull. The inclusion of Geisel’s own drawings adds a little Seuss-flavor to the tale of his life.
4. Review Excerpts and Awards
Starred review in Kirkus Reviews: “The magic of his name will make this a huge hit, but it’s the lively writing that puts the hat on the cat.”
Starred review in School Library Journal: “This picture-book biography is a winner...Krull’s work is a terrific look at the boyhood of one of the most beloved author/illustrators of the 20th century.”
Review in BookList: “A delightful picture-book biography about Geisel that chronicles how he became an innovative writer and illustrator beloved by readers young and old.”
Review in Library Media Connection: “Kathleen Krull presents a touching view of the life of Ted Geisel from early childhood visiting the zoo to his young adult years at Dartmouth College, as well as the poignant events that shaped his life.”
Review in Horn Book
Review in Publisher’s Weekly
5. Connections
· Use this title in connection with Read Across America day in March. Can be used as promotion or to provide history behind the day.
· Collective biographies by Kathleen Krull:
Lives of Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (And What the Neighbors Thought). ISBN 9780152480097
Lives of Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (And What the Neighbors Thought). ISBN 9780152001032
Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (And What the Neighbors Thought). ISBN 9780152008079
Lives of Presidents: Fame, Shame (And What the Neighbors Thought). ISBN 9780152008086
Lives of Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (And What the Neighbors Thought). ISBN 9780152480103
Lives of Athletes: Thrills, Spills (And What the Neighbors Thought). ISBN 9780152008062
· Other biographies by Kathleen Krull:
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez. ISBN 9780152014377
Presenting Paula Danzinger. ISBN 9780805741537
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolf Became the World’s Fastest Woman. ISBN 9780152012670
Marie Curie. ISBN 9780670058945
Leonardo da Vinci. ISBN 9780670059201
