The beloved author Dr. Seuss is one of the most recognizable figures in children’s literature. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, he later called La Jolla home for 50 years starting in 1948.

His creative legacy lives on in the community today with his artwork on display at the Legends Gallery. The Gallery also features other local artists’ whimsical and bold contemporary art.

On March 1, we hosted a successful Storytime Scavenger Hunt at La Jolla Village, welcoming almost 600 attendees with around 160 families!

Here are five fun facts about the mind behind many stories and artworks. 

1. His Real Name Wasn’t Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss was born Theodor Seuss Geisel in 1904. He created his famous pen name by combining his middle name with the prefix “Dr.” to honor his father’s wish that he study medicine. He first used the pseudonym to continue writing after being banned from his school magazine. 

2. He Wrote Green Eggs and Ham on a Dare

Dr. Seuss’ publisher, Bennett Cerf, made a $50 bet with him that he couldn’t write an entertaining children’s story using only 50 different words. The result? Dr. Seuss went on to write Green Eggs and Ham, which became one of the most popular children’s books of all time. 

3. He Created New Words We Still Use Today

Words such as “nerd” and “grinch” were created by none other than Dr. Seuss himself. “Nerd” first appeared in his 1950 book, If I Ran the Zoo, and “grinch” started being used widely after the release of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 

4. His Birthday is a National Celebration

March 2 is celebrated across the United States as Read Across America Day. The celebration aims to encourage kids everywhere to discover the joy of reading. 

5. He Won 3 Academy Awards
Beyond writing books, Dr. Seuss also worked in film. One of the Oscars he won was for the documentary Design for Death in 1947, showcasing his talents beyond children’s literature.