Dr. Seuss died in 1991. Seven new books have been published under his name since his death. The difference between this situation and what’s going on with Harper Lee is there is no controversy surrounding the release of his books after his death. It probably helps that he’s probably more popular now than he was during his lifetime.
What Pet Should I Get? is his newest book to be released posthumously. If you’re questioning my above statement about his popularity, then let me tell you a fun fact. This new book is currently the top selling book on Amazon. That’s right. It’s outselling Go Set a Watchman.
The main reason I’m writing this today is to talk about his popularity rather than his new book. Is there anyone in America who doesn’t at least know his name? I’ve stated on here several times that I’ve never actually read one of his books, but I could probably name 5+ just off the top of my head. And I’m not the only one. I read from a reputable source that he’s sold more than 450 million books since his death. I mean, holy shit. Wow. That number is simply ridiculous. I’m not sure there’s another author out there who could sell that many books in the first 25 years after his or her death. And there will be even more books forthcoming.
What I want to ask y’all is why you think he’s managed to remain so popular in the two and a half decades since his death. Sure there are some authors who will always sell books no matter how long it’s been since their death, but he’s basically outselling all living authors right now besides the handful of mega bestsellers! How? Someone enlighten me because I’m really curious.
You can view the Amazon product page for the new book here.
On this day in 2014 I published United Way’s Reading Together Program.
Johnny Reads 
Never read a Dr. Seuss book? Do yourself a favor and plop down in the children’s section of a book store and read a few – they are insane and amazing and embody the nonsensical chaos of a child’s mind.
Even as an adult “The Places You’ll Go” and “The Sneetches” are worth a look.
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I honestly don’t think it’ll happen. I have no desire to read his work.
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Dr. Seuss’s work was fun, whimsical and it showed kids that reading and writing could take them farther than the physically possible. It sparked imaginations, and it makes for stories this generation of kids will pass on to the next, and the next, and so on.
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I think you answered simply and perfectly.
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His books are the perfect books for kids (or anyone, if you enjoy crazy, nonsensical things, like I do), so there’s that factor. I loved it when my mom read them to me, and I love reading them to my little sister. They’re just really fun. 🙂
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Hmm. Do you still read them?
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On my own? Once in a while, if I come across them while surfing the bookshelves. It’s like a throwback to when I was a little kid; you know, sentimental, nostalgic, all that jazz.
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I don’t have any books like that. Mostly TV shows. Or movies.
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Mmm, yeah, I guess most people have something like that, whether it’s shows, books, movies, or even songs.
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Mhm. 90s cartoons. And some early 2000s music. 😍
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I used to have a huge book filled with his stories that I’d read a lot. I think they’re different from a lot of other books out there so they grab people’s attention and manage to hold it. They’re easy for kids who are learning to read, they’re imaginative, and have a heart to them. I haven’t read one in years, but I still remember the ones I did read almost perfectly. And I still find myself watching the Grinch special on TV every year. They just never leave you.
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Hmm. Do you happen to still have that huge book?
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I think that because fantasy books have been so huge lately, people are more willing to overlook the silliness of his words (which are pure genius, by the way) and buy his books for them and their kids. I’ve also read that his widow is quite strict on what she allows to be done to her late husband’s works. I believe she vetoed certain film rights because previous Seuss movies hadn’t done the author and the books justice. If the late Dr. Seuss has such a stalwart champion still living and doing their best to honor his memory and his wishes, then it’s no surprise how popular he’s become since his death.
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Hmm. But silly words and catchy phrases don’t sell hundreds of millions of books. Maybe Millions. Maybe even tens of millions. I don’t know. Maybe there is no explaining it. And I haven’t read anything about his widow. So I have no idea. But I’m almost certain more books are coming.
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Great! I’ve always loved his stuff. As for what’s selling all those books… if my theory isn’t correct, I don’t really know why they’re selling so well.
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Maybe it’s all a big sham.
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Then it’s the most successful and best hidden sham I’ve ever known.
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Nah. There’s that billionaire guy who took everyone’s money. I can’t think of his name.
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??? I don’t know about him.
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Bernie Madoff!
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Nope. Never heard of him.
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I just read that he stole $800 million from investors. Basically for himself. And he got sentences to 150 years or something in prison, but he lived the life.
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Interesting… People amaze me. And often not in a good way.
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Give me $800 million over 30 years and you can sentence me to however many years you want. 😂
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Hahahaa!!! Will do!
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Do you need my account number?
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I think the art work and the words compliment each other in a brilliant way. He has managed to tap into something that really speaks to children.
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No doubt about that. I’d like to know how many adults read his work. Because when you’re selling the number of books he is, it isn’t just parents buying for kids.
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But you would have two or three generations of parents buying these books. Very few author’s have that kind of built in audience.
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Good point. I’m still struggling to see it.
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His imagination, the rhyming words, the nonsense but still deep values that gives to any reader are what make him one of my favourite authors ( consider that English is not even my first language!)
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Hmm. Okay.
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