The Boy On Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull
Summary:
This story shares the story of Theodor Giesel and how he becomes the infamous Dr. Seuss. It begins by talking about Giesel's life as a little boy growing up on Fairfield Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. The reader learns about how creative he was and how others did not understand his desire to draw imaginative creatures and funny poems. Eventually, his work is realized and he finds his way as an author and illustrator. The end of the book includes a 4 page biography including the major event in Giesel's life as well as the publishing of some of his more popular books.
Thoughts of a Book Worm:
I thought this was an excellent, child-friendly biography of Dr. Seuss. It would be easy for young readers to follow and enjoy. The illustrations in the book are excellent.
Reviews:
"Krull's (V Is for Victory) fond tribute to Dr. Seuss focuses on the well-loved author/artist's youth. Growing up in Springfield, Mass., Ted Geisel "feasted on books and was wild about animals" and "excelled at fooling around." The informal, anecdotal narrative explains that Geisel early on demonstrated a passion for drawing (even on his bedroom walls) "whatever popped into his head." He took only one art class, in high school, and quit when the teacher scolded him for "breaking rules" and told him he would never be successful. While attending Dartmouth, Geisel was admired for his "talent for silliness" and, Krull notes with comic irony, "He was clearly gifted, though no one knew at exactly what. It wasn't as if men could doodle for a living." The tale ends rather abruptly as the 22-year-old Geisel arrives in New York City to embark on his artistic career. A four-page addendum, presented in a smaller font, chronicles the highlights of Dr. Seuss's publishing career and provides intriguing tidbits about the creation of some of his beloved books. Johnson and Fancher's (New York's Bravest) representational, nostalgic paintings effectively evoke both the period and Geisel's appealingly puckish personality. Featured in spot art, familiar Seuss characters frolic through these pages, thematically complementing the illustrations while reminding readers why Geisel's life is worth celebrating." Ages 6-12.- Publisher's Weekly Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
"Once upon a time, there lived a boy who feasted on books and was wild about animals." So begins this young biography of Dr. Seuss. Taunted at school because he was German, his escapes were drawing, the comics he loved, and the zoo, where his father was the parks superintendent in Springfield, Mass. His high-school art teacher warned him he'd never be successful at art; in Dartmouth he was voted "Class Artist and Class Wit," and he left Oxford to draw and write verse. Truly only about his youth, the narrative ends at age 22, when Seuss goes to New York City to launch his career. Four following pages provide a synopsis of his life and a timeline up to his death in 1991. Bordered, full-page oil-on-gessoed-paper illustrations evoke pertinent scenes, while spot art of Seuss drawings dot the opposite pages. Some of these original images are absolutely haunting; the magic of his name will make this a huge hit, but it's the lively writing that puts the hat on the cat."(Picture book/biography. 7-11)-Kirkus Reviews
Suggested Activities:
This book would be an excellent read aloud or resource to use during the week of Dr. Seuss's birthday. After reading, students can then use various art materials to create a unique creature of their own using their imaginations. Afterwards, they can write a creative story telling about their unique creature.
Bibliography: Krull, K.(2004). The boy on fairfield street:how ted geisel grew up to become dr. seuss. New York: Random House Children's Books.
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