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a14 people & arts
Thursday 3 March 2022
New Dr. Seuss-inspired books to feature diverse creators

By MARK PRATT ists starting their publishing
Sketches of fantastic crea- careers, the company said.
tures by Dr. Seuss that have The company seems genu-
never before been pub- ine in its efforts to address
lished will see the light of inclusiveness, said Pamela
day in new books being Good, president of Beyond
written and illustrated by Basics, a Michigan-based
an inclusive group of up- nonprofit that promotes lit-
and-coming authors and eracy.
artists, the company that "We believe that literacy
owns the intellectual prop- is for everyone," she said.
erty rights to Dr. Seuss' works "And as you try to find solu-
announced Wednesday. tions that really are thought-
The new line of books will ful and are heartfelt, they
include original stories in- really do embrace every-
spired by previously unpub- one and allow everybody
lished illustrations selected to be celebrated. And I
from the author's archives think that what they're do-
at the University of Califor- ing right now is is a step in
nia San Diego, Dr. Seuss En- the right direction."
terprises said in a statement Dr. Seuss Enterprises has
on the late writer's birthday. not yet disclosed the writ-
The announcement comes A mural that features Theodor Seuss Geisel, left, also known by his pen name Dr. Seuss, covers part ers and illustrators who will
of a wall near an entrance at The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, May 4, 2017, in Springfield,
exactly one year after the Mass. work on the new books be-
business founded by the Associated Press cause contracts are still be-
family of Dr. Seuss — whose ing ironed out.
real name was Theodor Se- their hair tied above their know will bring their unique ed in the book, along with The first of the new books
uss Geisel — announced heads. The other books af- voices and style to the a note from the creators is expected to hit shelves
that it would stop publish- fected were "McElligot's page, while also drawing explaining how they were next year, and the goal is
ing six Dr. Seuss titles be- Pool," "On Beyond Zebra!," inspiration from the creativ- inspired, and their process," to publish at least two new
cause they include racist "Scrambled Eggs Super!," ity and imagination of Dr. the San Diego-based com- books per year.
and insensitive images, a and "The Cat's Quizzer." Seuss," Susan Brandt, Presi- pany said. Dr. Seuss books such as
decision that drew both The new authors and illus- dent and CEO of Dr. Seuss The images include a cat- "Green Eggs and Ham" and
condemnation and praise. trators will represent a di- Enterprises, said in a state- like creature with enormous "The Cat in the Hat" remain
In "And to Think That I Saw verse cross-section of racial ment. The books, under ears and a series of colorful popular more than 30 years
It on Mulberry Street," an backgrounds to represent the banner Seuss Studios hummingbirds with pointy after Geisel's death in 1991.
Asian person is portrayed as many families as pos- and published by Random noses. He earned an estimated
wearing a conical hat, sible, Dr. Seuss Enterprises House Children's Books, will The goal is to continue $35 million in 2021, making
holding chopsticks and said. Company officials be geared toward readers Geisel's legacy, started in him the fifth-highest paid
eating from a bowl. "If I Ran were not available to com- ages 4 to 8. 1957 with the launch of dead celebrity of the year,
the Zoo" includes a draw- ment, a spokesperson said. "The original Dr. Seuss sketch the Beginner Books imprint according to Forbes. Roald
ing of two bare-footed Afri- "We look forward to putting that serves as the inspiration at Random House, of in- Dahl is No. 1, followed by
can men wearing what ap- the spotlight on a new gen- for each of the new Seuss spiring young readers and Prince, Michael Jackson
pear to be grass skirts with eration of talent who we Studios books will be includ- supporting writers and art- and Charles Schulz.q

Broadway theater will be renamed after James Earl Jones

NEW YORK (AP) — The Shu- commitments for the the- all aspiring actors."
bert Organization's Cort ater industry to ensure eq- Jones has appeared in 21
Theatre on Broadway will uity, diversity, inclusion and Broadway productions,
be renamed after James accessibility. including two at the Cort
Earl Jones, fulfilling a prom- One requirement of the Theatre. He is an Emmy-
ise by the theater giant to New Deal for Broadway , Grammy-, Oscar- and
honor a Black artist in such is that the Shubert, Ned- Tony-winner, including
a way. erlander and Jujamcyn stage awards for best ac-
The James Earl Jones The- chains have at least one of tor for "The Great White
atre renaming is "in recog- their theaters named after Hope" and "Fences," as
nition of Mr. Jones' lifetime a Black artist. (Jujamcyn well as a lifetime achieve-
of immense contributions already has the August Wil- ment award in 2017.
to Broadway and the en- son Theatre.) The Cort Theatre — at 138
tire artistic community," ac- "For me standing in this W. 48th St. — is 110 years
cording to a statement by very building 64 years ago old and was built by and
the Shuberts. at the start of my Broad- named for John Cort, gen-
The move comes less than way career, it would have eral manager of the North-
a year after a wide Broad- been inconceivable that western Theatrical Asso-
James Earl Jones accepts the special Tony award for Lifetime
Achievement in the Theatre at the 71st annual Tony Awards in way coalition of theater my name would be on the ciation, who died in 1929.
New York on June 11, 2017. owners, producers, union building today," Jones, 91, There are 41 Broadway
Associated Press leaders, creators and cast- said in a statement. "Let theaters — four are named
ing directors hammered my journey from then to for women and now two
By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer out a series of reforms and now be an inspiration for for Black artists.q