The Dr. Seuss decision

His writing was snappy. It made children happy. His stories were silly and dilly, but never too sappy.

There were Goo-Gooses, and Lorax and the Vipper of Vipp.

A Grinch, a Glotz, a Gair and a Frtiz.

They were fantastic and freaky and frivolous and funky.

But sometimes there are drawings that at the time you think are just funny, that when they are looked at with new eyes sort of hurt someone’s tummy.

He may not have meant it, but it made fun of them.

And that will never be Seussian no matter the end.

So let’s stick to the stories that everyone likes, no matter what they look like, whether they’re big or they’re tykes.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises made the right decision when, on the occasion of the late author and illustrator’s March 2 birthday, it announced that six Dr. Seuss books — including the wellknown “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” — would stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery.

The writings of Dr. Seuss, the pen name for author Theodor Seuss Geisel, will continue to bring pleasure to millions around the world. His books are filled with positive messages about being creative, proud of being different, of tolerance and environmentalism.

However, as a society we should strive to increase our efforts to treat all groups with respect and move beyond stereotypes. There is no question the images in some of these books “portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” as noted by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

No child should read a book targeted at their age and view an image that may make them feel bad or inferior about who they are and where they come from.

These books are not being banned; they will just no longer be published, a decision made, appropriately, by the group with the mission of preserving and protecting the author’s legacy.

We would urge public libraries, if they have these volumes in their collections, to move them from children’s sections into reference or other areas. They can still be used as learning tools, a basis for discussions about who we were, how we are, and how we’ve changed.

Change, after all, is a Seussian theme. Even the Grinch’s “small heart Grew three sizes” one day.