The White House will include Dr. Seuss’s books in its annual Reading Day Across America, after removing the author’s books from the event Last year.
On Tuesday, President Biden followed the tradition of proclaiming March 2 National Reading Day across America. The event, founded by the National Education Association in 1998 to promote reading among children, is held annually on Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
“For many young Americans, the path to literacy begins with treasured and timeless traditions,” President Biden said in his proclamation. ‘Children’s classics like Dr Seuss’ Green eggs and ham and Oh, the places you will go! have inspired a passion for reading and endless creativity that spans generations.
“Today’s stories and adventures are as diverse as the world we live in, and by reading them we come to better understand the dynamic diversity of our nation – and the world,” the White House said. “This is particularly important as young people learn and grow with their own sense of identity.”
Last year the National Education Association moved away from Dr. Seuss books to focus on more diverse children’s books. The removal of the books by the author – whose real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel – came after scrutiny over his use of racist undertones and tropes in his work.
When asked why the author’s books were excluded from the celebration in 2021, White House press secretary Jen Psaki directed the comment to the Department of Education.
“As we celebrate the love of reading and nurture diverse and representative authors, it is especially important that we ensure that all children can see themselves represented and celebrated in the books they read,” he said. she declared. Forbes
Following the controversy, Dr Seuss The companies pulled six books from publication over their use of “hurtful and misguided” images. The company, which manages the author’s estate, explained in a declaration last year that it had worked “with a panel of experts, including educators” to review its catalog, keeping in mind the values of “hope, inspiration, inclusion and friendship”.
