About a month ago I bought a used Dr. Seuss book from a yard sale for a quarter. It’s Dr. Seuss’s Dictionary. I quickly glanced through it at the yard sale and thought the pictures would please Monkey. Well, he does really like the book. We read it everyday.
However, as we’ve gone through all of the pages now, I’ve noticed some things that aren’t really kosher by today’s standards. The book was originally published in 1964 and re-copyrighted in 1992 according to the inside of the book. Here are some examples which I think if published today, might not make it to the printing press:
| The first one — the mother bear spanking the baby bears — is a little disturbing. I understand that in the 60s, corporal punishment was acceptable by many, maybe most people. Today this is not usually recommended to parents as hitting teaches children that violence is a means of getting what you want. |
 Little disturbing ... |
| The second one, is deprecated nomenclature, now considered very politically incorrect unless spoken by a comedian trying to make a joke (Todd Glass or Lisa Lampanelli have both made jokes about this distinction) |
 Hmm ... is this politically correct? |
| This one uses the stereotypical “Indian” depiction again but I included it because Monkey thinks he’s a bunny rabbit and each time we get to this page, he makes the sign for rabbit! |
 Monkey thought he was a rabbit |
| I included this one just because I think it’s funny. One, because for some reason the word “nut” cracks me up. I’m immature like that. Plus, the annoyed look on the monkey’s face is pretty hilarious. I guess I’m a sucker for slapstick, even in print. |
 This one is just funny. |
hey there’s no rhyming! those are funny!
That was good for a chuckle! Thanks!
Look at the face on the bear getting spanked!
Oh my gosh! Those are so funny. The treasures you find at yard sales. And speaking of yard sales, this makes me think of your mom. I’ve been having the urge to hit up yard sales and estate sales lately. If I were a bit more organized…
This is brilliant. I’m shocked that he didn’t include other 1960′s chestnuts like “Oriental.” Frankly, given what he drew for “whack”–”nut” could have been a whole lot worse.